SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE 2024–2025 INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Peer-Reviewed Proceedings Book Editors: Tanja Bagar, Daniel Siter MARIBOR, 2025 conference.almamater.si International Scientific Conference IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE 2024–2025 PEER-REVIEWED PROCEEDINGS BOOK: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Honorary Committee 2024: Dubravka Šuica, European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography; Klaus Mainzer, Presi-dent of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Felix Unger, Honorary President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Ludvik Toplak, Rector of Alma Mater Europaea University; Jurij Toplak, University Pro-fessor, Alma Mater Europaea ECM, Fordham University, President of the Organisational Committee of the It’s About People Conference; Ioannis Liritzis, Dean of Natural Sciences, European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Peter Štih, President of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts; Željko Knez, University Professor, Universi-ty of Maribor; Verica Trstenjak, Former Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EU, Professor of European Law; Tatjana Christelbauer, Founder and Director, Agency for Cultural Diplomacy Vienna; Alice Siu, Senior Re-search Scholar at Stanford University, Associate Director, Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab; Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia 2012–22; Richard James Overy, Professor, University of Exeter, Fellow of the Royal Historical Academy and British Academy; Andy Sumner, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Professor at King’s College London, Senior Fellow, United Nations Univer-si-ty; Michael Beckmann, University Professor, Dean, Technical University Dresden. Scientific and Programme Committee 2024: Klaus Mainzer (President), Ludvik Toplak, Jurij Toplak, Felix Unger, Dubravka Šuica, Ioannis Liritzis, Michael Beckmann, Peter Štih, Željko Knez, Lenart Škof, Verica Trstenjak, Barbara Toplak Perovič, Mark Franklin, Cees van der Eijk, Christopher Wlezien, Wouter van der Brug, Elias Dinas, Richard James Overy, Andy Sumner, Dany Bahar, Laurence Hewick, Jana Gor-iup, Luka Martin Tomažič, Daniel Siter, Anja Hellmuth Kramberger, Suzan-na Mežnarec Novosel, Matej Mertik, Sebastjan Kristovič, Jasmina Kristovič, Edvard Jakšič, David Bogataj, Peter Pavel Klasinc, Suzana Bračič Tomažič, Uroš Marušič, Svebor Sečak, Rosana Hribar, Polonca Pangrčič, Nataša Vid-nar, Marko Novak, Živa Arko, Tatjana Horvat, Tadej Strojnik, Nataša Štandeker, Maruša Mavsar, Nadia Manzoni, Gašper Pirc, Luka Trebežnik, Katja Holnthaner Zorec, Voyko Kavcic, Peter Vo-lasko, Howie Firth, Andraž Ivšek, Janez Potočnik, Teun J. Dekker, Carl Gombrich, Samuel Abraham, Raffaella Santi, Cirila Toplak, Daria Mustić, Paul David Crowther, Peter Seljak. Organisational Board 2024: Jurij Toplak (President), Luka Martin Tomažič (Vice-President), Daniel Siter, Anja Hellmuth Kramberger, Bar-bara Toplak Perovič, Špela Pokeržnik, Miha Jakin, Marko Benčak, Katarina Pernat, Špela Ekselenski Bečič, Petra Braček Kirbiš, Suzanna Mežnarec Novosel, Sebastjan Kristovič, Lenart Škof, Matej Mertik, Cirila Toplak, Ainhoa Lizariturry, Patricija Pongračič, Sašo Bjelić, Anja Jurše. Secretariat 2024: Luka Martin Tomažič, Daniel Siter, Marko Bencak, Katarina Pernat, Suzanna Mežnarec Novosel, Petra Braček Kirbiš, Dijana Štiglic. Honorary Committee 2025: Donato Kiniger-Passigli, World Academy of Art and Science Vice-President; Klaus Mainzer, University Professor, President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Felix Unger, Honorary President of the European Academy of Scienc-es and Arts; Ludvik Toplak, Rector of Alma Mater Europaea University; Jurij Toplak, Profes-sor, Fordham University, Alma Mater Europaea University, President of the Organisational Committee of the It’s About People Conference; Ferenc Misz-livetz, Director of the Institute of Advance Studies Köszeg, Professor, University of Pannonia; Andrei Marga, Professor and Former Rector, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca; Štefan Luby, Professor, Senior Research Fellow, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Alberto De Franceschi, Professor, University of Ferrara, KU Leuven; Sašo Grozdanov, Researcher at the Higgs Center, University of Edinburgh and Associate Professor, University of Ljubljana; Aleksander Zidanšek, Sašo Džeroski, Milena Horvat, Uroš Cvelbar, Nives Ogrinc, David Kocman, Jožef Stefan Institute; Ioannis Liritzis, Dean of Natural Sciences, European Acade-my of Sciences and Arts, Professor, Henan University, Alma Mater Europaea University. Scientific and Programme Committee 2025: Klaus Mainzer (President), Ludvik Toplak, Felix Unger, Donato Kiniger-Passigli, Jurij Toplak, Ferenc Miszlivetz, Andrei Mar-ga, Štefan Luby, Alberto De Franceschi, Sašo Grozdanov, Aleksander Zidanšek, Sašo Džeroski, Mile-na Horvat, Uroš Cvelbar, Nives Ogrinc, David Kocman, Ioannis Liritzis, Lenart Škof, Jana Goriup, Luka Martin Tomažič, Daniel Siter, Barbara Toplak Perovič, Božidar Veljković, Anja Hellmuth Kramberger, Matej Mertik, Se-bastjan Kristovič, Marija Ovsenik, Edvard Jakšič, David Bogataj, Peter Pavel Klasinc, Uroš Marušič, Svebor Sečak, Rosana Hribar, Polonca Seranno, Tatjana Horvat, Tadej Strojnik, Gašper Pirc, Luka Trebežnik, Voyko Kavcic, Peter Seljak, Mladen Radujković. Organisational Board 2025: Jurij Toplak (President), Luka Martin Tomažič (Vice-President), Daniel Siter, Anja Hellmuth Kramberger, Barbara Toplak Perovič, Špela Pokeržnik, Tanja Angleitner Sagadin, Blaž Podobnik, Miha Jakin, Marko Bencak, Katari-na Pernat, Špela Ekselenski Bečič, Petra Braček Kirbiš, Suzanna Mežnarec Novosel, Sebastjan Kristovič, Lenart Škof, Matej Mertik, Ainhoa Lizariturry, Patricija Pongračič, Sašo Bjelić, Anja Jurše, Jasmina Kristovič, Maruša Mavsar, Katja Holnthaner Zorec. Secretariat 2025: Luka Martin Tomažič, Daniel Siter, Blaž Podobnik, Marko Bencak, Tanja Angleitner Sagadin, Špela Pokeržnik, Katarina Pernat, Petra Braček Kirbiš, Dijana Štiglic, Nataša Štandeker. Editors: Tanja Bagar, Daniel Siter Technical Editor: Blaž Podobnik Reviewers: Tanja Bagar, Marko Homšak, Marko Šetinc, Ana Vovk Korže, Luka Trebežnik Pre-Press Preparation and Graphic Design: Tjaša Pogorevc s.p Edition: 1st Online Edition Place: Maribor Publisher: Alma Mater Europaea University, Alma Mater Press For the Publisher: Ludvik Toplak Year of Publishing: 2025 Available at: https://press.almamater.si/index.php/amp/catalog/category/CONF Kataložni zapis o publikaciji (CIP) pripravili v Narodni in univerzitetni knjižnici v Ljubljani COBISS.SI-ID 257569795 ISBN 978-961-7183-84-9 (PDF) The statements, opinions, claims, and information in this publication are solely those of the authors of the contributions and not of Alma Mater Press and/or the editors. Alma Mater Press and/or the editor(s) disclaim any liability for any injury to persons or property resulting from any idea, method, instruction, or product mentioned in the content. Without the written permission of the publisher, the reproduction, distribution, rental, public communication, adaptation, or any other use of this work or parts thereof, in any form or by any means, including photocopying, printing, or storage in electronic form, is prohibited under the current Copyright and Related Rights Act. The 12th and 13th Annual Conferences of Europe’s Sciences and Arts Leaders and Scholars International Scientific Conferences IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE 2024: In Service of Sustainability and Dignity 2025: Social and Technological Resilience for Health and Sustainable Development Peer-Reviewed Proceedings Book SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 1st Online Edition Editors: Tanja Bagar, Daniel Siter Maribor, 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS Pe INTE er-RRN evAT ieIO EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION 9 wN edAL S PrCIE 2024 11 o ceN ed Veronika Tóthová, Milan Fi ľ a 13TIF ingIC C STARTUPS AS AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP s BoON Mohammad Roozbeh, Hossein Safari, Mohsen Moradi-Moghadam, Mohammad Mahoud 24 okFER PRESENTING THE SUSTAINABILITY MODEL OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: : SEN U A META-SYNTHESIS APPROACHCE I ST A INT'S A Urška Starc Peceny, Katarina Ceglar, Matevž Straus, Andraž Orehar, Vesna Kobal, A BB Petra Škodlar, Tomi Ilijaš 32O LEU SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PLANNING TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS - DT P EV THE TOURISM 4.0 EXPERIENCEEO EL OPPL Franc Vidic 43E 2 M TORRENTIAL FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES – SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY EN02 T4–2 Melita Srpak, Silvija Zeman, Tanja Bagar 5202 ANALIZA PRISOTNOSTI TEŽKIH KOVIN V INDUSTRIJSKIH ODPADKIH IN NJIHOV UČINEK 5 NA OKOLJE / ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METAL PRESENCE IN INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 2025 59 Renata Čupić, Josipa Pleša 61 DIGITALIZATION AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS IN MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES IN CROATIA: BUILDING RESILIENCE WITHOUT MANDATORY REPORTING Mihaela Brankova 75 URBAN MOBILITY MEASURES FOR HEALTHIER FUTURE: ADAPTING MADRID’S LOW EMISSION ZONES MODEL FOR SOFIA Marko Homšak 87 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN DEVELOPING ESG STRATEGIES: A PATH TO CARBON NEUTRALITY ALIGNED WITH EU GUIDELINES Ekaterina Silinkina 95 THE IMPACT OF EU REGULATIONS ON STAKEHOLDER ROLES IN BALTIC FOOD SYSTEMS Tanja Bagar, Marko Šetinc, Silvija Zeman 102 HEMP AS A SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIAL: REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT AND ENHANCING CARBON SEQUESTRATION Marko Šetinc, Anja Grabar, Silvija Zeman, Tanja Bagar 110 REFINING THE QUALITY OF SOLID FUEL FROM WASTE: INTERSECTIONS OF SEASONALITY, WEATHER, AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR 7 EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION Pe INTE er-RRN evAT In recent years, sustainability has become one of the most frequently used words in public dis- ieIO w course. While its importance is undeniable, its meaning is often stretched or oversimplified. True N edAL S sustainability is neither a slogan nor a trend; it is a profound personal, scientific, social, and ethical PrCIE o commitment, a commitment to honour the visible and invisible world beyond ourselves. It requires ceN ed us to look critically at our actions, to rethink established systems, and to respect the delicate balance TIF ingIC C that allows life to thrive. s BoON As a researcher who has spent many years studying microorganisms and the invisible ecosystems okFE that sustain both human and planetary life. To this day, I remain deeply in awe of their complexi-R : SEN ty. The deeper I explore the microscopic world, the more I am reminded of how extraordinary our UCE I ST own cells and bodies are and how closely their intricate balance mirrors the complexity of our plan- A INT'S A et. Both are remarkable, resilient systems, yet also fragile. Microorganisms teach us that even the A BBO smallest actors can shape entire environments. In a similar manner, research and scientific work, LEU DT P even when modest in scale, can contribute to meaningful transformations toward sustainability. EVEO EL This volume brings together contributions from researchers who seek to understand how our so- OPPLE 2 cieties, economies, and technologies can evolve in harmony with the natural world. The topics M EN02 explored here are diverse and interconnected, ranging from mobility and novel waste-manage- T4–2 ment technologies to food systems, the impacts of tourism and the construction industry, emerging 02 extreme weather patterns, and sustainability reporting. This diversity demonstrates clearly how 5 interdisciplinary collaboration can illuminate new pathways forward, offering innovative entre - preneurial models, frameworks for sustainable construction, and insights that advance our shared pursuit of a more resilient and responsible future. I am grateful to all the authors, reviewers, and colleagues who invested their expertise, time and care in this publication. Their work demonstrates that sustainability is not just a word or a trend, but a shared responsibility—one that calls for a deeply humbling understanding of the complexity of life’s visible and invisible networks, an understanding that yields not only respect but awe. I hope that the content of these proceedings strengthens our collective commitment to a future in which human progress and ecological integrity not only coexist, but grow together. Assist. Prof. Tanja Bagar, PhD 9 2024 Published professional conference contribution Pe INTE 1.09 Objavljeni strokovni prispevek na konferenci er-R RN evAT ieIO STARTUPS AS AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT w N edAL S Pr o OF SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIPCIE ceN edTIF ingIC C Milan Fi EN ľ a, Assoc. Professor, PhD UCE I ST Vysoká škola aplikované psychologie, Czech Republic A INT'S A A BBO Newton University, Slovakia ok FER : S Veronika Tóthová, Lecturer, PhD s Bo ON ABSTRACT LE U DT P EVEO A big topic resonating in society in recent years is sustainability, which covers all areas of society’s EL OPPLE 2 life, such as social, political, ecological, and entrepreneurial areas. But to make sustainability an M EN essential part of our lives, it is necessary to abandon the usual concepts and focus on a different 02 T4 view of things and innovations that precede any change. Based on the knowledge about start-–202 ups, which defines them as disruptors of old concepts, we can assume that startups, with their 5 innovative approaches to solving issues, will play a crucial role in the sustainability of society. When we analyze the startup ecosystems, we can see that there are many leading startups in the eco scene, which are often at the forefront of innovation, so they can use their unique approach to making a positive impact on the environment and thus attract more people interested in the topic of sustainability. We used mixed methods in creating this paper. To define the concept of startups, sustainability, and sustainable innovation we analyzed various literature and research papers and to present the best overview of the studied issue we used descriptive methods to present the relevant information. The statistical issues were based on KMPG International and UtilityBidder Methodology, which we used for the presentation of the results of their research on sustainability by enterprises (KMPG International) and countries (UtilityBidder). Keywords: Startup, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Environment 13 Pe 1 INTRODUCTION IN TE er-R R In recent years, we have seen the efforts of mankind for the sustainability of its activities with the N ev AT aim of using renewable resources to an ever greater extent and gradually replacing non-renew-ie IO w able resources with them. This effort leads to the continuous development and improvement of N ed A L S innovative ideas to ensure the mitigation of humanity’s impact on our planet. To make this possi- Pr ble, it is necessary to support research and development activities aimed in this direction and at o CIE ce N the same time to support individuals who come up with such innovative ideas. At the moment, ed TIF the biggest innovators are considered to be startups that deny established concepts and at the ing IC C same time are considered “destroyers of old concepts”. From a closer perspective, we can apply s Bo O N to startups the theory of creative destruction formulated by Joseph Schumpeter, which he came ok FE R : S up with in 1942. Based on this theory is creative destruction characterized as innovations in the EN U CE I manufacturing process that increase productivity, describing it as the “process of industrial mu-ST A IN T'S A tation that incessantly revolutionizes the economic structure from within, incessantly destroying A B B the old one, incessantly creating a new one.” Basically, the theory of creative destruction assumes O LE U D that long-standing arrangements and assumptions must be destroyed to free up resources and T P EV energy to be deployed for innovation. To Schumpeter, economic development is the natural re-EO EL OP sult of forces internal to the market and is created by the opportunity to seek profit (Kopp 2023). PL E 2 M Creative destruction theory treats economics as an organic and dynamic process and is based on EN 02 T 4 4 principles: innovation, competition, entrepreneurship, and capital. As Kopp (2023) mentions, –2 creative destruction can be seen across many different industries (for example: Technology, Media 02 and Entertainment, Retail, Finance, and Energy). As all companies often strive to be better, many 5 businesses seek new ways to disrupt the status quo and seek new paths to better business oppor- tunities. Companies don’t technically need to embark on creative destruction; however, by not doing so, they risk the occurrence of falling behind their competition. This paper brings a look at startups and their role in sustainability. Our analysis of the examined issue is based on the opinions and research of several experts, both from the field of research and directly from practice, who deal with the given issue. 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS The main goal of the article is to evaluate startups as an innovative concept of sustainable entre-preneurship. To reach the paper’s objective and obtain an answer to this question, as Kondrla et al. (2023) say, it is crucial to identify what is significant to us and distinguish what is significant from irrelevant. Based on this opinion we used in this paper mixed methods. To define the concept of startups, sustainability, and sustainable innovation, we analyzed various literature and research pa-pers. Descriptive methods were used to present the relevant information and provide the best over-view of the studied issue. The statistical issues were based on KMPG International and UtilityBidder Methodology, which we used for the presentation of the results of their research on sustainability by enterprises (KMPG International) and countries (UtilityBidder). 3 RESULTS Olteanu & Fichter (2022), referring to several authors, stated that One key element in the facilitation of the multilevel challenge of sustainability transitions is the development, implementation, and diffusion of radically new or significantly improved goods/services, processes, or practices which, for example, reduce the use of natural resources or increase societal inclusion. Thus, environmental and social innovation is considered key for transformation processes toward sustainable develop-ment. As Gódány et al. (2021) say the socio-economic importance of entrepreneurship in the 21st century in relation to economic growth has become undisputable on local and global level both in terms of macroeconomic indicators, as well as the micro environment. To better understand the whole concept of sustainability and its impact on entrepreneurship, we need to first understand the individual concepts so that we can later see the whole context of sus-tainable entrepreneurship and also startups and their role in the sustainability. 14 3.1 Sustainability and sustainable entrepreneurship presumes that resources are finite, and should be used conservatively and wisely with a view to RNAT ev long-term priorities and consequences of the ways in which resources are used. In simplest terms, ieIO w Sustainable practices support ecological, human, and economic health and vitality. Sustainability TE er -R Pe IN sustainability is about our children and our grandchildren, and the world we will leave them (UCLA ed NAL S Pr 2023). oCIE ceN Sustainability requires an integrated approach that takes into consideration environmental con- edTIF cerns along with economic development. In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission de- ingIC C fined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of fu- s Bo ON ture generations to meet their own needs.” Today, there are almost 140 developing countries in the okFER world seeking ways of meeting their development needs, but with the increasing threat of climate : SEN U change, concrete efforts must be made to ensure development today does not negatively affect CE I ST A future generations (United Nations 2023). INT'S A A BB Based on Mollenkamp (2023) sustainability, in the broadest sense, refers to the ability to maintain O LEU or support a process continuously over time. In business and policy contexts, sustainability seeks DT P EV to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the EO EL OP long term. The idea of sustainability is often broken down into three pillars: economic, environ-PLE 2 M mental, and social—also known informally as profits, planet, and people. The concept of “economic EN02 sustainability” focuses on conserving the natural resources that provide physical inputs for economic T4–2 production, including both renewable and exhaustible inputs. Kučera and Nemec (2022) stated that 02 it is necessary to use efficiency approach, when limited input sources are being used. The concept 5 of “environmental sustainability” adds greater emphasis on the life support systems, such as the at-mosphere or soil, that must be maintained for economic production or human life to even occur and social sustainability focuses on the human effects of economic systems, and the category includes attempts to eradicate poverty and hunger, as well as to combat inequality. Entrepreneurs have a responsibility to consider the future ramifications of social innovation and business strategy, and to practice business ethics that prioritize the long-term health of society at large. Nielsen predicted that by 2021 sustainable products will take up a quarter of retail shelf space and capture $150 billion in consumer spending. But some experts are saying that green capitalism isn’t enough (Mulqueen 2022). The terms sustainable entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship and ecological entrepreneurship have become an international trend in recent years, all names are entrepreneurial approaches with which - depending on the focus – social or ecological problems are intended to be solved. With their entrepreneurship, the founders of the companies want to create social added value with their em-ployees. Sustainable entrepreneurship has set itself the goal of the so-called green economy. The entrepreneurs want to operate their business in a sustainable, resource-saving and environmen-tally conscious manner - in such a way that their own actions have a positive impact on social and community coexistence. In sustainable entrepreneurship, the focus is not on maximizing profits, but rather on entrepreneurial activity for the benefit of society. Sustainable entrepreneurs also have to generate income in order to assert themselves in the market – but this is not the focus of their work. Rather, they want to develop new markets and sources of income with innovative business models – without harming people and the environment (BusinessPilot 2023). Table 1: Checklist of points for setting goals and missions of sustainable entrepreneurship Fair business practices Work-Life – Balance Fair remuneration Sustainable corporate culture Sustainable manufacturing processes Commitment to the environment Energy-efficient production Further training offers Social justice in the company Corporate healthcare Appreciative treatment of employees (Source: BusinessPilot 2023) 15 w N However, sustainable entrepreneurship has a change in the market and society (Schaltegger 2017). ed A L S Pr CIE o Figure 1: The influence of individual types of businesses on the market ce N ed TIF Non Profit Sustainable Entrepreneurship (incl. Profit-oriented Business ing IC C Social Business) Dependent on donations Profit maximization & cost coverage s Bo O N Cost coverage: reinvestment of profits Effect: rather retroactively correcting Effect: Sustainability optimization ok FE in line with the founding goal R market results, but not changing the within the given market conditions : S EN market Effect: changing the market U er-R R companies for ecological and social optimization within market conditions. Non-profit projects, in N ev AT turn, tend to subsequently correct sustainability problems that arise from state and market failures. ie IO Pe IN lenges through entrepreneurial activity. Conventional sustainability management serves existing TE Companies designated as social businesses want to solve social or ecological problems and chal- ST CE I (Source: Schaltegger 2017) A IN T'S A A B B O Sustainable entrepreneurs are sustainably responsible companies and public institutions such as LE U D T P cities and municipalities that actively and effectively contribute to greater climate and environmen-EV EO tal protection with their successful organizations, pay attention to fair business practices, and are EL OP PL E 2 committed to society. They are successful organizations that create and secure numerous jobs and M ensure the highest quality of their products and services, follow fair business practices and support EN 02 T 4 their employees, for example by offering training and further education and fair remuneration. Sus-–2 02 tainable entrepreneurs are tax-honest and pay their taxes and duties on time. They also give part 5 of their success back to the community by supporting sustainable and social projects (Sustainable Entrepreneur 2023). So when we talk about sustainability, we first of all mean the preservation of natural resources and the planet for future generations, while taking into account both economic, ecological, and social aspects. At the same time, we have to adapt our goals to these areas, both as a company and as individuals in our daily lives, and in recent years these goals have also come to the fore in the business environment, where we increasingly encounter the term sustainable entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and ecological en-trepreneurship. Whose goal is to create such conditions within the framework of business that will help not only the creation of sustainable jobs, or conditions for further education and remuneration, but at the same time, with part of their profits, they help the development of the community by supporting sustainable and social projects aimed at improving its social environment. 3.2 Startups and sustainability Startups are companies or ventures that are focused on a single product or service that the founders want to bring to market (Grant 2022). Based on Gründer Platform (2023) a startup is when a compa-ny is founded with a novel business idea and high growth potential. Beyond this definition, startups also represent a certain, “disruptive” self-image: They question familiar processes and try out new things. In doing so, they demonstrate a keen nose for trends and what people want and need. “Just do it and learn from mistakes” – that is the motto that allows startups to pick up new developments faster than the competition and turn them into innovative products. The startup culture is therefore characterized by openness, a willingness to learn, and the willingness to question every belief. A foosball table in the hallway doesn’t make a startup. However, flat hierarchies, short decision-mak-ing processes, trust in the abilities of each individual team member and a relaxed atmosphere do. Perhaps the most popular definition of a startup meaning is from Eric Ries, the creator of the Lean Startup methodology who defines a startup as a human institution designed to create a new prod-uct or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty (McGowann 2022). We can say that startups are companies that think big and who are not worried about making mistakes, because they are a basic prerequisite for their further development. Impact startups are innovative new ventures that diffuse solutions at scale that have a sustainability net benefit. They play an important role in the sustainability transition as actors in the introduction and diffusion of sustainability innovation (Horne-Fichter 2022). Kwon (2020) in his study states that the recent sustainability trend in terms of startups involves con-sumer-focused technologies, whereas basic and traditional technologies have diminished in focus. 16 tance in the coming years. Startups often renowned for their ingenuity, scalability, and passionate w N edA problem-solving, are perfectly poised to take on the mantle of sustainable practice and generate L S PrCIE innovative solutions. Uninhibited by legacy tech and embedded processes, startups are free to as- o ceN sess sustainability in more efficient, effective ways. edTIF ingIC C TRUIC Team (2023) points out, that green startups are on the cutting edge of new technology while s BoO also helping the world at large recover from years of overuse. While sustainability can help every N okFE human hope for a better future, these companies are taking action on green practices that will help R : SEN everyone in the years to come. ally looks like in practice. Yet, getting a grip on emissions, waste, and renewable resources among er-R RN evAT other elements – not to mention all the associated policy and process changes – is of vital impor- ieIO pected pitfalls, significant sacrifices, and lacking a unifying expectation of what ‘sustainable’ actu Pe IN -TE As Buchholz (2023) mentions the path to sustainable operations is a tricky one, laden with unex- cally-oriented, socially-oriented, or organizationally-oriented value creation type. AB BO LEU DT P As FasterCapital (2023) indicates many startups are leading the way when it comes to sustainable EVEO EL business practices. There are also many benefits to being a sustainable startup. For one, it can help Based on Kuckertz at all`s (2019) findings, the types of value creation in ecological startups, de- AIN T'S A pending on the design of sustainable value creation, are shaped by and may result in a technologi- STU CE I you attract and retain customers who are interested in supporting businesses that are doing their OP PLE 2 M EN02 part to protect the environment. What›s more, sustainable business practices can help you save T4–2 money by reducing your energy and waste costs. And, if you›re able to successfully implement 02 sustainable practices into your business, you›ll be setting a good example for other businesses to 5 follow. In the next picture we can see the most popular popular types of sustainable startups. Figure 2: The types of sustainable startups Source: FasterCapital, 2023 01 Green Technology Startups Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Travel Startups 02 05 Startups Clean Energy Startups Sustainable Fashion Startups 03 04 (Source: FasterCapital 2023) 3.3 Startups/sustainability and sustainable innovation From business sustainable statistics (TravelPerk 2022) we can see, that although 90% of business leaders think sustainability is important, only 60% of companies have a sustainability strategy. 67% of companies have started using more sustainable materials, such as recycled materials and lower-emitting products. 66% are working to increase their energy efficiency. 57% of companies have started using energy-efficient or climate-friendly machinery, technologies, and equipment. 57% are also providing employee training on climate change/climate action. 49% are developing new climate-friendly products or services. 46% have begun requiring business partners across their supply chain/value chain to meet specific sustainability criteria. 44% are updating/relocating fa-cilities to make them more resistant to climate impacts. 22.8% of Fortune 500 corporations have engaged with the UN’s SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) framework. However, only 0.2% of these corporations have developed methods and tools to assess and evaluate the progress of their actions toward relevant SDGs. And more than 90% of CEOs state that sustainability is important to their company’s success. When we go further and look at KPMG International (2022) statistics on sustainability, we can see that 96% of G250 companies (the World’s 250 largest companies by rev-enue based on the 2021 Fortune 500 ranking) report on sustainability or ESG matters, and 64% of 17 w N ship-level representation for sustainability. ed A L S Pr To better understand these statistics we need first to understand the definition of sustainability, CIE o which is the base for these reactions of enterprises. Sustainability is the capacity to endure in a rel-ce N ed TIF atively ongoing way. Sustainable innovation means that companies seek out ways in which to sus-ing IC C tain continuous innovation/improvement for company growth, competitive advantage, increased s Bo O N market share, etc. The right company structure can help make innovation a sustainable practice ok FE R (Shields 2022). : S EN U er-R R (Worldwide sample of the top 100 companies by revenue in 58 countries, territories, and jurisdic-N ev AT tions) companies identify material ESG topics and fewer than half of G250 companies have leader-ie IO Pe IN social elements as a risk to their business, with Western Europe as the leading region. 71% of N100 TE the G250 acknowledge climate change as a risk to their business. 49% of the G250 acknowledge LE BOU creation of sustainable products and services. D T P EV By building sustainability into innovation, companies can create products, services, and processes EO EL OP that are good for both society and the organization. Innovation is vital for a company’s survival and PL E 2 M growth. Firms that don’t innovate fall behind their competitors and ultimately go out of business. EN A ová et al. 2020). Šimelytė et al., (2021) state, that it involves developing and applying new tech- IN T'S A A nologies, processes, and systems enabling the efficient use of resources, waste reduction, and the B ST CE I “Innovations have become a driving force for the future opportunities of the companies.” (Urbaník- T 024 However, traditional forms of innovation may result in profitable products, services, and process-–2 es – but also harm employees or over-exploit natural resources. “Sustainable innovation” seeks to 02 address those unintended social and environmental impacts. It implies that companies can provide 5 products and services that are good for themselves and society in the long term. Sustainable inno- vation can be put into three broad categories: operational optimization, organizational transforma-tion, and systems building (Lee 2021). Figure 3: Categories of sustainable innovation (Source: Lee 2021) Based on PTC (2023) sustainable innovation is the act of continuously improving your products, processes, and workforce to create a brighter, more sustainable future—for your customers, your 18 bring many uncertainties in terms of usability, application, or costs. However, in the last decade, it is w N edAL S been clearer that we can only achieve economic development by focusing on the creation of tech- PrCIE o nologies that do not harm natural ecosystems (Garcia 2022). ceN edTIF ing Table 2: Benefits of sustainability for companiesIC C s BoON- Lowering costs by reducing the used inputs okFER- Building credibility and trust : SEN U Sustainable innovation integrates environmental protection with the ability to create new products er-R RN evAT that satisfy our needs in the long term. Designing better and more sustainable technologies can ieIO facilitating product reuse and circularity and making business operations more efficient and safe. Pe INTE employees, and the environment. Sustainable innovation also supports growth and profitability by (Source: Garcia 2022)- Improvement of the relationship among investors, customers, researchers and stakeholders CE I ST A INT'S A- Efficiency improvement A BB- Opens the way for innovationO LEU DT P- Customer needs are better understood EVEO EL OPPLE 2 M EN The goal of sustainable innovation is to meet the needs of the present generation without compro-02 T4 mising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Jain, 2022). We can see some key –202 characteristics of sustainable innovation also in the next picture. As we can see sustainable innova-5 tion can be aimed at various fields of everyday life where every man can find scope for herself with the aim to help conserve existing resources for the next generations or to find creative and efficient solutions to address pressing challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, pollution, in-equality, and poverty. Figure 4: Key characteristics of sustainable innovation Collaboration and Environmental Partnerships Responsibility Economic Social Sustainable Impact Viability innovation Renewable Energy and Clean Innovative Business Model Technologies (Source: Jain 2022) If we look more closely at the examples of sustainable innovations, we can see that they include Renewable Energy Technologies, Circular Economy Practices, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Transportation and Social Enterprises (Jain 2022). As we know from definitions, startups are innovative businesses and innovation is the core of their idea or solution. But on the other hand, there is the question “Why should be startups also sustain-able?” The answer to this question was found by Trusca (2023), who mentions, that for startups car-ing about sustainability should be a priority for several reasons. Firstly, a sustainable product can differentiate the business from competitors and attract environmentally conscious customers and investors. These startups, are usually referred to as “green startups” and have a unique focus on sus-tainability while also having unique business models, incorporating a triple-bottom-line approach to decision-making. They aim to promote social good by utilizing technology to develop eco-friend- 19 w N ed to the market not just a positive impact on making a positive impact on the environment through A L S Pr their work, but also cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches. For example, Amp Robot-CIE o ics uses AI and robotics in waste management and recycling, Coral Vita has developed a ground-ce N ed TIF breaking method of growing corals in a controlled environment using microorganisms. REEF Tech-ing IC C nology is revolutionizing parking and mobility by integrating renewable energy sources, like solar s Bo O N panels and green hydrogen production facilities, to power its operations and reduce carbon emis-ok FE R sions and Windscape AI uses smart technology to predict the wind’s speed, which can help to figure : S EN U er-R R practices and policies. N ev AT By the top sustainable startups of 2023, presented by Chomsky (2023), we can see that they brought ie IO Pe IN Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) in their internal TE ly products and services and have involved established sustainability standards, such as the Global STA CE I out how fast the wind will blow, what helps make clean energy from the wind more affordable and IN T'S A efficient for the wind farms. By these examples of sustainable startups better known as “green start- B BO fields of green ecology and they also help effectively use conventional sources. LE U A ups”, we can see, that these enterprises bring together modern technologies with the traditional EL EO the literature defines as impossible to develop. Hence, it may be concluded that they are urgently OP PL E 2 EV As the findings of Bregnballe–Karppinen’s (2020) research indicate, startups have created solutions D T P EN 02 mention that the disruptive solutions startups bring to the field of their activity are essential for a T 4 –2 M needed to drive the change as they can do what is otherwise perceived as impossible. They also 02 ly increasing environmental challenges. 5 better future and these novel inventions startups bring are vital in order to address the exponential- When we go further and will see which destinations between the OECD countries are the best for sustainable startups, based on the Methodology of UtilityBidder (they analyzed each OECD country across six separate factors, compiling the data into a single “Sustainable Startup Score”, which they used to create the ranking), we can see that the top country is Switzerland with its 7,81 Sustainable startup score. In second place is the United Kingdom and the third place belongs to Sweden (6,75 score). With a closer look we can also see, that among the top 10 destinations, there are all Europe-an countries ranging from 7,81 to 6,00 sustainable startup scores. Table 3: Top 10 countries for sustainable startups (Source: UtilityBidder 2024) On the other side are the worst OECD countries for sustainable startups where first place belongs to Mexico with just 2 sustainable startup score, in second place we can find Turkey (2,87), and in third place is Poland with a 3,21 sustainable startup score, further followed by Chile (3,23), Greece (3,28), Japan (3,37), South Korea (3,38), Czech Republic (3,93), Israel (4,01) and United States (4,36). To improve their position in the framework of sustainability, as Kučera et al. (2023) mention, the 20 the inputs and outputs, based on benchmarking and learning from leaders. er-R RN evAT ieIO adapted or replicated in their own conditions, and which could possibly improve the ratio between Pe INTE countries should learn from examples of best practices, identify successful strategies that can be 4 CONCLUSIONS w N edAL S PrCIE As Yiğit (2021) mentions innovation has the mission of serving sustainable development as well as o ceN increasing national income. As it is already known from the definitions of startups, they are busi - edTIF nesses that are based on an innovative approach and thinking and they often act as disruptors of ingIC C further see the enterprises are aware of the need for sustainability in their production, but not all : S EN UCE I ST A of them integrate this concept into their processes. Based on statistical data we can see that there INT'S A A exists some percentage of enterprises, who are aware of the need for sustainability in their produc- olutionary concepts to markets. So based on these opinions, we can say, that startups are sustaina- ok FER ble innovators who bring the innovative concept of sustainable entrepreneurship to life. As we can conventional concepts, which helps them discover innovative approaches and bring new and rev- s Bo ON tion, but not all of them integrate this concept into their processes. They associate sustainability with B BO LEU DT P EV increased costs and are unwilling to risk changes to established practices, fearing that this could EO EL put them at a disadvantage in the market. However, this attitude is short-sighted, because as we OPPLE 2 M have the opportunity to constantly observe, not only the thinking of entrepreneurs and businesses EN02 is changing, but also the thinking of end customers, who are beginning to notice the so-called “eco- T4–2 logical footprint” of the products they buy and are beginning to place more and more emphasis on 02 this fact, which causes a change in the purchasing behavior of consumers. This is precisely why we 5 can see that sustainability-oriented startups, i.e. so-called “green startups” have great opportuni-ties for application on the market and at the same time bring an innovative perspective to solving the sustainability problem and show other businesses the possible direction and method of apply-ing the concept of sustainability for them as well. And that is also the reason why we can observe a constant increase in sustainable-green startups. 21 Pe REFERENCES IN TE er 1. Bregnballe, Sif, and Laura Karppinen. 2020. Startups as the green innovators of the pharmaceut--R R N ev AT ical industry. Exploring the necessary transformation to a circular economy. Master thesis. Availa-ie IO ble at: https://research-api.cbs.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/62185766/825303_Thesis_w._cover. w N ed A pdf (October 2023) L S Pr 2. Buchholz, Lucy. 2023. Top 10: Sustainable Startups of 2023. Available at: https://sustainabili-o CIE ce N tymag.com/articles/top-10-sustainable-startups-of-2023 (October 2023) ed TIF ing IC C 3. BusinessPilot. 2023. Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Available on: https://gruenderplattform.de/ ok FE 4. FasterCapital. 2023. The Types of Startups that are Leading the Way in Sustainability. Available at: R : S s Bo O green-economy/sustainable-entrepreneurship (October 2023) N IN T'S A 5. Garcia, K. 2022. Why is Sustainable Innovation Important for the Future?. Available on: https:// A B B O waitro.org/articles/why-is-sustainable-innovation-important-for-the-future/ (October 2023) LE U D T P 6. Gódány, Zsuzsanna, Renáta Machová, Ladislav Mura, and Tibor Zsigmond. 2021. Entrepreneur-EV ST CE I inability.html#The-Types-of-Sustainable-Startups (November 2023) A U EN https://fastercapital.com/content/The-Types-of-Startups-that-are-Leading-the-Way-in-Susta- EL EO ship Motivation in the 21st Century in Terms of Pull and Push Factors. In: TEM Journal 10 (1): 334- OP PL E 2 342. Available at: https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=935914 (October 2023) M EN 02 7. Grant, Mitchel. 2022. What a Startup Is and What’s Involved in Getting One Off the Ground. Avai - T 4 lable at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/startup.asp (November 2023) –2 02 8. Gründer Plattform. 2023. Gründe dein eigenes Startup und mach dein Ding. Available at: https:// 5 gruenderplattform.de/startup-gruenden (November 2023) 9. Horne, Jannic, and Klaus Fichter. 2022. Growing for sustainability: Enablers for the growth of impact startups – A conceptual framework, taxonomy, and systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production 349: 131163. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131163 10. Chomsky, Raf. 2023. Top 10 Sustainable Startups of 2023. Available at: https://sustainablerevi- ew.com/top-10-sustainable-startups-of-2023/ (November 2023) 11. Jain, Nick. 2022. What is Sustainable Innovation? Definition, Examples and Best Practices. Availa- ble at: https://ideascale.com/blog/sustainable-innovation/ (November 2023) 12. Kondrla, Peter, Radoslav Lojan, Patrik Maturaknič, Yulia N. Biryukova, and Ernel G. Mastrapa. 2023. The Philosophical Context of Curriculum Innovations with a Focus on Competence Developmentjo- urnal of Education Culture and Society. Journal of Education, Culture and Society 14(2): 78-92. 13. Kopp, Carol. 2023. Creative Destruction: Out With the Old, in With the New. Available at: https:// www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creativedestruction.asp (October 2023) 14. KPMG International. 2022. Big shifts, small steps. Survey of Sustainability Reporting 2022. Avai- lable at: https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2023/04/big-shifts-small-steps. pdf (October 2023) 15. Kuckertz, Andreas, Elisabeth S.C. Berger, and Anja Gaudig. 2019. Responding to the greatest challenges? Value creation in ecological startups. Journal of Cleaner Production 230:. 1138-1147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.149 (October 2023) 16. Kučera, Jozef, and Juraj Nemec. 2022. Allocation of Public Funds from The State Budget to The National Sports Associations in Slovakia. Scientific Papers of the University of Pardubice - SciPap 30(1): 1405. https://doi.org/10.46585/sp30011405 (October 2023) 17. Kučera, Jozef, Emilia Zimková, Juraj Nemec, and Miroslav Nemec, 2023. A comparative analysis of the efficiency of public funding policies for sports in the European Union. Cogent Social Sciences 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2280335 (October 2023) 18. Kwon, Oshung. 2020. A study on how startups approach sustainable development through in- tellectual property. Sustainable Development 28(4): 613–625. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2012 (November 2023) 19. Lee, Ju Young. 2021. What is Sustainable Innovation? Available at: https://nbs.net/what-is-susta- inable-innovation-and-how-to-make-innovation-sustainable/ (October 2023) 20. McGowan, Emma. 2022. What Is a Startup Company, Anyway? Available at: https://www.star- tups.com/library/expert-advice/what-is-a-startup-company (October 2023) 22 23. Olteanu, Yasmin, and Klaus Fichter. 2022. Startups as sustainability transformers: A new empi-https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/what-is-sustainable-entrepreneurship-and-why- w N edAL S does-it/354955 (October 2023) PrCIE o ceN ed rically derived taxonomy and its policy implications. In Business Strategy and the Environment TIF ingIC C 31(7): 3083–3099. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/bse.3065 s BoO (November 2023)N okFE 24. PTC. 2023. What Is Sustainable Innovation? Why Is It Important?. Available at: https://www.ptc.R : SEN com/en/solutions/sustainable-innovation (November 2023) 22. Mulqueen, Tina. 2022. What is sustainable entrepreneurship, and why does it matter? Available at: ber 2023) er-R RN evAT ieIO 21. Mollenkamp, Daniel Thomas. 2023. What is Sustainability? How Sustainabilities Work, Benefits, and Example. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sustainability.asp (Novem- Pe INTE 26. Schaltegger, S. 2017. Sustainable Entrepreneurship als Treiber von Transformation. Available at: (November 2023) AB BO LEU DT P EVEO EL https://www.zukunftsinstitut.de/artikel/sustainable-entrepreneurship-als-treiber-von-trans- 25. Shields, Kerri. 2022. Sustainable Innovation. In: Leading Innovation. Available at: https://ecam- AIN T'S A pusontario.pressbooks.pub/leadinginnovation/chapter/chapter-5-sustainable-innovation/ STU CE I 27. Šimelytė Agne, Manuela Tvaronavičienė, Rasmus B. Holmen, and Arunas Burinskas. Knowledge formation/ (November 2023) OP PLE 2 M EN02 T4–2 and technology transfer as driving force for social innovations. Polish Journal of Management Stu-02 dies 23(2): 512-536. doi: 10.17512/pjms.2021.23.2.315 28. Sustainable Entrepreneur. 2023. Nachhaltig verantwortungsvoll. Available at: https://susta- inable-entrepreneur.at/ (October 2023) 29. TravelPerk. 2022. 68 Business sustainability statistics (relevant in 2023). Available at: https:// www.travelperk.com/blog/business-sustainability-statistics/ (November 2023) 30. TRUIC Team. 2023. 30 Environmental Startups That Will Inspire Entrepreneurs to Go Green. Avai- lable at: https://startupsavant.com/startups-to-watch/environmental (November 2023) 31. Trusca, Anca. 2023. Assessing the Sustainability Impact of Startups. A Guide for Entrepreneurs. Available at: https://www.innoq.com/en/articles/2023/04/assessing-the-sustainability-impa- ct-of-startups/ (November 2023) 32. UCLA. 2023. What is Sustainability? Available at: https://www.sustain.ucla.edu/what-is-susta- inability/ (November 2023) 33. United Nations. 2023. Sustainability. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/ sustainability (November 2023) 34. Urbaníková, Marta, Michaela Štubňová, Viera Papcunová, Jarmila Hudáková. 2020. Analysis of innovation activities of Slovak small and medium-sized family businesses. Administrative Scien- ces 10(4): 1–19. Doi: 10.3390/admsci10040080. 35. UtilityBidder. 2024. Sustainable Startup Destinations. Available at: https://www.utilitybidder. co.uk/compare-business-energy/sustainable-startup-destinations/ (Januar 2024) 36. Yiğit, Sema. An Empirical Perspective on the Relationship Between Innovation Performance and Sustainable Development. EGE AKADEMİK BAKIŞ / EGE Academic Review 21(2):47-57. doi: 10.21121/eab.874020. 23 w N edAL S Pr PRESENTING THE SUSTAINABILITY o CIE ce N MODEL OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: ed TIF ing IC C A META-SYNTHESIS APPROACH s Bo O N FE ok R Mohammad Roozbeh, Researcher : S EN U er-R RN evAT ieIO Pe IN Published scientific conference contribution TE 1.08 Objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci ST CE I Tarsim Dade Afzar, Iran A IN T'S A Hossein Safari, Professor A B B Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Iran O LE U D T P Mohsen Moradi-Moghadam, PhD, Expert EV EO Mobile Communication Company of Iran, Iran EL OP PL E 2 M Mohammad Mahoud, PhD, Researcher EN 02 3M-CEPM R&D Institute, Iran T 4 –2 02 5 ABSTRACT Prioritizing sustainability in construction has become a common goal among governments, in-dustry professionals, and academics. The main objective of sustainable construction is to min-imize the negative impact of construction on the environment and promote a better quality of life while paying attention to economic issues. This research aims to present a sustainable mod-el for construction projects, considering the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. To achieve this goal, the study has conducted a qualitative analysis of the research results in this field. By applying the meta-synthesis method, we analyzed 45 out of 257 identified articles for this purpose. Our study identified 139 indicators to assess the sustainability of construction pro-jects. Of these, 36 indicators pertain to the environment, 44 to the economy, and 59 to social fac-tors. Among the identified indicators, safety on the site was the most frequently mentioned (22 repetitions), followed by hygiene (16 repetitions), energy efficiency (16 repetitions), employee training and development (16 repetitions), and water consumption and conservation (15 repe-titions). Among the current research, innovations are identifying indicators and dimensions of sustainable construction using the meta-synthesis qualitative research method. Keywords: Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Construction, Meta- Synthesis 24 1 INTRODUCTION Pe INTE Among all industries, the construction industry has the greatest impact on its environment. Con- er -RRN struction projects allocate huge resources of capital; therefore, they play a key role in achieving evAT ieIO sustainable development. It is estimated that the construction industry ecosystem contributes 13% wN edA to the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). Meanwhile, building and construction account for L S Pr 36% of global energy consumption and 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (Ki- oCIE ceN ani Maviet al. 2021). Traditional construction methods are no longer able to cope with increasing edTIF pressure to comply with environmental standards and commit to social responsibility (Fatourehchi ingIC C and Zarghami 2020). Construction organizations are looking for approaches to transition from tra - s BoON ditional to sustainable construction methods that help them achieve their business goals without okFER distorting the environment (Ershadi and Goodarzi 2021). Over the past decades, the construction : SEN U sector has been heavily criticized for its poor sustainability performance. This gives the construction CE I ST A industry a unique opportunity to contribute to improving global sustainability capability (Stanitsas INT'S A A 2021). For this reason, this paper has considered a leap in research conducted in this field in the BBO LE last few years (Kiani Mavi et al. 2021). This issue shows the necessity of discussing sustainability in U DT P construction projects. The existing research literature shows different approaches in this field that EVEO EL tend to help in this direction. Researchers have recognized the importance of developing effective OPPLE 2 strategies to improve the sustainability of a construction project (Stanitsas et al. 2021). In order to M EN02 address sustainability issues in construction projects, an understanding of the relevant indicators is T4–2 required, however, the existence of a comprehensive approach as well as the classification of indi -02 cators that will help sustainable project management in construction projects according to the Triple 5 Bottom Line (TBL) scenario, as a gap in the literature still exists (Stanitsas et al. 2021). Obviously, iden- tifying the mentioned indicators and assessing sustainability is only half of the equation, the other half is how to modify the project, which is not required according to the sustainability standard. This is the area of tactics and solutions to improve sustainability in construction projects (Kiani Mavi et al. 2021). According to the stated contents, sustainable construction should increase the quality of social, economic and environmental functions by determining the current level of sustainability and identifying weak points and as a result improving them (Hendiani and Bagherpour 2019). 2 PURPOSE AND GOALS The purpose of this article is to present a model for sustainability for construction projects to deal with environmental, economic, and social challenges related to the construction industry. The global con-struction sector plays an essential role in economic development, but at the same time, it is one of the main factors of environmental destruction and resource consumption (Fathalizadeh et al. 2021). Con-sidering these concerns, the main goal of our proposed model is to provide a systematic framework that can be used to consider sustainability throughout the life cycle of construction projects. 3 METHODS There are various methods for reviewing qualitative findings. Meta-synthesis is one of the methods used in this field (Noblit and Hare 1988). Meta-synthesis is research that evaluates another conduct-ed research. For this reason, metacomposition is called evaluation of evaluations. Meta-synthesis is a type of research about another research. Meta-synthesis can be considered the systematic study and review of past research (Sandelowski et al. 2007). The main purpose of this method is to create reliability of the output of findings and theorizing. This method deals with the systematic study of findings (Walsh and Downe 2005). Various models have been proposed for performing Meta-syn-thesis, among these models, the following can be mentioned: 1. The three-stage model of Noblit and Heyer is the oldest Meta-synthesis model; 2. Walsh and Dunn’s six-stage model; 3. The seven-stage model of Sandelowski and Barroso is the most comprehensive Meta- synthesis model. In this research, due to the comprehensiveness of the Sandelowski and Barroso model, this model is considered. Sandelowski and Barroso presented their seven-step model for Meta- synthesis re-search as follows (Figure 1): 25 Figure 1: Steps of meta-synthesis method er TE-R Pe IN ie IO wN edAL S PrCIE ev RNAT ceo ed ing IC C (Source: Sandelowski et al. 2007) O s Bo N FE TIFN ok : S REN STAINU 3 RESULTS CE I A T'S A In this part, the analysis of the investigated method and the implementation of the relevant steps B B have been discussed. O LE U D T P EV Step One: Expressing the research question EO EL OP PL E 2 According to the main purpose of this research, what is the answer to the question? The research-M EN 02 er seeks to identify the main indicators and categories affecting the sustainability of construction T 4 projects. Also, in response to the question when, considering the novelty of the research problem –2 02 and the increasing attention of other researchers in the last five years, the collection of articles from 5 the last five years has been considered as the source for identifying the mentioned indicators. In addition, due to the validity of articles published in international journals, in this research, the col-lection of articles from WoS and Scopus databases has been considered by the researcher for content analysis. Finally, considering the comprehensiveness of Sandelowski and Barroso’s model and the acceptability of this model, the researcher will advance his meta-combination work according to the stages of this framework. Step Two: Systematic texts searching In this step, the researcher conducts a systematic search of published articles to determine valid, reli-able, and relevant documents in the appropriate time frame. First, relevant keywords are selected. These words are listed in the table (Table 1) below. Table 1: Keywords used in searches Database Title Environmental sustainability Social sustainability opus Sustainability indicators Economic sustainability Construction oS And Sc construction industry construction project W Project management The purpose of this step is to determine valid, reliable, and relevant documents in a suitable period. Step Three: Reviewing and selecting the appropriate texts After identifying the research keywords, a collection of articles containing them is assembled. These articles are screened based on things such as title, abstract, content, and research method, and the final articles are identified and selected. 26 Table 2: Literature Screening and Inclusion Criteria Irrelevance ev RNAT Related Research objectives ieIO w Non-acceptance criteria Acceptance criteria Criteria TE er-R Pe IN Inaccessibility Availability Accessibility N edAL S Pr No specific framework With a clear framework Clear expression oCIE Non-English English Language ceN edTIF Articles before 2018 Articles from 2019 onwards Time ingIC C Other s Bo O Articles published in Scopus, WoS DatabaseN ok FER : S Figure 2: Research trend chart CE I ST A U EN IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 Step Four: Extracting the required data from texts After choosing the appropriate articles, now we have to identify the relevant indicators based on the questions considered. Research questions: 1. What are the main sustainability indicators of construction projects? 2. What are the main indicators of the social dimension of the sustainability of construction projects? 3. What are the main indicators of the economic dimension of the sustainability of construction projects? 4. What are the main indicators of the environmental dimension of the sustainability of construc- tion projects? In the current research, a total of 139 codes were identified from the selected articles based on the meta-composite approach, whose frequency is based on sustainability dimensions: 36 codes for the environmental dimension, 44 codes for the economic dimension, and 59 codes for the social dimension. It is noteworthy that the frequency of identified codes regardless of their repetition was 573 codes. 27 Table 3: Examples of identified codes ev RNAT 16 Energy efficiency ie IO w er TE freq codes-R Pe IN ed N 11 Using environmentally friendly primary energy sources and renewable energy A L S Pr Resource management and 4 Eco-efficiency o CIE energy consumption ce N 4 Sustainable maintenance ed TIF ing IC C 3 Consistent and predictable load ok FE Management of water resources R 15 Water use and conservation : S s Bo ON 6 Construction water quality impact IN T'S A A BBO LE Step Five: Analyzing and combining the results U D T P EV ST CE I 7 Recycling water & Water saving A U EN and consumption OP PL egorized the identified codes and themes based on modeling from the relevant research back-E 2 M ground. In the meta-combination approach, the codes and themes collected from the articles are EL EO The fifth step in Meta-synthesis is analysis and composites. For this purpose, the researcher has cat- EN 02 T4 categorized based on the researcher’s understanding and intuition of the subject under investiga-–2 tion. This process continued until there were no more codes without related themes and categories. 02 5 Step Six: Quality control of the results According to the Kappa coefficient value for codes identified after direction, this index is accepted, and the result is considered significant. Kappa coefficient is referred to as internal reliability evalua-tion criterion. Researchers believe that if the value of the coefficient is greater than 0.6, this coeffi-cient has a relatively good value (Landis and Koch 1977). Table 4: Kappa coefficient (Source: Authors’ own work) Step Seven: Presenting the results At the end, the results of Meta-synthesis are presented in Table 5. In the Meta-synthesis stage of three main areas, 10 general indicators, 33 sub-indices and 139 guidelines were extracted. It should be noted that the guidelines are the identified codes. 28 Table 5: Results of Meta-synthesis er TE -R Pe IN ie IO wN edAL S PrCIE ev RNAT ceo ed TIFN ing IC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN According to the provided image, the meta-synthesis process in this research has led to the extraction EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4 of a comprehensive framework comprising three main areas, 10 general indicators, 33 sub-indices, –202 and 139 guidelines. This hierarchical structure demonstrates a systematic approach to integrating 5 and organizing sustainability criteria in project management. As Goel et al. (2019) note, the effec - tive integration of sustainability into construction project management requires the identification and structuring of key dimensions and indicators. This finding also aligns with the research of Hate-fi and Tamošaitienė (2018), who emphasize the importance of developing sustainable criteria for construction project assessment. The approach employed in this analysis, where the guidelines are directly derived from the identified codes, ensures the precision and transparency of the extraction process. According to Hashemi et al. (2021), the proper selection of sustainability indicators is the foundation for informed decision-making at various stages of the project lifecycle. Ultimately, this comprehensive framework not only provides an assessment tool but also represents a step towards achieving “project management for positive social impact,” as promoted by Goel et al. (2020). 4 DISCUSSION Integrating sustainability in project and project management is an approach that has received in-creasing attention from academic researchers in recent years. To implement the principles of sus-tainability at the project level, researchers have identified key success indicators and factors; How-ever, the identification of the aforementioned indicators only leads to the identification of factors affecting the sustainability of projects, while the main goal of integrating sustainability in projects is to improve their performance level from the perspective of compliance with the principles of sustainability. According to what has been said, the need for a model that can be used to measure the sustainability of the project and determine their level of sustainability, to identify the improve-ment leaders and use the contract is felt. The current research has presented a model to fill the gap, this model introduces the dynamic approach to improve the sustainability of construction projects by considering the three main dimensions of orientation, implementation, and results. 5 CONCLUSION The model presented in the results dimension by expressing the economic, environmental, and so-cial results expected from the projects that are concerned with the integration of sustainability, as well as the expected results from the product of these projects, provides a view of what should be realized in the end. But this is not the end of the work, this model in two dimensions of orientation and implementation at two strategic and operational levels has expressed how to implement pro-jects to comply with the principles of sustainability and obtain sustainable results. 29 Pe REFERENCES IN TE er 1. Ershadi, Mahmoud, and Fateme Goodarzi. 2021. Core capabilities for achieving sustainable con--R R N ev AT struction project management. Sustainable Production and Consumption 28(10): 1396-1410. ie IO w 2. Fathalizadeh, Ali, M. Reza Hosseini, A. J. Gilbertus Silvius, Ali Rahimian, Igor Martek, and David J. N ed A L S Edwards. 2021. Barriers impeding sustainable project management: A Social Network Analysis Pr of the Iranian construction sector. Journal of Cleaner Production 318: 128405. o CIE ce N ed 3. Fatourehchi, Dorsa, and Esmaeil Zarghami. 2020. Social sustainability assessment framework for TIF ing IC C managing sustainable construction in residential buildings. Journal of building engineering 32: ok FE 4. Goel, Ashish, L. S. Ganesh, and Arshinder Kaur. 2019. Sustainability integration in the manage-R : S s Bo O 101761. N IN T'S A 5. Goel, Ashish, L. S. Ganesh, and Arshinder Kaur. 2020. Project management for social good: A con-A B B O ceptual framework and research agenda for socially sustainable construction project manage-LE U D T P ment. International journal of managing projects in business 13(4): 695-726. EV ST CE I Journal of Cleaner Production 236: 117676. A U EN ment of construction projects: A morphological analysis of over two decades’ research literature. EL EO 6. Hashemi, Hassan, Parviz Ghoddousi, and Farnad Nasirzadeh. 2021. Sustainability indicator se- OP PL E 2 lection by a novel triangular intuitionistic fuzzy decision-making approach in highway constru- M EN ction projects. Sustainability 13(3): 1477. 02 T 4 7. Hatefi, Seyed M., Jolanta Tamošaitienė. 2018. Construction projects assessment based on the –2 02 sustainable development criteria by an integrated fuzzy AHP and improved GRA model. Susta- 5 inability 10(4): 991. 8. Hendiani, Sepehr, and Morteza Bagherpour. 2019. Developing an integrated index to assess so- cial sustainability in construction industry using fuzzy logic. Journal of cleaner production 230: 647-662. 9. Kiani Mavi, Reza, Denise Gengatharen, Neda Kiani Mavi, Richard Hughes, Alistair Campbell, and Ross Yates. 2021. Sustainability in construction projects: a systematic literature review. Sustaina- bility 13(4): 1932. 10. Noblit, George W., and R. Dwight Hare. 1988. Meta-ethnography: Synthesizing qualitative studies. Vol. Newbury Pa, 38-56. 11. Sandelowski, Margarete, Julie Barroso, and Corrine I. Voils. 2007. Using qualitative meta summa- ry to synthesize qualitative and quantitative descriptive findings. Research in nursing & health 30(1): 99-111. 12. Stanitsas, Marios, Konstantinos Kirytopoulos, and Vrassidas Leopoulos. 2021. Integrating susta- inability indicators into project management: The case of construction industry. Journal of Clea- ner Production 279: 123774. 13. Walsh, Denis, and Soo Downe. 2005. Meta synthesis method for qualitative research: a literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 50(2): 204-211. 14. Landis, J. Richard, and Gary G. Koch. 1977. An application of hierarchical kappa-type statistics in the assessment of majority agreement among multiple observers. Biometrics 33(1): 159-174. AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES Mohammad Roozbeh is a researcher of Project Management at Tehran University. His work focuses specifically on Sustainability in construction projects and how to sustainably manage these types of projects. Hossein Safari is a researcher of Industrial Management at Tehran University. His work focuses spe-cifically on Operations research, production and operation management, human resource manage-ment, etc. Mohsen Moradi-Moghadam is a researcher of Human resources management at Tehran University. His work focuses specifically on Organizational excellence models. 30 Business/Project Management students at the State University of Management. Moreover, he serves er-R RN evAT as an International Peer Reviewer for esteemed scientific journals around the world. Beyond aca - ieIO ademia and the construction industry. He currently serves as a Visiting Lecturer for Post- graduate Pe INTE Mohammad Mahoud is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in both ac- demia, he is the Founder CEO of 3M-CEPM R&D Institute and has held various executive and man- w N edA agerial roles in the industry. In addition to his career accomplishments, his achievements include L S PrCIE being selected as a Jury Committee Member and Assessor of Global Project Management Excellence o ceN Achievement Awards. edTIF ingIC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 31 w N edAL S Pr SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PLANNING TO o CIE ce N ENSURE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS ed TIF ing IC C- THE TOURISM 4.0 EXPERIENCE s Bo O N FE ok R Urška Starc Peceny, PhD, CIO and Head of Tourism 4.0 : S EN U er-R RN evAT ieIO Pe IN Published professional conference contribution TE 1.09 Objavljeni strokovni prispevek na konferenci ST CE I Katarina Ceglar, Deputy Head of Tourism 4.0 A Matevž Straus, IN T'S A Heritage+ Lead A B B Andraž Orehar, TIM and AAT product lead O LE U D T P Vesna Kobal, Tech Development Lead EV EO Petra Škodlar, Senior Project Manager EL OP PL E 2 Tomi Ilijaš, CEO and Founder M ARCTUR GmbH Kromberk, Nova Gorica, Slovenia EN 02 T 4 –2 02 ABSTRACT 5 The tourism industry faces a critical challenge: balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being. Sustainable tourism planning, which prioritizes local residents’ quality of life, offers a promising path forward. This article explores the integral role of innova-tive tools, new technologies and data analytics in this process. Innovative technologies can effectively monitor tourism’s impacts, ensuring informed deci-sion-making that minimizes negative environmental and social consequences. They enable the development of smart tourism systems that optimize resource use, reduce negative impacts and enhance visitor experiences. Furthermore, they empower collaboration among different stake-holders, including local communities, businesses, and government administration, fostering in-clusive and sustainable tourism development. This article explains how innovative tools and multiple data sources can be leveraged to gather real-time and other (e.g. historic, statistical etc.) data on tourist flows, in order to plan efficiently and make informed decisions. Moreover, it shares experiences of digital innovation of cultural heritage (CH) and Tourism 4.0’s achievements. By integrating technologies and data analytics into sustainable tourism planning frameworks, destinations can create a future where tourism not only thrives economically but also protects the environment, enriches local communities, and fosters a high quality of life for residents. Keywords: Sustainable tourism planning, Quality of life of local residents, Innovative technolo-gies, Data analytics, Informed decision making, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage 32 1 INTRODUCTION Pe INTE The advent of new technologies and tools has ushered in an era where real data can be harnessed er -RRN effectively. Furthermore, these advancements empower us to construct a digital replica of tourist evAT ieIO destinations, enabling data-driven strategic planning that has the potential to reshape tourism into wN edA a force for sustainability.L S PrCIE On one side tourism holds a prominent position as one of the most significant economic activities o ceN globally. Prior to the pandemic, Travel & Tourism (including its direct, indirect, and induced impacts) edTIF accounted for 10.4 % of global GDP (US$ 10 trillion) in 2019. The World Travel and Tourism Coun- ingIC C every facet of society. When managed judiciously, it possesses the potential to drive positive soci- : S EN UCE I ST A etal changes, economic prosperity, and sustainable development, a realization underscored by the INT'S A A United Nations through the pursuit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (World Tourism % to global GDP; an increase of 22 % from 2021 and only 23 % below 2019 levels (World Travel and ok FER Tourism Council 2024). Simultaneously, tourism serves as a horizontal layer intertwined with nearly cil’s (WTTC) latest annual research shows that in 2022, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 7.6 s Bo ON Organization and United Nations Development Programme, 2018). The Tourism 4.0 initiative is at B BO LEU DT P EV the forefront of this transformation, harnessing technologies from Industry 4.0, including the Inter-EO EL OP net of Things, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, and more.PLE 2 M In 2018, led by Arctur, a Slovene high-tech company, this initiative evolved into the Tourism 4.0 EN02 T4 Partnership, uniting today a consortium of over 230 industrial organizations, universities, leading –2 research institutions in tourism, computer , and information technology, as well as governmental 025 bodies, associations of municipalities, and small-scale tourism service providers. The initial step in this journey involved a fundamental rethinking of tourism, a process that has proven resilient even in the face of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the Tourism 4.0 ecosystem, the focus revolves around local inhabitants and their quality of life, with all other stakeholders orbiting around them. Within this framework, a system has been devised, incorporating innovative solutions to measure the impact of tourism, tourist flows, and other disruptive tools aimed at promoting sustainable planning and development. Importantly, this system entails the sharing of at least a portion of the data and profits with the local community. Figure 1: Tourism 4.0 Ecosystem (Source: Arctur 2024) 33 Pe 2 THE QUEST FOR LOCAL DATA IN TE er-R R At first Tourism Impact Model (TIM) was developed, an award-winning tool using real data to create N ev AT an objective picture of the impact of tourism in a certain micro-location. It analyses different societal ie IO w aspects: from environment, economy and culture to collaboration and produces an automatically N ed A L S generated report based on more than 300 indicators. By modelling the impact using different sce- Pr narios, it also acts as a digital twin of a tourist destination and allows data-driven strategic planning o CIE ce N aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. ed TIF ing IC C TIM has already been validated in 27 destinations in Danube area (Austria, Slovenia…) and 6 desti- ok FE es, which takes a lot of human effort. Beyond this issue, very often there are also issues with data R : S s Bo O nations in Black Sea Area. The biggest challenge of TIM is to collect the data from various data sourc-N IN T'S A cal data gardens where high quality ingredients for data analytics could grow. This article presents A B B some projects within the framework of Tourism 4.0 fostering this development by the creation of O LE U D T P innovative good practices (“Tourism 4.0”, 2024). EV ST CE I situation is rather a wild west. We are just at the very beginning of the development of own lo-A U EN availability and data reliability. And in working with destinations, it became clear that the current EL EO OPPLE 2 M 3 MOUNTAINEERING 4.0 EN 02 1 T 4 Mountaineering 4.0 brings innovative technologies to the Alpine environment. It is based on FLOWS –2 platform, a solution that supports understanding and forecasting visitor patterns at any location 02 5 (Planinska Zveza Slovenije 2023). It provides data integration from multiple sources (smart counters, mobile data, points of interest, tourist tax collection, municipal infrastructure such as waste, water and electricity consumption, public WiFi networks), analysis of data in various formats, real-time and historical data, a compre-hensive online dashboard with charts and maps of KPIs, in a user-friendly interface. FLOWS also provides advanced forecasting capabilities. It employs advanced data analysis to help professionals prepare for periods of increased visits by adjusting marketing activities, service offerings or resource allocation to meet changes in consumer demand. FLOWS answers key questions such as when peaks occur, the impact of seasonality, the areas of congestion, the influence of traffic flows and how weather, holidays and other events affect visitor patterns. In the mentioned project, the Slovenian Alpine Association, CIPRA Slovenia and the Tržič Alpine Club, partners of the project have installed a system of smart pedestrian sensors at five of Slovenia’s pop-ular hiking destinations - Vršič, Lovrenška jezera, Storžič, Osp and Kum. The sensors collect data in real time on visits and display it on the user-friendly FLOWS dashboard. This supports better under-standing of visitor patterns in the Alpine area and the sustainable rerouting of Alpine flows. Multitude of data sources data (number of trail visitors, traffic to the area, weather, mountain acci-dents), when analysed and interpreted, can provide valuable insights for managing and improving the mountain region, enhancing visitor experience, and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Other data sources that could be used in the project have also been identified however they were not available because of various reasons, legal or technical. For example, number of overnight stays in the mountain huts, occupancy of parking spots etc. Collecting visitors’ data in natural/mountain regions may present challenges such as extreme weather conditions, remote access, lack of infrastructure, and the risk of natural disasters. This project represents a major step forward in the sustainable and data-driven management of mountain tourism. 1 Project reference: Planinstvo 4.0, Planinska zveza Slovenije (leading partner), Cipra Slovenija, društvo za varstvo Alp, Planinsko društvo Tržič, 2022-2023, funding Ministry for public administration of Republic of Slovenia. 34 Slovenia. Pe INTE Figure 2: Flows Dashboard representing summary of trail visits in real time at five locations in er-R RN evAT ieIO w N edAL S PrCIE o ceN edTIF ingIC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN (Source: Arctur, 2024) EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 Figure 3: Flows dashboard representing data from two different data sources: footfall counters vs traffic counters showing correlation. (Source: Arctur, 2024) 4 SD4TIM Space data for TIM (ESA Contract No. 4000138244/22) is the second project from the mentioned framework, funded by European Space Agency, aiming to simplify the TIM user’s experience by au-tomatizing the data collecting process, quantifying changes in air pollution - Air Quality Indices, to provide aggregate estimates in Europe using Satellite Earth Observation (EO) data and integrating it into TIM as well as the Land Surface Temperature (LST) data. As a result, TIM assessments can be fin- 35 w N ed much less frequently elsewhere. A L S Pr The approach taken in the SD4TIM project makes use of satellite data, which brings many benefits: o CIE ce N objective and comparable measurement, replicable anywhere in the world, providing a larger scale ed TIF view complementary to in-situ data and well adapted to analyse trends at a city, region , or country ing IC C level. The raw data source integrated used is the CAMS service, offering information based on obser-s Bo O N vation satellite data (Sentinel-5p), in-situ data and scientific modelling. ok FE R : S EN U er-R RN The first topic researched was air quality which can be measured using local means: stations with ev AT various in situ ground sensors, many of which are found in large cities in developed countries and ie IO Pe IN with the developed Elementary Prototype of the integrated Satellite EO data in TIM. TE ished faster and with higher accuracy. The project started in the middle of TRL2 and finished at TRL3 ST CE I 4.1 Air quality A IN T'S A Air quality indicators have great significance for the local strategists and decision makers. In the project A B B it was concluded that satellite data is extremely important since it is generally available and can be of O LE U D great use to local decision makers. The biggest challenge is to make it easily understandable to them T P EV which can be tackled from two directions: (1.) making analysis and interpretation of the data as instinc-EO EL OP PL tive as possible and (2.) increasing the knowledge of decision makers on how to use this information. E 2 M EN 02 4.2 Land Surface Temperature (LST) T 4 –2 02 The second topic researched was Land Surface Temperature (LST), a measure of the temperature of 5 the Earth’s surface as perceived by satellite or ground sensors. There are several methods for meas- uring LST, including thermal satellite sensors, ground-based weather stations, and ground-based sensors. Thermal satellite sensors are most used to measure LST on a large scale, as they allow large geographic areas to be covered and temperature changes to be monitored on a regular basis. LST is influenced by several factors, such as vegetation cover, topography, soil moisture, presence of water and urban density. Data from LST can be used for a variety of applications, including mapping urban areas, monitoring droughts and floods, predicting forest fires, monitoring climate change, assessing air quality, the detection of urban heat islands or even the detection of urban heat loss linked to poorly insulated buildings. However, LST data can be affected by errors and uncertainties, especially in areas with heavy cloud cover and snow coverage. Additionally, LST measurements are not always available at high spatial and temporal resolution, which may limit their usefulness for some applications. Figure 4: LST data and points of interest for City centre of Ljubljana (summer 2023). (Source: Arctur 2023) 36 Figure 5: Coverage of water features in Ljubljana (Summer 2023). er TE -R Pe IN ie IO wN edAL S PrCIE ev RNAT ceo ed TIFN ing IC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN (Source: Arctur 2023) EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–202 In the project LST was connected with points of interest provided by the municipalities. Their goal 5 was to understand how they can use the LST data to better design urban planning and check the effectiveness of plans already produced. Over the years, advanced methods have been developed to improve the measurement and analysis of LST. For example, remote sensing techniques based on high-resolution satellite images have im-proved the spatial resolution of LST data and tracked temperature changes at the local scale. Surface temperature simulation models have also been developed to improve the accuracy of LST data. The use of LST data seems to be effective in detecting both the urban heat island effect during sum-mer and the heat loss of buildings during winter. Using the satellite data includes the ability to ob-tain objective and comparable measurements, the potential for replication across global settings, and the capacity to offer a panoramic perspective that complements localised in-situ data. 5 BEYONDSNOW Many small medium-altitude snow tourism destinations and communities across the Alpine Space area are facing climate change issues, especially regarding the diminishment of snow coverage. Climatic data indicate that this effect will considerably worsen in the future. The third presented here, BeyondSnow project is led by 13 partners and aims at increasing the socio-ecologic climate resilience of snow tourism destinations and communities and enable them to retain their attractive-ness for residents and tourists, by specifically considering eco-system-based approaches. The project is funded by the European territorial cooperation programme “Interreg Alpine Space” (BeyondSnow 2023). New sustainable development paths, transition processes, and implementable solutions will be conjointly devised within specific pilot working areas, which are spatially distributed across six Alpine countries, differing in size, development level and criticalities. Since the beginning of the project the project partners have been identifying future climate scenar-ios, vulnerability indicators, and main transition models for snow tourism destinations, developing a theoretical and methodological design of the Resilience Adaptation Model (RAM) that will repre-sent a theoretical model for the innovative and easy to use Resilience Decision-Making Digital Tool (RDMDT). The RDMDT will be made freely available and publicly accessible throughout the Alpine community. The RDMDT will be an automated assessment tool designed to collect quantitative and qualitative data, transforming it into enriched information, allowing local and regional authorities, development agencies and stakeholders to pursue eco-system-based data-driven strategic plan-ning. (“Beyond Snow Project Developments” 2023). 37 er-R R aim at field-testing and fine-tuning the RDMDT, as well as co-designing alternative development N ev AT scenarios, sustainable transition paths and strategies for each pilot working area. Finally, policy rec-ie IO Pe IN working areas are planned. By involving local communities and stakeholders, the project partners TE Additionally, pilot actions for RDMDT implementation and resilience enhancement of the pilot w N ommendations for Alpine Convention, EUSALP & EU are foreseen. The policy recommendations are ed A L S Pr going to meet the Alpine Convention working group results on climate change strategies, including CIE o the Alpine Convention Alpine Climate Board and the Climate Action Plan 2.0. On the EU-level, policy ce N ed recommendations will be developed in the light of the EU strategy for Sustainable Tourism. TIF ing IC C s Bo ON 6 DIGITAL INNOVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE: WIN, WIN, WIN ok FE R : S EN Gathering local data makes us understand how drastically change is happening at home and not U CE I ST somewhere else. Faced with over-tourism or climate change, destinations have a chance to rethink A IN T'S A tourist flows, creating both challenges and exciting possibilities for new experiences. This article A B B wants to showcase an example where this was taken as an opportunity to create a story of success O LE U D T P- at the crossroads of digital technologies, tourism and cultural heritage. EV EO The Register of Slovene Cultural Heritage, specifically the Registry of Immovable Cultural Heritage, EL OP PL E 2 has more than 30,000 entries and the register systematically identifies the protected and most im-M portant immovable cultural heritage in Slovenia. From a tourism development point of view, each EN 02 T 4 of the entries presents an opportunity and a potential source of new digitally enriched interpreta-–2 02 tion and (tourism) experiences. Cultural heritage as a starting point of sustainable tourism devel-5 opment is characterized with deep roots in local culture and the life of local communities, is a re- flection of local, regional, national and cross-border identity and symbolic DNA, as well as relatively evenly dispersed across the country, thus “resisting” the agglomeration effects in tourism (leading to over-tourism, iconisation and over-commercialization/Disneyfication). Each registered object of immovable cultural heritage conveys a value and learning that could be interpreted digitally – and thus presented to new audiences in new engaging ways. It is in this context that local culture and cultural heritage are often seen as ‘unpolished diamonds’ that can be transformed into assets. This can be done by ‘polishing the diamonds’, that is, “turn-ing underused or unused resources, situations, facilities or features into socioeconomic assets” (Schwendler 2012) (as the URBACT OP-ACT Thematic Network suggests (Schlappa 2013). Cultural heritage is widely understood as a powerful economic, educational and social resource (Council of Europe 2017), a “development asset” (Loulanski 2006), a “value-adding industry” (Cernea 2001), and “the most significant product of the 21st century” (Ogino 2002). It is clear that heritage and culture in general are especially valued for their contributions to social innovation as well as for their creative and innovative capacity to attract development and act as catalysts for urban transfor-mation - as discussed in several UNESCO publications (UNESCO 2018; UNESCO 2013; UNESCO 2016). Investments in cultural heritage have already shown both direct and indirect positive impacts. In 2003, Nypan (2006) identified a ratio of 1:27 between direct job creation by heritage institutions and indirect job creation (creative and cultural industries, tourism, etc). For comparison the same ratio of direct to indirect job creation for the automotive industry is 1:6.3. Moreover, a 1998 study found that US$1 million invested in rehabilitation of cultural heritage generates 31.3 jobs, making the impact larger than that for manufacturing (21.3) (Rypkema 1998). In addition, only 16 % of the jobs that are created from investing in cultural heritage are located at the heritage sites (Greffe 2002), meaning that the positive impacts are largely felt in the vicinity and in neighbouring communities. For example, Nypan attributes only 6-10 % of all heritage tourism spending to the actual objects of cultural heritage, while the largest share of spending happens in the broader community (accommodation, food, related cultural supply, other local businesses, etc.). Although the impact of culture is being increasingly analysed and characterized by (cultural) econ-omists (Doyle 2010; Navrud et al. 2002; Srakar 2010; Seaman 2003), as a part of macroeconomics (UNESCO 2015), cultural heritage within development “lacks a real working formula” (Napolitano 2018) that can be used in the practice of ‘polishing diamonds’. Consequently, despite the broad agreement on the need to (socially) innovate at the intersection of heritage and the economy, cul-tural-heritage actors still struggle. 38 tor, tourism management organizations are typically not engaged in the creation of new complex er-R RN evAT tourism products on cultural heritage and are even less incorporating new digital interpretation ieIO on-demand enriched experiences in tourism, most notably in the heritage and cultural tourism sec- Pe INTE Despite that the upcoming trends of the virtual experience economy have an immense potential for technologies. The sectors of tourism (tourism providers, tourism destination management organi- w N edA zations) and cultural heritage (GLAM and regional offices of institute for heritage protection) have L S PrCIE – despite having many touchpoints and common aims – very seldom cooperated in co-creative pro- o ceN cesses. Moreover, digital interpretation technologies – such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, edTIF holographic projections, video mapping, mobile and web apps – have not been common at leading ingIC C Slovenia Tourism 4.0 TRL 3-6, involving all major universities in the country and Arctur, a hi-tech EN UCE I ST company which initiated Tourism 4.0 partnership (Tourism 4.0), the Slovene Ministry for Economic A INT'S A Development and Technology took the lead to pave the way and become one of the leading coun- A BB tries in digitally enriched tourist experiences of cultural heritage. The goal of the Ministry was to Based on the research findings within the largest R&D project focused on tourism in the history of ok FER : S tourist destinations, especially due to a lack of knowledge, skills and dedicated funding. s Bo ON develop new tourism products that take inspiration in cultural heritage, engage new audiences LE OU DT P EV and stakeholders through digital and hybrid interpretation and thusly contribute to interpretation, EO EL OPPL awareness-raising, and documentation of (immovable) cultural heritage. Such projects were envi-E 2 M sioned to have direct results in tourism development, as well as indirect results in supporting crea- EN02 T4 tive and cultural industries, advancing the use of technology in cultural tourism and cultural herit-–2 age, contributing to 3D digitization goals and cross-sectorial cooperation at local levels.025 Using digital tools and technologies, new tourist products stressed the engagement in Sloveni- an cultural heritage and conveyed the message and values of protected CH to visitors, craving for unique and local experiences. Cultural heritage and heritage tourism present a unique opportunity for digitising and digitalising cultural heritage for new co-creative and participative processes. The project was based on understanding the needs and co-creation of added value by fostering new local CH tourism experiences with advanced technology. Technology solutions do not only uniquely represent the local identity but also allow for enriched interpretations and timeless preservation. Projects of digital innovation of CH are thusly intrinsically a combination of product development, storytelling, digital interpretation of CH, advanced technologies (3D digitisation, AR/VR, holograph-ic projections, touchscreens, mobile and web apps, video mapping), user experience design and collaborative co-creative processes. This project equipped individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge to digitally trans-form cultural heritage through a comprehensive approach. It provided workshops, trainings, and a toolkit on cultural hreitage digital innovation, empowering participants before and after appli-cation submission. Sharing new approaches, technical guidelines, and standards aimed to inspire applicants, raise expectations, and ensure high-quality, accurate 3D digitization of CH units through established guidelines. The project fostered collaboration between local, regional, national, and EU stakeholders, gathering and disseminating results nationwide to amplify local and regional impact. Active participation in over 50 EU conferences, symposiums, and workshops (2020-2021) served to further disseminate findings on an EU level, while the project’s presence at Expo 2020 Dubai lever-aged cutting-edge technologies like VR glasses, AR tables, and holograms for impactful presenta-tion. Looking towards sustainability, the project secured participation in new EU projects focused on digitization, immersive tourism products, and education (CINEA, Erasmus+, Horizon Europe), and even established new CH groups, like the national section for underground heritage, dedicated to driving further digital innovation and creating unique tourism experiences. This project empow-ered individuals, fostered collaboration, and established sustainable practices for CH digital innova-tion, not only within the project but across Europe. The project involved 35 tourist destinations in Slovenia and together over 1000 heritage and tour-ism experts, digitalisation experts and technical staff, local NGOs, companies – tourist and other providers, local residents (storytellers) that were included in the digitalisation process and in the creation of the 5-star tourist experiences. It was well recognised on a national and international lev-el. Moreover, the project was awarded the ECTN award in 2021 - the category Cultural and Creative Industries, 2nd place. Several tourist destinations have also received international awards for their 39 w N ed one of European`s leading countries in the digital innovation of CH. A L S Pr CIE o ce N 7 HARNESSING DATA FOR TOURISM: UNVEILING A EUROPEAN STRATEGY ed TIF ing IC C As we’ve seen, data – both numerical and 3D – is revolutionizing tourist experiences and manage-s Bo O N ment. The European Commission (2024) recognizes data as “a key ingredient for innovative prod-FE ok R ucts and services,” and aims to unlock its value for Europe. : S EN U er-R RN The project was completed in December 2021, with 114 units of digitized cultural heritage and de-ev AT veloped 31 5-star (unique, local) tourist experiences. With it, Slovenia has become the pioneer and ie IO Pe IN has been presented at Expo 2020 in Dubai. TE projects (Top 100 Destination Sustainability Story, BIG SEE Tourism Award…). Moreover, the project ST CE I In February 2020, the European strategy for data outlined a plan to create “common European data A spaces” in strategic fields like tourism, cultural heritage, and media. These spaces will gradually IN T'S A A form a single European data market that upholds EU regulations and values, particularly regarding B B O LE U personal data, consumer protection, and competition. Open to participation, they will offer secure, D T P privacy-preserving infrastructure and fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory access rules. EV EO EL OP The vision is to unleash the potential of data-driven innovation, especially by empowering data PL E 2 M holders to share their data for free or for compensation. In this way, data spaces share many goals EN 02 T 4 with the Tourism 4.0 initiative. Data from related projects, initiatives, and pilots will be, or will soon –2 be, included in these common data spaces for tourism, heritage, and media. 02 5 As a Tourism 4.0 initiator, Arctur plays a crucial role in establishing and implementing data spaces and related activities. Arctur thus bridges the gap between local, bottom-up projects and broader strategic initiatives and trends and present a unique partner in digitalisation pathway for many pub-lic and private players. 40 REFERENCES Pe INTE 1. Arctur. High Performance Computing, Cloud Computing, Mobile and Web Design, 4PM. Available at: er -RRN https://www.arctur.si/ (February 7, 2024). evAT ieIO 2. BeyondSnow. 2023. Enhancing the Resilience of Alpine Space Snow Tourism Destinations and Com- wN edA munities to Climate Change. Available at: Alpine Space Programme (February 7, 2024).L S Pr 3. Beyond Snow Project Developments. Tourism 4.0. Available at: https://tourism4-0.org/beyond- oCIE ceN-snow-project-developments (August 29, 2023). edTIF 4. Cernea, Michael M. 2001. Cultural Heritage and Development: A Framework for Action in the Middle ingIC C 6. Doyle, Gillian. 2010. Why Culture Attracts and Resists Economic Analysis. Journal of Cultural Econo-European Cultural Heritage Strategy for the 21st Century. Adopted by the Committee of Ministers EN UCE I on 22 February 2017 at the 1278 meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies. CM/Rec (2017)1. Council of ST A INT'S A Europe: Strasbourg. A BB 5. Council of Europe. 2017. Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on the ok FER : S East and North Africa. The World Bank. s Bo ON 7. Greffe, Xavier. 2002. mics 34(4): 245-259. LE OU DT P EVEO La Valorisation Économique du Patrimoine, Rapport au Dep et à la Dapa. Paris: EL OPPL Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication.E 2 M EN 8. Loulanski, Tolina. 2006. Cultural Heritage in Socio-Economic Development: Local and Global Per-02 T4 spectives. Environments: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 34(2).–202 9. Napolitano, Pasquale. 2018. The Socio-economic Impact of the Cultural Heritage on the Communiti-5 es. Digicult. 10. Navrud, Ståle, and Richard C. Ready, eds. 2002. Valuing Cultural Heritage: Applying Environmental Valuation Techniques to Historic Buildings, Monuments and Artifacts. Edward Elgar Publishing. 11. Nypan, Terje. 2006. Cultural Heritage Monuments and Historic Buildings as Value Generators in a Post-industrial Economy. Rev. 12. Ogino, Masahiro. 2002. The Sociology of Cultural Heritage: From the Louvre to Hiroshima Dome. Tokyo: Shin-Yo-Sha. 13. Planinska zveza Slovenije. Projekt PLANINSTVO 4.0. Available at: https://www.pzs.si/vsebina. php?pid=281 (February 1, 2024). 14. Rypkema, Donovan. 1998. Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation. Forum News 4, no. 5. 15. Schwendler, H. U. 2012. Polishing Diamonds: Utilising ‘Undiscovered’ Potentials in Shrinking Cities. Unpublished working paper of the URBACT Workstream on Shrinking Cities and Demographic Change. Friendly Cities: A Framework for Action. 16. Schlappa, Hans, and J.V. William Neil. 2013. Cities of Tomorrow – Action Today. URBACT II Capitalisa- tion. From Crisis to Choice: Re-imagining the Future in Shrinking Cities. Saint-Denis: URBACT. 17. Seaman, Bruce A. 2003. Beyond Economic Impact. In The Arts in a New Millennium: Research and the Arts Sector. Praeger. 18. Srakar, Andrej. 2010. Ekonomsko Vrednotenje Umetniških Dogodkov: Umetnost Med Trgom in Drža- vo. Fakulteta za Družbene Vede. 19. Tourism 4.0 – Enriched Tourism Experience, Tourism 4.0. Available at: https://tourism4-0.org/ (February 7, 2024). 20. UNESCO. 2013. The Hangzhou Declaration Placing Culture at the Heart of Sustainable Development Policies. Adopted in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, on 17 May 2013. Available at: http:// www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CLT/images/FinalHangzhouDeclarati- on20130517.pdf (February 7, 2024). 21. UNESCO. 2015. Recommendation Concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Col- lections, Their Diversity and Their Role in Society. Adopted by the General Conference at its 38th Session, Paris, 17 November 2015. Available at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/ pf0000246331 (February 7, 2024). 22. UNESCO. 2016. Culture: Urban Future; Global Report on Culture for Sustainable Urban Development; Summary. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246291. 41 w N edAL S Pr AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES o CIE ce N ed TIF Urška Starc Peceny, PhD, CIO and Tourism 4.0 Lead at Arctur, Assistant Professor at Doba Faculty, is a ing IC C tourism expert specialised in strategic planning and a member of various expert groups at EU level. s Bo O N She is a project leader with extensive experience in development of innovations and their imple-FE ok mentation in tourism. R : S EN U er-R RN 24. World Travel and Tourism Council. 2024. “Economic Impact Research.” Available at: https://wttc. ev AT org/research/economic-impact (February 7, 2024). ie IO Pe IN re-2030/en/Brochure-UNESCO-Culture-SDGs-EN2.pdf. TE 23. UNESCO. 2018. Culture for the 2030 Agenda. http://www.unesco.org/culture/flipbook/cultu- ST CE I Katarina Ceglar, Deputy Head of Tourism 4.0, is a co-author of Slovenian Action plan for Strategic Re- A search Innovative Partnership for sustainable tourism and other publications. For the last few years, IN T'S A A she has been managing R&D cultural heritage activities and R&D Tourism 4.0 strategic projects. She B B O LE is also a certified trainer and mentor for students. U D T P EV Matevž Straus, Heritage+ Lead, holds an Erasmus Mundus M.Sc. degree in Urban Studies as well as EO EL MSc degree in Market Communication and B.A. degree in Analytical Sociology, both from University OP PL E 2 M of Ljubljana. Over last 10 years, he has been working at the crossroad of heritage and innovation and EN 02 led several award-winning projects. T 4 –2 Andraž Orehar, TIM and AAT product lead, is an experienced product manager. He acts as senior ex- 02 pert in R&D projects where he contributes with his extensive experience in processing data and the 5 preparation of innovative assessment tools. Due to his background, he is especially active in projects related to Tourism. Vesna Kobal holds a BSc in Marketing Communication at the University of Ljubljana. Currently she is Tech Development Lead for Tourism 4.0 department with special focus on implementing new tech-nologies (Big Data Analytics, IoT etc.) for various Tourism 4.0 applications. She has broad experience as product manager and project manager. Petra Škodlar, senior project manager, holds a BA in Geography and Cultural Anthropology. She has worked with tourism and sustainable development topics for over 10 years. As an experienced pro-ject leader, she currently manages R&D projects related to implementing innovative technologies into the tourism and cultural heritage sectors. Tomi Ilijaš is founder and CEO of Arctur and he holds an MSc degree from Ljubljana University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering. He is an entrepreneur focusing on Hi-Tech innovation. His recent research focus is on transferring new technologies like HPDA, IoT and Blockchain from Industry 4.0 to tourism. 42 Published professional conference contribution Pe INTE 1.09 Objavljeni strokovni prispevek na konferenci er-R RN evAT ieIO TORRENTIAL FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES – w N edAL S Pr o SUSTAINABLE RECOVERYCIE ceN edTIF ingIC C Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia ok FER : S Franc Vidic, Lecturer, PhD s Bo ON ABSTRACT IN T'S A A BB Storms, floods, and landslides are risks we face. This paper describes torrential floods and land -O LEU D slides and their recovery. The recovery strategy must help people return from disaster to normal ST CE I A U EN aspects that can only be achieved by striking an effective balance between the natural environ PL -E 2 M ment, human response, and technology. EN02 T4 Due to abundant rainfall and rapid rainwater runoff, torrential and flat waters rise and overflow life, but the next step must also be sustainable. It involves environmental, social, and economic EO EL OP EV T P –2 riverbeds. Floodwaters are associated with erosion, landslides, the carrying away of soil on riv- 02 erbanks, as well as deposits of materials carried by swollen rivers. Raging waters cause signif- 5 icant damage to rural agriculture. Rapid response and remediation of the damage help reduce the consequences and allow for the continuation of activities. The main goal of sustainable re-covery is to develop long-term solutions for natural and human stakeholders. During heavy rainfall, torrents grow, and landslides are triggered. In such cases, it is important to act quickly and efficiently. The first step is to address activities connected with public safety, health, welfare, security, and the minimization of environmental impact. Torrents and torrential areas must be managed in a natural manner, using a sustainable and interdisciplinary approach to recover from downpours, floods, and landslides. This paper is prepared by conducting a series of relevant literature reviews in the field of land sub-sidence and flooding of torrents and by analysing several damage cases in the municipality of Škofja Loka during the heavy rainfall in August 2023. Based on the relevant research, we have found out that there are many possibilities for improving current practices of torrents reconstruction. Keywords: Sustainability, Flood, Landslides, Torrents 43 Pe 1 INTRODUCTION IN TE er-R R Torrential floods and landslides are indeed complex natural phenomena that can be caused by both N ev AT local conditions and human activities. Factors such as unfavourable geological conditions, diverse ie IO w morphology, and heavy precipitation during rainfall contribute to the occurrence of these disasters. N ed A L S Additionally, climate change and its impact on the hydrologic system can further exacerbate the Pr frequency and intensity of such events (Haasnoot et al. 2009). o CIE ce N ed The warming caused by climate change has significant implications for the environment. It can lead TIF ing IC C to increased temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and alterations in the frequency and U EN Heavy rain is generally classified as falling at a rate of greater than or equal to 7.6 mm of water per CE I ST A hour (Coen and Shah 2023). Floods in Slovenia can occur at any time of the year, but most of them, and IN T'S A the heaviest ones occur in spring and autumn (Mikuš et al. 2004). In August 2023, Slovenia was hit by A B B O ok FE slides, contributing to the occurrence of flood and landslide disasters. R : S s Bo O intensity of natural events. These changes, including heavy rainfall, can trigger torrents and land-N LE severe weather: downpours (heavy rain), torrential floods and landslides caused destruction. The RS U D T P Environment Agency ARSO (2023) issued a red warning for north-eastern, north-western and central EV EO Slovenia. This year was the first time that the summer warmth was above average and wet on record. EL OP PL E 2 High temperatures, evaporation, accelerated formation of weather fronts, intense precipitation. M EN 02 In Slovenia, rock falls, landslides, torrential erosion in headwaters, and riverbank erosion are the T 4 –2 most hazardous phenomena. These natural hazards pose a risk to the country’s infrastructure, set- 02 tlements, and natural environment. Land sliding and erosion occur in approximately 43 % of the ter- 5 ritory (some 8,800 km 2 of labile or potentially unstable slopes), where some 8,000 km of torrential streams drain water from nearly 400 torrential watersheds (Mikuš et al. 2004). 1.1 Torrents Torrent floods are inevitable; rivers burst their banks and flood, and a series of related chain reac-tions ensue. Torrents are mountain streams that rise quickly and strongly in case of heavy rainfall, of-ten only for a short time. The danger of torrents lies in the large amounts of torrential debris (rang-ing from sand and unrounded gravel to larger erosion debris and larger rock blocks) that is eroded and washed away by torrential waters, as well as by debris (wood, trunks, branches, roots) that the torrent uproots in its catchment area or from its bed. Torrents with great erosive power erode banks, shift riverbeds, and carry away dams and bridges. Landslides and sediments occur, groundwater and water sources are polluted, spills of inadequately protected hazardous substances occur. As a result of polluted silt and other material deposited on the plains, the fertility of cultivated land is decreasing. Sometimes, due to pollution, the land is even unusable without thorough rehabilitation. Sensitive ecosystems are destroyed. Infrastructural and industrial facilities are flooded and damaged (roads, electricity, and water networks). Due to rising waters and sediments, human lives are also threatened (Vidic 2023). Areas where there is erosion and creeping of soils and landslides pose a specific problem. 1.2 Landslides Landslides resulting from failures of natural balance in Slovenia have been mostly associated with geological and morphological conditions (Mikuš et al. 2004). Aside from heavy rain, the triggering factors for landslides include the geological structure, terrain’s ruggedness, the weather’s thickness, vegetation, various interventions (excavations, roads), and additional loads. Rock weathering is a natural process that gradually weakens the soil. Due to weathering, the strength of the rock gradu-ally decreases, and at some point, gravity exceeds the shear strengths at the weakest face within the earth mass. Additional factors, such as a greater amount of water during heavy rains, further weak-en the unstable rock. The water-soaked ground mass becomes destabilized and begins to move when it is undermined when the slope is overburdened when watercourses erode when there is an earthquake, or due to other external natural or human unfavourable factors. Stable slopes can transition from apparent stability to untamed dynamics, threatening life and property. Landslides annually inflict damage and disrupt the functionality and structure of various elements, including 44 the ground, etc. If there are several landslides, this is a clear sign that the terrain is prone to creeping. w N edAL S Experts can predict potentially dangerous areas based on the type of bedrock, the thickness of the PrCIE o weather cover, the shape of the terrain, the slope of the slope, and the occurrence of surface and ceN ed underground water (Ribičič 2014).TIF ingIC C Landslides may be triggered by human activities, such as adding excessive weight above the slope, or s BoON digging at mid-slope or at the foot of the slope. Often, individual phenomena join to generate insta- okFER bility over time, which often does not allow a reconstruction of the evolution of a particular landslide. : SEN U Slopes where movements are already taking place and may indicate a future landslide can be rec- er-R RN evAT ognized by the wavy shape of the terrain, the sabre-like curvature of trees, inclined poles, cracks in ieIO lines, electricity grids, agricultural crops, and forests. Pe INTE terrain degradation, residential buildings, road networks, sewage systems, telecommunications 1.3 Restoration process ST CE I A INT'S A A Reducing the damage is basic. Regulating natural watercourses requires a broader knowledge of BBO LEU natural laws because each watercourse in nature is a world unto itself, and the animals, plants and DT P other organisms that live in it form a complete ecosystem. According to the Water Act (PIS 2023):”In- EVEO EL terventions for water regulation must be planned and implemented in such a way that they do OPPLE 2 M not significantly deteriorate the properties of the water regime and do not significantly disrupt the EN02 natural balance of water and riparian ecosystems” and “Water management must follow the prin- T4–2 ciple of integrity, which takes into account the natural processes and dynamics of water, as well as 02 the interconnection and interdependence of water and riparian ecosystems in the catchment area”.5 Hydronomic works and river restoration techniques refer to a large variety of ecological, physical, spatial, and management measures and practices. These are aimed at restoring the natural state and functioning of a natural system in support of biodiversity, recreation, flood safety, and land-scape development. Plant communities (biodiversity) change spatially and temporally in response to the input of water and sediment supplied by the stream system. Interventions in the water area should be reduced to the least possible measure by returning at least part of their space to the wa-ters. Many species will be able to survive in such an area, and the water quality will increase with the help of greater biodiversity (Globevnik et al. 2010). Hydronomic works, by nature, constitute significant protection-environmental works. In recent years, extreme floods, the need for ecological reconstruction of rivers, and the prospect of future global change has raised the awareness that new water management strategies might be needed over the forthcoming years to ensure sustainable water system use. Two systems interact (Haasnoot et al. 2009): society responds to events, and the state of the water system changes in response to management. Planning and managing water resources, sustainable development, and strategies on a river basin level (Bandaragoda and Babel 2010) must integrate the collective efforts of many groups to ensure river basins remain environmentally and economically sustainable over the long term. The appropriate arrangement brings socio-economic benefits (beneficial impact on the quality of the living environment, price acceptability of the arrangement, etc.). 2 PURPOSE AND GOALS The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the awareness of the complexity and dynamics of the living environment, which is full of uncertainty. Environment is not intended only for humans. After a disaster, the initial activities are oriented towards protecting people’s lives and property, economic infrastructure, and return to normal life. On recovery, it is important to set up a strategy to find sustainable solutions, an interdisciplinary approach that takes into account ecosystems, ecosystem services, and human presence. We cannot predict everything. The national strategic goal is as follows: »There will be no torrents and torrential areas in Slovenia that are not managed sustainably, and new damage potential shall not be created in areas of danger and hazard.« Our research took place from August to December 2023 during intervention activities after a disaster in the municipality of Škofja Loka. The goals of the research were these: 1. field mapping of floods, torrents, and landslides, 45 w ION edAL S 3 METHODS Pr CIE o After studying the relevant professional and scientific articles on heavy rain, torrents, and land-ce N ed TIF slides, we prepared summaries. We were part of the restoration team and went to the field on the ing IC C first day. s Bo O N The basis is inventorying and field mapping of torrents and landslides. All data from field work were ok er TE-RRN As the final goal, we discussed a long-term sustainable restoration strategy. ev AT ie Pe IN 3. first problem-solving activities. 2. detecting causes of the torrential and landscape damage, : S FER part of an interventional restoration project. All data were collected, analysed, and interpreted. EN U The field work took place from August to December 2023 and consisted of inventorying the damage CE I ST A and preparing intervention measures. We used topographical and geological maps, and LIDAR Slo- IN T'S A A venia online. In the field, we used geological tools. B B O LE U D T P EV EO 4 RESULTS EL OP PL E 2 Due to the heavyrain on 4 August, the streams in Idrija, Cerkno, and Škofja Loka hills overflowed. M EN The floods began on 3 August at around 8 p.m. According to ARSO (2023), the worst flooding was 02 T 4 in the foothills of the Julian Alps, from Idrija through the Ljubljana basin to Slovenian Carinthia, –2 02 where 150–200 mm fell; on Loibl, 275 mm fell in 48 hours. A red hydrological warning was also 5 issued for rivers. Due to heavy rain, the National Flood Protection and Rescue Plan was activated. Since the very beginning, the main priority was to help the affected people. In the first weeks after the disaster, we primarily helped by providing temporary accommodation and funds for the basic necessities of life, but going forward, assistance will mainly come in the form of funds to rebuild damaged and replace destroyed homes (Government of the Republic of Slovenia 2023). Floods and landslides affected 183 of Slovenia’s 212 municipalities, with 104 municipalities severe-ly impacted. The total area affected is estimated at 17,203 square kilometres. To date, the Slovenian Government has provided EUR 515.9 million to help people, municipalities and the economy (Gov-ernment of the Republic of Slovenia 2023). Goal 1: Field mapping of floods, torrents and landslides Floods, torrents and landslides mainly occur in lower hilly areas that are typical of the preAlpine regions. Figure 1: This area has very torrential geomorphological characteristics. Downpours, torrential floods and landslides cause destruction. (Photo: M. Frlan and F. Vidic, 2023). 46 rainfall in the future (Figure 2). er-R RN evAT ieIO technical infrastructures that were damaged and may be damaged even more severely by torrential Pe INTE Our fieldwork was to inventory: damage caused by rivers and torrents, landslides, roads, and geo- Figure 2: Graphical representation of damaged river and torrents; course landslides; roads and ge- w N edA otechnical infrastructures that were damaged and may be even more severely damaged by future L S Pr torrential rainfall in the municipality of Škofja Loka. Along the Poljanska and the Selška Sora, how- oCIE ceN ever, the rivers eroded their banks, overflowed them and deposited large amounts of material. edTIF ingIC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 Depending on the geology and morphology, torrential waters forcefully undermine large amounts of solid material (erosion), transport the washed-out sediments, and deposit them (the Poljanska Sora, the Selška Sora, the Sora). In steep torrents, the transport of washed-out sediments causes the for-mation of mudflows. The following streams flow into the Selška Sora: Prifarški and Vincarski potok, Srednjiška grapa, Bukovščica, and Luša. Into the Poljanska Sora there flow: Brezniška, Baja Ženkova, Gabrška, Petruzova and Kumrova grapa, and on the other bank: Krniška grapa, Hriboska, Močilska and Bodolska grapa, Sovpat, and Hrastnica. Headwaters in river basins greatly influence the ecological state of the water, the water balance, and the sedimentary regime of the river system. Goal 2: Detecting causes of the torrential and landscape damage Damage caused by torrents and triggered landslides depends on the geological structure, terrain’s ruggedness, the weather’s thickness, vegetation, various interventions (excavations, roads), and additional loads. The hills in the Škofja Loka municipality are typical of the pre-alpine world; they are built of car-bonate and clastic rocks. The damage mostly belongs to the unstable area of younger Paleozoic clastite formation (Carboniferous, Lower and Middle Permian). The dominating rocks are red, green and grey slates, siltstones and sandstones; in some places quartz conglomerates can be found. The rocks are tectonically damaged due to thrusts and faults, and weathered at the surface. Only a small number of landslides belong to weathered soil on Triassic rocks. 47 Figure 3: Landslides may be triggered by anthropic activities. er TE-R Pe IN ie IO wN edAL S PrCIE ev RNAT ceo ed TIFN ing IC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M (Photo: F. Vidic, 2023) EN 02 T 4 –2 We registered more than 50 landslides of various sizes and triggers, including geological, morpho-02 logical, physical, and human. Heavy rain was an external but the basic trigger in this case. 5 Landslides were the result of natural and anthropogenic factors: - construction works: excavation for road cuts, backfilling of storage plateaus, construction pits, and similar. Excavations and embankments cause excessive loading of unstable slopes, resulting in land- slides of destabilized soil, which are triggered above and below an area in the natural environment; - landslides on meadows that were the result of soil accumulation in the lower part of former arable land; - the rising waters of the torrents undermined the banks and consequently caused the triggering of landslides; - in some places, the torrential rains clogged culverts with their sediment; the water then flowed down the carriageway, eroding and undermining unprotected shoulders; - inappropriate construction methods and locations of buildings;- failure to comply with the instructions of experts and their project solutions when remedying past mistakes; - numerous poorly maintained forest trails vulnerable to torrential activities. Goal 3: Initial problem-solving activities. The Government is working intensively on a reconstruction and development act, the main purpose of which is to ensure effective reconstruction, and is also intensifying its work on the financial archi-tecture of the reconstruction (Government of the Republic of Slovenia 2023). One of the first activi-ties after catastrophic torrential floods and landslides is the reconstruction of infrastructure (roads, energy and water supply, telecommunications). The torrential restoration structures are projects for the protection and stabilization of rivers and riverbeds against any kind of erosion, slides, and general causes that can upset the stability of land, but not only agricultural. Also, they have a strong natural environmental character due to the pro-tection of flora and fauna in torrent areas. The protective principle involves approaches for broader protection. In order to protect the main watercourses (the Poljanska and the Selška Sora, the Sora) from flood and erosion phenomena, torrent restoration works include the following:- returning rivers to their watercourses, - cleaning debris from sand, pebbles, rocks, and wood, - restoration of eroded banks with dry composition (big rocks) or rock and concrete structures, and backfill in the background, - repair and replacement of bridges. 48 - water course reconstruction, w N edAL S- restoration of eroded banks with dry composition (big rocks) or rock and concrete structures, and PrCIE o backfill in the background, ceN ed- if necessary, use of transverse structures on torrents (on hilly watercourses) to rehabilitate ero-TIF ingIC C sion hotspots, protect conditionally stable slopes, etc. (Figure 4), s BoON- restoration of damaged infrastructure. okFER : SEN Figure 4: Different barriers serve to mitigate torrential erosion. “Kašta”, a barrier made from wood structures on torrents stabilize the bottom and prevent deep erosion, and the barriers represent an er-R RN evAT additional stable heel of the creeping slope. At the first restoration steps, restoration teams employ: ieIO interrupt the deposition of ordinary alluvium and alluvium during storms. In addition, transverse Pe INTE The following torrent stream facilities prevent the deepening of the riverbed and retain, filter, and and rocks, „kašta“, a barrier made from concrete lamellae and rocks, a ramp built with stones, and A T'S A IN a weir of stone and concrete structure. A B STU CE I LE BOU DT P EVEO EL OPPLE 2 M EN T 024–2025 (Photo: F. Vidic, 2023) Landslides. Common occurrence of mass landslides in the mountains leads to serious impacts on the environment, infrastructure and economic activity of man; it is therefore important to reduce their consequences with the following activities: - protection of the landslide area, - tree removal, - removal of low-quality material from the landslide area,- heel stabilization and foundation preparation, - stone-concrete layer, if necessary, - backfilling with water-permeable material, - grassing the surface. 5 DISCUSSION This paper shows the first urgent actions that are important to return life after a disaster back to nor-mal. But we must think forward to the next step, of long-term planning to improve protection from torrent floods and landslides and integrate different knowledge into a sustainable strategy. PreAl-pine areas are predominantly mountainous, and a large number of torrential phenomena cause serious damage to the mountainous and lowland areas, i.e., they affect people, animals, vegeta-tion, etc. The restoration must improve torrential conditions from the technical, environmental, and socio-economic points of view. 49 w N ience of the river systems and provides the framework system in support of biodiversity, recreation, ed A L S Pr flood safety, and landscape development (Varras et al. 2015). CIE o Therefore, understanding and addressing the complex interactions between natural factors, human ce N ed TIF activities, and climate change is crucial for effective mitigation and adaptation measures. By con-ing IC C sidering these aspects, it is possible to develop strategies and policies that aim to reduce the risks s Bo O N associated with torrential floods and landslides and promote sustainable development in vulnera-ok FE R ble areas. Torrents and torrential areas are an important part of the natural environment. By natu-: S EN U er-R R and management practices. Restoring the sustainable, multifunctional use of torrents, rivers, and N ev AT streams aims to restore the natural state and functioning of a natural condition. It improves the resil-ie IO Pe IN ration works and river restoration techniques refer to a large variety of ecological, physical, spatial, TE Riverine wetlands in a natural setting are part of a dynamic self-sustaining stream corridor. Resto-STA CE I rally managing these areas, we can help to protect them from damage and ensure their long-term IN T'S A health. We should also avoid placing new developments in areas of danger. This will help to reduce B BO LEU A the risk of landslides and other natural disasters. D The sustainable restoration system improves of the torrential conditions and adjusts torrential ben- EL this system, depending on the local conditions of the study area, restoration projects are dominated OP PL EV T P efits (environmental, socio-economic, etc.) in a continuously improved torrential environment. In EO EN 02 T4 For sustainable restoration, it is important to have a big picture and act as follows: –2 M E 2 by horticultural, agrotechnical works or technical concrete structures (Pavlidis 2006). 02 - Avoid unnecessary interventions in nature.- If it is impossible to avoid the exploitation of space, we should understand how nature breathes 5 and consider natural laws. Large and heavy machinery does not mean a long-term victory. - For major interventions, take into account the opinion of geomechanics, and for smaller ones, experience and, of course, common sense. - After carrying out construction works, the land should be adequately rehabilitated, grassed, and reforested, watercourses and drainage of water should be provided. - Each intervention should also be monitored and, if necessary, maintained. This applies both to forest trails intended for harvesting wood as well as to other interventions. 6 CONCLUSION Damage resulting from natural disasters is increasing. Restoration works, flood control structures, stabilization of the riverbed, retention of moving sediment, and protection are important actions for protecting the human and natural environment (Varras et al. 2015). The future will be complex. In the context of torrents and landslides, it is important to develop ro-bust, flexible, adaptable, and integrated concepts for mitigation and restoration. These concepts should consider the complex and dynamic nature of these phenomena and should be able to adapt to a wide range of potential future scenarios. Every intervention must be carefully considered and implemented promptly and professionally. Sustainable management strategies must be holistic and comprehensive, considering current and future challenges. This includes identifying existing vulnerabilities and developing adaptation strategies for various possible futures. By taking a proactive approach, we can reduce the risk of water-related disasters and build a more resilient future for our communities. We must see the big picture, have a vision of how to deal in different situations with torrent floods and landslide restoration, and improve the conditions of the human and natural environment. Tak-ing a proactive and integrated approach to torrent flood and landslide management, we can build a more resilient future for the economy and community. We can also protect the natural environment and ensure that it will be healthy and productive for future generations. 50 REFERENCES Pe INTE 1. ARSO. 2023. Nalivi in obilne padavine od 3. do 6. avgusta 2023. Available at: https://meteo.arso. er -RRN gov.si/uploads/probase/www/climate/text/sl/weather_events/padavine_3-6avg2023.pdf evAT ie (September 20. 2023).IO wN edA 2. Bandaragoda D. J., and Mukand S. Babel. 2010. Institutional Development for IWRM: An Interna-L S Pr tional Perspective. International Journal of River Basin Management 8(3-4): 215–224. oCIE ceN 3. Coen, Eli, and Armaan Shah. 2023. Torrential Rain. Available at: https://skydayproject.com/tor- edTIF rential-rain (January 2. 2024). ingIC C 5. Government of the Republic of Slovenia. 2023. More than half a billion euro to help people, bu- EN UCE I sinesses and municipalities to recover from floods. Available at: https://www.gov.si/en/news/ ST A INT'S A 2023-10-05-more-than-half-a-billion-euro-to-help-people-businesses-and-municipalities-to- A BB-recover-from-floods/ (January 2, 2024). 4. Globevnik, Lidija, Gorazd Urbančič, Monika Petetrlin, and Meta Povž, 2010. Biotska raznovrstnost s Bo ON je življenje. Slovenski vodar, 21-22. Ljubljana, Društvo vodarjev. ok FER : S 6. Haasnoot, M., Hans Middelkoop, Ermond van Beek and W. P. A. van Deursen. 2009. A Method to LE OU DT P EV Develop Sustainable Water Management Strategies for an Uncertain Future. Sustainable Develo-EO EL OPPL pment. Wiley InterScience.E 2 M 7. Mikuš, Matjaž, Mitja Brilly and Mihael Ribičič. 2004. Floods and Landslides in Slovenia, Acta hydro- EN02 T4 technica, 22/37, 113–133, Ljubljana–202 8. PIS 2023. Zakon o vodah (Uradni list RS, št. 67/02, 2/04 – ZZdrI-A, 41/04 – ZVO-1, 57/08, 57/12, 5 100/13, 40/14, 56/15, 65/20, 35/23 – odl. US in 78/23 – ZUNPEOVE). 9. Ribičič, Mihael. 2014. E-plaz Zemeljski plazovi in usadi. Available at: https://www.e-plaz.si/Ribi- cic/ZemljinskiPlazovi.html. (January 10. 2020). 10. Varras, G., Ia, Tsirogiannis, Cha, Myriounis and V., Pavlidis. 2015. The Effects of Irrigation and Dra- inage on Rural and Urban Landscapes, Patras, Greece. Agriculture and Agricultural Science Procedia 4: 261–270. 11. Vidic, Franc. 2023. Huda ura na Škofjeloškem. Moje podeželje 22: 25-28. Strahinj, Biotehniški cen- ter Naklo. 51 w N edAL S Pr ANALIZA PRISOTNOSTI TEŽKIH KOVIN V o CIE ce N INDUSTRIJSKIH ODPADKIH IN NJIHOV UČINEK ed TIF ing IC C NA OKOLJE s Bo O N ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METAL PRESENCE IN INDUSTRIAL ok FE R : S WASTE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT EN U er-R RN evAT ieIO Pe IN Published professional conference contribution TE 1.09 Objavljeni strokovni prispevek na konferenci ST CE I A INT'S A Melita Srpak, PhD A B B O Zavod za prostorno uređenje, Varaždin, Croatia LE U D T P Silvija Zeman, PhD EV EO EL Međimursko veleučilište u Čakovcu, Čakovec, Croatia OP PL E 2 M Tanja Bagar, PhD EN 02 T 4 Institut ICANNA, Slovenia –2 Univerza Alma Mater Europaea, Slovenia 02 Cerop d.o.o. 5 POVZETEK Sodobno opazovanje narave odpadkov razkriva kompleksen in neizogiben proces preobliko-vanja predmetov iz uporabnih stvari v odpadne materiale. Ta naravna dinamika vključuje faze obrabe, razpada in končnega zavržka, kar označuje njihov prehod v nepotrebnost. V kontekstu pospešenega razvoja tehnologije in industrije je prisotna ekspanzija proizvodnje različnih vrst odpadkov, pri čemer se posebej izpostavlja problematika množične proizvodnje nevarnih od-padkov. Ta pojav je neposredno povezan s povečanjem števila potrošnikov, kar dodatno obreme-njuje sisteme ravnanja z odpadki. Nevarni odpadki predstavljajo posebno kategorijo odpadkov, ki se najpogosteje generirajo v industrijskih obratih kot stranski produkt različnih proizvodnih procesov. Ta vrsta odpadkov prihaja iz različnih sektorjev, vključno s kemijsko, elektroenerget-sko in metalurško industrijo, in je označena z lastnostmi, ki jih naredijo nevarne za zdravje lju-di in okolje. Ključni cilj tega dela je proučevanje in upravljanje nevarnih odpadkov, s posebnim poudarkom na materialih, ki vsebujejo različne vrste in koncentracije težkih kovin. Težke kovi-ne, kot so svinec, živo srebro, kadmij in baker, so prisotne v mnogih industrijskih procesih in se lahko kopičijo v okolju, povzročajo resne ekološke in zdravstvene težave. V delu se podrobno analizira vsako od težkih kovin, vključno z njihovimi viri, kemijskimi lastnostmi ter potencialnimi učinki na zdravje ljudi in ekosisteme. Prav tako se raziskuje koncentracija težkih kovin v različ-nih vrstah odpadkov, da bi bolje razumeli povezavo med industrijskimi praksami in nastajanjem nevarnih odpadkov. Na koncu, v zaključku dela, je analizirana zastopanost težkih kovin glede na vrsto odpadkov v letu 2018, kar poudarja potrebo po razvoju učinkovitih sistemov za ravnanje in upravljanje nevarnih odpadkov. To delo poudarja pomembnost integracije trajnostnih praks v industrijske procese, da bi zmanjšali proizvodnjo nevarnih odpadkov in minimizirali negativne vplive na okolje in zdravje ljudi. Ključne besede: analiza, odpadki, odlagališče, težke kovine, toksičnost 52 ABSTRACT Pe INTE Modern observation of the nature of waste reveals a complex and inevitable process of trans- er -RRN forming objects from useful items into waste materials. This natural dynamic includes phases evAT ie of wear, decay, and final disposal, marking their transition into obsolescence. In the context of IO wN edA accelerated technological and industrial development, there is an expansion in the production L S Pr of various types of waste, particularly highlighting the issue of mass production of hazardous oCIE waste. This phenomenon is directly linked to the increase in the number of consumers, further ceN edTIF burdening waste management systems. Hazardous waste represents a specific category of ingIC C waste that is most commonly generated in industrial facilities as a byproduct of various produc- s BoON tion processes. This type of waste originates from different sectors, including chemical, energy, okFER and metallurgy industries, and is characterized by properties that make it dangerous to human : SEN U health and the environment. The key objective of this paper is the study and management of CE I ST A hazardous waste, with a particular focus on materials containing various types and concentra- INT'S A tions of heavy metals. Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and copper, are present A BBO LE in many industrial processes and can accumulate in the environment, causing serious ecological U DT P and health problems. The paper thoroughly analyzes each of these heavy metals, including their EVEO EL sources, chemical properties, and potential effects on human health and ecosystems. It also in - OPPLE 2 vestigates the concentration of heavy metals in different types of waste to better understand M EN the connection between industrial practices and the generation of hazardous waste. Finally, the 02 T4 conclusion of the paper analyzes the representation of heavy metals according to waste type in –202 2018, highlighting the need for the development of effective systems for the disposal and man -5 agement of hazardous waste. This work emphasizes the importance of integrating sustainable practices into industrial processes to reduce the production of hazardous waste and minimize negative impacts on the environment and human health. Keywords: Analysis, Waste, Landfill, Heavy metals, Toxicity 53 Pe 1 UVOD IN TE er Proučevanje okolja razkriva, da vse snovi, prej ali slej, postanejo odpadki. Zaradi pospešenega ra--R R N ev AT zvoja tehnologije in industrije prihaja do množične proizvodnje odpadkov, kar predstavlja resen ie IO w globalni problem. Ta pojav povzroča izzive, povezane s hitrostjo predelave, recikliranja in odstranje-N ed A L S vanja, ter se šteje za enega ključnih izzivov sodobne civilizacije. Razvoj hitrih in učinkovitih metod Pr recikliranja postaja nujen, da zmanjšamo obremenitev odlagališč odpadkov in ponovno uporabimo o CIE ce N materiale (Briški 2016; Harada 1995). Ravnanje z odpadki vključuje zbiranje, skladiščenje, obdelavo, ed TIF odlaganje, uvoz, izvoz in prevoz odpadkov, zapiranje in saniranje objektov, namenjenih odlaganju ing IC C odpadkov, ter površin, onesnaženih z odpadki (Srpak 2017; Oladimeji et al. 2024). Namen tega dela s Bo O N je raziskati trajnostne rešitve za zmanjšanje negativnih vplivov na okolje, ohranitev naravnih virov ok FE R : S in zagotavljanje trajnostne prihodnosti. Obnovitev virov postaja ključna za podaljšanje življenjske EN U CE I dobe izdelkov in zmanjšanje količine odpadkov. Razvoj učinkovitih metod recikliranja ter izobra-ST A ževanje javnosti o pomenu zmanjšanja porabe in pravilnega odlaganja odpadkov sta bistvena za IN T'S A A B B reševanje tega problema. Neustrezno odlaganje velikih količin odpadkov na divjih odlagališčih še O LE U D vedno predstavlja resen izziv (Jungić in Čorić 2013). V tem delu bomo analizirali koncentracije težkih T P EV kovin v različnih vrstah odpadkov, vključno s tistimi iz prehrambene, lesne, storitvene, gradbene in EO EL OP kovinske industrije. Globalno povečanje proizvodnje in predelave kovin vodi do njihove koncen-PL E 2 M tracije v okolju, kar predstavlja tveganje za zdravje ljudi. Odpadki pogosto onesnažijo podzemno EN 02 T 4 vodo, kar vpliva na kakovost vode, zraka in tal ter vodi do potencialnih zdravstvenih težav. Zato ljud-–2 je, nevedni svoje vloge v tem začaranem krogu, s svojimi dejanji neposredno vplivajo na kakovost 02 vode, zraka in tal, ki jih uporabljajo za svoje potrebe, pogosto nevedni posledic, ki lahko privedejo 5 do različnih bolezni (Sofilić 2015; Oladimeji et al. 2024). 2 NEVARNI ODPADKI IN NJIHOVO GOSPODARJENJE Nevarni odpadki, ki se večinoma generirajo v industrijskih procesih, so prisotni tudi v gospodinjstvih, kjer se uporabljajo vsakodnevno. Problem nevarnih odpadkov je tesno povezan s stopnjo ozavešče-nosti in informiranosti o njihovih tveganjih. Ti odpadki vključujejo snovi z nevarnimi lastnostmi, kot so toksičnost, kancerogenost in vnetljivost, ter so klasificirani v skladu s Katalogom odpadkov (Kiš in Kalambura 2018). Glavni proizvajalci nevarnih odpadkov so industrije, kot sta kovinska proizvodnja in kemična industrija, zlasti v proizvodnji gumijastih in plastičnih materialov. Ta sistem vključuje uporabo metod varnega odlaganja, vključno z reciklažnimi dvorišči, ki so opremljena za pravilno odlaganje nevarnih odpadkov, kot so baterije. Čeprav se nevarni odpadki pogosto štejejo za indu-strijske, pomemben delež prihaja iz gospodinjstev, kar se označuje kot „problematični odpadki“ (Stančić et al. 2015; Vrček 2011). Pri upravljanju teh odpadkov se poudarek daje načelom ponovne uporabe, zmanjševanja in recikliranja (3R), medtem ko odpadki, ki jih ni mogoče reciklirati, podle-gajo sežiganju ali odlaganju. Približno 75% nevarnih odpadkov so barve, laki in premazi, starejši iz-delki pa pogosto vsebujejo visoke koncentracije škodljivih snovi. Odstranjevanje takšnih premazov lahko povzroči znatne količine nevarnih odpadkov (Vicente in Reis 2008; Kalambura et al. 2018). Če nevarni odpadki končajo v kompostniku, lahko onesnažijo proces kompostiranja. Biološke, ke-mične in fizikalne metode obdelave nevarnih odpadkov, vključno z nevtralizacijo in dezinfekcijo, se uporabljajo za spreminjanje njihovih lastnosti. Termične metode, kot je sežiganje, zahtevajo visoke temperature in zagotavljajo sterilizacijo odpadkov, vendar se težke kovine, kot sta svinec in kadmij, koncentrirajo v pepelu in zahtevajo nadaljnjo obdelavo (Zsóka et al. 2013). Strupi iz nevarnih od-padkov se lahko kopičijo v organizmu in predstavljajo resno tveganje za zdravje (Srpak et al. 2024). Zato je nujno izvajati ustrezne ukrepe za ravnanje z nevarnimi odpadki, s posebnim poudarkom na prisotnosti težkih kovin, ki lahko povzročijo izrazito toksičnost, če se ne obdelajo ustrezno. 3 METODE V ANALIZI TEŽKIH KOVIN PRI RAVNANJU Z ODPADKI Težke kovine so skupina kovin, ki vključuje elemente, kot so svinec (Pb), kadmij (Cd), živo srebro (Hg), baker (Cu), cink (Zn), nikelj (Ni), krom (Cr) in druge. Te kovine so znane po visoki gostoti in teži ter ima-jo v določenih koncentracijah pogosto strupene lastnosti. Elektronski odpadki (e-odpadki) vsebujejo težke kovine, kot so svinec, živo srebro, kadmij in druge. Te kovine lahko najdemo v baterijah, kablih, 54 rabljajo v različnih proizvodnih procesih (odpadne vode, dimni plini in drugi industrijski stranski proi er --R RN evAT zvodi) (Srpak in Zeman 2017). Odpadki, ki nastanejo pri rudarskih dejavnostih, lahko vsebujejo težke ieIO litij, so vir težkih kovin v odpadkih. Industrijski odpadki pogosto vsebujejo težke kovine, ker se upo Pe IN -TE tiskanih vezjih in drugih elektronskih delih. Baterije, zlasti tiste, ki vsebujejo svinec, nikelj, kadmij in kovine, ki so naravno prisotne v kamninah (med izkoriščanjem rudnin lahko te kovine pridejo v oko- w N edA lje). Težke kovine imajo lahko resne negativne učinke na okolje in zdravje ljudi. Zato je pomembno L S PrCIE ustrezno ravnanje z odpadki in ukrepi za zmanjševanje izpustov težkih kovin v okolje, recikliranje o ceN materialov, ki jih vsebujejo ter izvajanje ustreznih postopkov odstranjevanja in čiščenja. Nacionalni edTIF in mednarodni predpisi pogosto predpisujejo standarde in smernice za ravnanje s težkimi kovinami ingIC C težkih kovin v telo ima lahko dvojni značaj, saj lahko delujejo kot strup in zdravilo hkrati. Glede na : S EN UCE I ST A nenehno rast proizvodnje in uporabe kovin se povečuje tudi koncentracija težkih kovin v tleh, vodi in INT'S A A zraku, ki vplivajo na rastline, živali in človeško telo. Pomanjkanje esencialnih težkih kovin (Zn, Cu, Mn, kovine, kot so baker, cink, železo in mangan, so nujne za pravilno delovanje človeškega telesa, druge, ok FER kot so svinec, kadmij, živo srebro, arzen, kositer, paladij, platina in kobalt, pa so za telo strupene. Vnos v odpadkih, da se zmanjša njihov vpliv na okolje (Zsóka et al. 2013; Vukšić in Šperanda 2016). Težke s Bo ON Fe, Se) lahko povzroči resne motnje v telesu, medtem ko so neesencialne težke kovine (Pb, Cd, As, Hg) B BO LEU DT P EV prisotne v zemeljski biosferi in krožijo v naravi. različne oblike (Tabela 1).EO EL OPPLE 2 Tabela 1: Koncentracije težkih kovin v različnih vrstah odpadkov iz leta 2018 M EN02 T4 ZNAK Pb Cd Ni Cr V Hg IZVOR OTPADKOV–2 VZORCA (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (mg/kg)025 Prehranska 0/3/18 4.67 0 3.62 0.21 1.3 0.005 tehnologija Lesna industrija 0/4/18 3.77 0 3.66 14.76 2.67 0.017 Storitvena 0/6/18 28.8 0 2.94 0.91 0 0.006 dejavnost (avto 0/29/18 20.22 0 6.14 4.46 0 0.009 salon, servis) 0/7/18 117,755.69 16.53 95.75 290.76 170.18 0.037 Gradbena ind. 0/8/18 94,435.91 1.04 79.15 586.87 154.97 0.022 0/9/18 648.38 0 391.87 237.31 645.63 0.107 0/19/18 28.24 13.14 8.48 7.45 1.21 0.047 Kovinska ind. 0/20/18 24.27 0 2.53 0.56 0 0.004 0/72/18 72.13 0 77.73 205.27 0 0,013 Odlagališče 0/70/18 28.78 1.8 6.79 18.64 3.39 0.02 (Vir: Analiza koncentracije težkih kovin v različnih vrstah odpadkov za leto 2018, 2018.) Nenehna rast proizvodnje kovin vodi do povečanja njihovih koncentracij v tleh, vodi in zraku, kar lahko negativno vpliva na rastline, živali in ljudi. Pomembno je razumeti razliko med esencialnimi in nees-encialnimi težkimi kovinami, saj lahko pomanjkanje esencialnih kovin povzroči resne zdravstvene težave, medtem ko neesencialne kovine predstavljajo tveganje za zdravje in okolje (Tabela 2). Tabela 2: Težke kovine in njihov vpliv na zdravje Težka kovina US EPA EU- mg/l SZO mg/l Kronični in akutni učinki na zdravje mg/l Bakar (Cu) 0,3-3 2 1 Draženje grla, ust, nosu in oči; glavobol, poškodbe ledvic, smrt Cink (Zn) 0,1-5 1 5 Poškodbe imunskega sistema, bolečine v trebuhu Kadmij (Cd) 0,005 0,003 0,005 Driska, bruhanje, izguba teže, smrt Olovo (Pb) Anemija, neplodnost, izguba apetita, poškodbe ledvic in 0,05 0,01 0,015 živčnega sistema Živa (Hg) 0,001 0,001 0,002 Poškodbe pljuč, ledvic, draženje nosu in oči, vpliv na razvoj ploda Nikal (Ni) 0,2 1 0,07 Vpliv na jetra, imunski in živčni sistem Arsen (As) 0,01 0,01 0,05 Vpliv na prebavni in živčni sistem, spremembe na koži in nohtih (Vir: Analiza koncentracije težkih kovin v različnih vrstah odpadkov za leto 2018, 2018.) 55 Pe 4 REZULTATI IN RAZPRAVA IN TE er Analiza koncentracij težkih kovin v odpadkih iz različnih industrij razkriva pomembne razlike, ki so re-R R-N ev AT zultat specifičnih proizvodnih procesov in materialov, uporabljenih v teh sektorjih (Briffa et al. 2020). ie IO w V prehrambeni tehnologiji je bilo zaznanih 4,67 mg/kg svinca in 3,62 mg/kg niklja. Povečana koncen-N ed A L S tracija svinca v prehrambenih odpadkih je lahko povezana z uporabo svinčenih goriv, ki prispevajo k Pr širjenju svinca v okolju. Svinac je znan kot eden najbolj razširjenih težkih kovin, njegova prisotnost v o CIE ce N odpadkih pa predstavlja tveganje za zdravje ljudi, saj se lahko akumulira v biokemijskih procesih. V ed TIF lesni industriji koncentracija kroma znaša 14,76 mg/kg, kar kaže na uporabo kromiranih materialov v ing IC C proizvodnji lesenih izdelkov. V storitvenih dejavnostih, zlasti v avtoservisih, je bila odkrita najvišja kon-s Bo O N centracija svinca 28,8 mg/kg. To je lahko posledica uporabe svinčenih materialov v akumulatorjih ter v ok FE R : S različnih orodjih in opremi. Nikelj, ki se uporablja zaradi svojih polirnih lastnosti, je prav tako prisoten EN U CE I v teh sektorjih, njegova koncentracija pa lahko nakazuje na vse večjo uporabo v industriji. V gradbeni ST A industriji je pričakovana prisotnost svinca rezultat zgodovinske uporabe svinčenih cevi in svinčenih IN T'S A A B B spojin v barvah in glazurah. Čeprav se svinčene cevi danes redko uporabljajo, se svinec še vedno lahko O LE U D nahaja v starejših gradbenih materialih, kar predstavlja potencialni vir kontaminacije med obnovami T P EV ali demontažami. V kovinski industriji obdelava kovin povzroči sproščanje delcev težkih kovin, vključ-EO EL OP no z nikljem, kromom in svincem. Povišane koncentracije teh kovin v odpadkih so lahko povezane s PL E 2 M postopki rezanja, brušenja in drobljenja, ki sproščajo toksične delce v okolje. To poudarja potrebo po EN 02 T 4 strogih regulacijah in nadzoru odpadkov iz teh industrij, da bi zmanjšali tveganje kontaminacije tal in –2 podzemnih voda (Olaniran 2023). Poleg prisotnosti svinca, niklja in kadmija je pomembno omeniti 02 tudi pojav vanadija v koncentraciji 3,39 mg/kg v vzorcih z odlagališč. Vanadij se pogosto nahaja v nara-5 vi v bližini drugih kovin, kot sta svinec in železo, in lahko škoduje zdravju ljudi. Neustrezno razvrščanje in odlaganje odpadkov, zlasti gradbenih in kovinskih, dodatno povečujeta tveganje prodiranja težkih kovin v tla, kar lahko povzroči kontaminacijo okolja in negativne učinke na zdravje ljudi. Zaključno, nepravilno odlaganje in neustrezno upravljanje odpadkov, zlasti v industrijskih sektorjih, predstavlja resen izziv za varstvo okolja. Glede na vse večje koncentracije težkih kovin v odpadkih je nujno razviti strategije za zmanjšanje njihove proizvodnje in zagotoviti učinkovit sistem ravnanja z odpadki, vključ-no z recikliranjem in predelavo materialov (Zhang et al. 2021). Prav tako je ključnega pomena izobra-ževanje javnosti o pravilnem odlaganju odpadkov in nevarnostih, povezanih s težkimi kovinami, da bi zmanjšali tveganja za zdravje in okolje. 5 ZAKLJUČEK Analiza koncentracij težkih kovin v odpadkih iz različnih industrij omogoča identifikacijo virov in distribucijo teh kovin, kar je ključno za ravnanje z odpadki in varstvo okolja. Glede na toksičnost kovin, kot so svinec, kadmij in živo srebro, je nujno nenehno ozaveščati delavce o tveganjih, pove-zanih z materiali, ki jih obdelujejo. Za globinsko razumevanje obnašanja težkih kovin v okolju je pomembno preučiti njihove kemijske lastnosti, vključno z bioakumulacijo. Odpadki iz gradbene, kovinske in lesne industrije vsebujejo visoke koncentracije kovin, kot so Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni in V, kar predstavlja resno grožnjo tlem, če niso ustrezno zaščitena. Ta situacija zahteva preventivne ukre-pe in izobraževanje javnosti o resnosti problema. Avtorji v delu poudarjajo, da je zelo pomembno ozaveščanje o nevarnostih težkih kovin, pa tudi izobraževanje o pravilnem odlaganju odpad-kov iz industrij z visokimi koncentracijami kovin, kar je ključno za preprečevanje onesnaženja. V kontekstu trajnostnega delovanja se poudarja recikliranje in ponovna uporaba virov. Integracija ekološkega kmetijstva, ki izključuje uporabo mineralnih gnojil, herbicidov in pesticidov, dodatno prispeva k zaščiti tal, vode in hrane pred onesnaženjem s težkimi kovinami. Ta pristop omogoča ohranjanje zdravja ljudi in okolja, zmanjšuje tveganje za kopičenje težkih kovin v organizmih in morebitne zdravstvene težave. Poleg tega je nujno razviti celovite strategije za ravnanje z od-padki, ki vključujejo inovativne metode recikliranja, učinkovite sisteme predelave in stroge regu-lative za nadzor nad odlaganjem odpadkov. Javnost mora biti nenehno izobraževana o pomenu zmanjševanja odpadkov, pravilnega ločevanja in potencialnih nevarnostih nepravilnega odlaga-nja. Le s celovitim pristopom, ki združuje znanstveno razumevanje, tehnološke inovacije in izo-braževanje, bomo lahko učinkovito zmanjšali negativne vplive težkih kovin na okolje in zdravje ter zagotovili trajnostno prihodnost za naslednje generacije. 56 LITERATURA Pe INTE 1. Briški, Felicita. 2016. Zaštita okoliša. Zagreb: Fakultet kemijskog inženjerstva i tehnologije Sveu - er -RRN čilišta u Zagrebu i Element. evAT ieIO 2. Briffa, Jessica, Emmanuel Sinagra in Renald Blundell. 2020. Heavy metal pollution in the envi - wN edA ronment and their toxicological effects and removal methods. Heliyon 6(9), e04691. https://doi.L S Pr org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04691. oCIE ceN 3. Harada, Masazumi. 1995. Minamata disease: Methylmercury poisoning in Japan cau- edTIF sed by environmental pollution. Critical Reviews in Toxicology 25(1): 1–24. https://doi. ingIC C 5. Jungić, Dragan in Robert Čorić. 2013. Teški metali u antropogenom tlu i procjednoj vodi u voćn : S EN UCE I - ST A INT'S A jaku jabuka na području Donjeg Međimurja. Agronomski glasnik: Glasilo Hrvatskog agronomskog A BB društva 75(4): 201–210. 4. Jakop, Erika. 2018. Analiza koncentracije teških metala u različitim vrstama otpada za 2018. godinu. ok FER Čakovec: Međimursko veleučilište u Čakovcu. org/10.3109/10408449509089885. s Bo ON 6. Kalambura, Sanja, Domagoj Kiš in Siniša Guberac. 2018. LE OU D Gospodarenje otpadom II. Osijek: Poljop-T P EV rivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera.EO EL OPPL 7. Kiš, Domagoj in Sanja Kalambura. 2018. Gospodarenje otpadom I. Osijek: Poljoprivredni fakultet E 2 M u Osijeku, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera. EN02 T4 8. Oladimeji, T. E., Ali, H. M., Abbas, Q., & Raza, A. 2024. Review on heavy metals from industri-–202 al activities and their removal from wastewater. Heliyon 10(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.he-5 liyon.2020.e04691. 9. Olaniran, Olusegun O. 2023. Analysis of heavy metals and toxicity level in the tannery effluent and the environs. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(8), https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10661-023-11154-4. 10. Sofilić, Tahir. 2015. Zdravlje i okoliš. Sisak: Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Metalurški fakultet. 11. Srpak, Melita. 2017. Ekološka održivost. Čakovec: Međimursko veleučilište u Čakovcu. https:// www.mev.hr/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Ekoloska-odrzivost.pdf. 12. Srpak, Melita in Silvija Zeman. 2017. Zbrinjavanje azbestnog otpada. Zbornik radova Međimur- skog veleučilišta u Čakovcu 8(2): 95–106. 13. Srpak, Melita, Silvija Zeman, Vladimir Križaić in Darko Pavlović. 2024. Spatial-planning aspect of waste management in Varaždin County. V Eighth International Scientific Conference June 5th – World Environment Day: The Book of Abstracts, 104–105. Bihać: University of Bihać, Biotechnical Faculty. 14. Stančić, Zrinka, Davor Vujević, Damir Dogančić, Saša Zavrtnik, Ivica Dobrotić, Zlatko Bajsić, Ivana Dukši in Dragutin Vincek. 2015. Sposobnost akumulacije teških metala kod različitih samoniklih biljnih vrsta. Environmental Engineering – Inženjerstvo okoliša 2(1): 7–18. 15. Vicente, Paula in Elizabeth Reis. 2008. Factors influencing households’ participation in recycling. Waste Management & Research 26(2): 140–146. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X07076477. 16. Vrček, Valerije. 2011. Druga strana potrošačkog raja: U klopci između bolesti i zdravlja. Zagreb: Školska knjiga. 17. Vukšić, Neška, in Marcela Šperanda. 2016. Raspodjela teških metala (Cd, Pb, Hg, As) i esencijalnih elemenata (Fe, Se) u šumskom tlu i biljnim zajednicama državnog otvorenog lovišta Krndija II XIV/23. Šumarski list 140(3–4): 147–153. https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.140.3-4.5. 18. Zhang, Xu, Huanhuan Yang, Ruirui Sun, Meihua Cui, Ning Sun in Shouwen Zhang. 2021. Evaluati- on and analysis of heavy metals in iron and steel industrial area. Environment, Development and Sustainability 23(5): 2997–3010. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01893-0. 19. Zsóka, Ágnes, Zsófia M. Szerényi, Anna Széchy in Tamás Kocsis. 2013. Greening due to envi- ronmental education? Environmental knowledge, attitudes, consumer behavior and everyday pro-environmental activities of Hungarian high school and university students. Journal of Cleaner Production 48: 126–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.09.029. 57 2025 DIGITALIZATION AND SUSTAINABILITY w N edAL S Pr o AWARENESS IN MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES CIE ceN edTIF IN CROATIA: BUILDING RESILIENCE WITHOUT ingIC C MANDATORY REPORTING s BoON okFER : SEN U Published scientific conference contribution Pe INTE 1.08 Objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci er-R RN evAT ieIO Renata Čupić, CE I PhD Candidate ST A Faculty of Applied Social Studies, Slovenia INT'S A A BB Josipa Pleša, PhD CandidateO LEU DT P Faculty of Applied Social Studies, Slovenia EVEO EL OPPLE 2 M ABSTRACT EN02 T4 Despite the growing global demand for sustainable practices, this research explores how mi-–202 cro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Croatia approach sustainability, despite the lack of manda-5 tory reporting requirements. As communities face environmental and demographic challenges, understanding how MSEs integrate sustainability practices is crucial for fostering resilience and supporting their development. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quanti-tative surveys and qualitative interviews, to assess the barriers and opportunities MSEs face in implementing sustainable practices. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and support organizations seeking to encourage sustainability in the small and medium business sector, illustrating how this facilitates transparency and operational resilience. Ultimately, this research contributes to a broader understanding of sustainable development by demonstrating how voluntary reporting can enable MSEs to play a more active role in building more resilient communities and environmental responsibility. Keywords: Sustainability Reporting, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Digitalization, Resil-ience, Sustainable Development 61 Pe 1 INTRODUCTION IN TE er-R R N 1.1 Context of the Republic of Croatia: The Importance of Including Micro and Small Enterprises in ev AT ie Sustainable Practices IO w N ed A L S Micro and small enterprises are the backbone of the Croatian economy, accounting for 88.3% Pr CIE o (137,950) of micro and 10.1% (15,748) of small enterprises out of a total of 156,145 entrepreneurs, ce N ed according to data from 2023. Their inclusion in sustainable practices is crucial for achieving sustain-TIF ing IC C able development goals at both the national and European levels. ok FE Brundtland Report (The Federal Council 1987) and involve business strategies that integrate eco-R : S s Bo ON Sustainable practices are based on the principles of sustainable development outlined in the IN T'S A competitiveness, and facilitates access to financial resources, while also creating favourable condi-A B B O tions for attracting investors. LE U D T P The importance of adopting sustainable practices in the context of the Republic of Croatia stems ST CE I enterprises not only reduces their ecological footprint but also fosters innovation, enhances market A U EN nomic, ecological, and social aspects of business. Implementing these principles in micro and small EV EO EL from the need to align with European standards, including the adoption of the Corporate Sustaina-OP PL E 2 bility Reporting Directive – CSRD (Official Journal of the European Union , L 322/15, 2022) and other M EN 02 EU policies that promote transparency and responsible business practices. Reports are prescribed T 4 by the European Sustainability Reporting Standards - ESRS (European Commission 2023a), under –2 02 the leadership of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group – EFRAG (European Financial Re-5 porting Advisory Group ESRS Q&A Platform 2024) given the share of micro and small enterprises in the economy, their inclusion in sustainable practices is crucial for achieving the national sustainable development goals and economic resilience of the Republic of Croatia. Figure 1: European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) (Source: Ernst & Young Global Limited 2025) EFRAG’s mission is to serve the European public interest in both financial and sustainability reporting by developing and promoting European views on corporate reporting. EFRAG provides technical advice to the European Commission in the form of draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), de-veloped in accordance with strict directives, and supports the effective implementation of ESRS. 62 1.2 Relevance for EU Policies and Link to the International Context (European Commission 2024) has placed sustainability at the heart of its development policies, de- RNAT ev fining sustainability as a key prerequisite for economic growth, social responsibility, and ecological ieIO w The European Union, through documents such as the European Green Deal and Digital Decade 2030 TE er -R Pe IN balance in the single European market. ed NAL S Pr The European Green Deal aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, while the Digital Decade2030 oCIE ceN encourages digital transformation to strengthen business resilience. Croatia has fully aligned its edTIF strategies through the Croatian Digital Strategy for the period up to 2032 (National Newspaper, ingIC C 123/27, 2024) and the National Development Strategy until 2030. At the global level, sustainability s Bo ON is a key factor for competitiveness, as confirmed by initiatives such as the Paris Climate Agreement okFER and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These standards define guidelines : SEN U for ecological responsibility and reducing the negative impact of business operations on the envi-CE I ST A ronment. The European Union, through the CSRD directive, the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities INT'S A A and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation – SFRD (European Commission, Questions and BBO LE Answers 2023b), implements these global goals at the European market level.U DT P EVEO 1.3 Challenges in Implementing Sustainable Practices (With and Without Mandatory Reporting) EL OPPLE 2 M Despite the benefits of sustainable business practices, micro and small enterprises in Croatia face EN02 T4 numerous challenges in implementing sustainable practices, including limited material and intan-–2 gible resources, lack of technical knowledge, and the perception of high initial costs. These chal-02 lenges are categorized into three main areas. The first are financial and technical challenges. Micro 5 and small enterprises often have limited financial resources to invest in sustainable technologies and are frequently lacking financial resources altogether. Additionally, the lack of technical knowl-edge and expertise complicates the application of sustainable business models. According to re-source dependence theory (Pfeffer & Salancik 1978a), it is stated that organizations depend on the availability of key resources, and the lack of these resources can limit their ability to adapt to reg-ulatory requirements. The second area involves administrative burdens and regulatory challenges. According to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) the reporting obligations have been extended to medium-sized enterprises (up to 250 employees, up to 43 million euros in assets, and up to 50 million euros in revenue), while micro and small enterprises are currently exempt from mandatory reporting, it is anticipated that in the future, this will apply to all actively operating legal entities. The third area involves the lack of awareness and education, including insufficient infor-mation available to micro and small enterprises about the long-term benefits of sustainability, such as reducing operational costs, increasing market competitiveness, and accessing various funds. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory specifically addresses this issue (Rogers 1962) explains how the lack of information, including the aforementioned lack of awareness and education, can slow down the adoption of new business practices. 1.4 Research Objectives and Main Research Questions The aim of this research is to analyse the impact of implementing sustainable practices on the resil-ience and competitiveness of micro and small enterprises in Croatia, with an emphasis on the role of digitalization as a tool for promoting sustainable business. The main research questions include: 1. How does the implementation of sustainable practices impact the resilience and competitive-ness of micro and small enterprises? According to the Dynamic Capabilities Theory (Teece, Pisano & Shuen 1997), enterprises that imple-ment sustainable practices develop greater long-term resilience to market changes and regulatory requirements, strengthening their competitiveness. 2. What are the key challenges and incentives for micro and small enterprises in adopting sustain-able practices? According to the Resource Dependence Theory (Pfeffer & Salancik 1978a) and the Institutional Barriers Theory (DiMaggio & Powell 1983), certain limitations, such as a lack of financial resourc- 63 er-R RN 3. How can digitalization enhance the implementation of sustainable practices? ev AT ie IO Pe IN sustainable practices. TE es, knowledge, or administrative barriers, affect the ability of micro and small enterprises to adopt ed NA parency and simplify reporting on sustainable practices, consequently making it easier to imple-L S w The Diffusion of Innovations Theory (Rogers 1962) emphasizes how digital tools can increase trans- Pr ment sustainability in enterprises of all sizes. CIE ceo ed N The introduction of sustainable practices in micro and small enterprises in Croatia is of strategic impor- TIF ing tance for the country’s economic development and a necessary prerequisite for aligning with Europe- IC C s Bo O an sustainability policies. Despite numerous challenges, efforts to include micro and small enterprises N in the implementation of sustainable practices are stronger than ever, driven by numerous incentives. ok FE R : S EN U CE I ST A 2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW IN T'S A A B B O 2.1 Sustainable Business and Its Application in Micro and Small Enterprises LE U D T P EV Sustainable business is defined as a business model that integrates economic, ecological, and so-EO EL OP cial aspects of business to achieve long-term stability and resilience. This concept is based on the PL E 2 M Brundtland Report (The federal Council, The Brundtland Report 1987) in the context of micro and EN 02 T 4 small enterprises, it manifests through resource optimization, waste reduction, increased energy –2 efficiency, and the use of local suppliers and sustainable materials. 02 5 The theoretical framework of sustainable business is further developed through the Triple Bottom Line theory (Elkington 1997), which emphasizes the importance of alignment across three dimen-sions: economic success, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. According to this model, business success is not measured solely by financial results but also by its impact on the community and the environment. Elkington’s theory provides a strong foundation for the analysis of sustainable business, particularly highlighting micro and small enterprises, which require more flexible business models and patterns. The application of sustainable models can help micro and small enterprises build resilience against market changes, including numerous regulatory requirements, as confirmed by empirical research. Specifically, according to the research by Schaltegger and Wagner, (2011) such enterprises experi-ence increased operational efficiency, cost reduction, and an improvement in reputation and trust among key stakeholders. Theoretical Framework of Resource Dependence (Pfeffer & Salancik 1978b) explains how the lack of resources (both material and intangible) can limit the ability of micro and small enterprises to adopt sustainable business models. At the same time, the Diffusion of Innovations theory suggests that (Rogers 1962) highlights that these enterprises adopt sustainable practices more slowly be-cause they have limited access to information and expertise. Despite the challenges, it is assumed that sustainable business offers significant advantages for mi-cro and small enterprises: resource optimization and increased energy efficiency reduce operational costs, while socially responsible business practices are perceived as a competitive advantage in the market. This is particularly emphasized through the regulatory requirements of the European Union and the aforementioned Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The necessity of digi-talization as a prerequisite for the integration of sustainable practices is highlighted in the Technol-ogy Diffusion Theory (Rogers 1962) which emphasizes how digital tools enable easier monitoring of sustainability indicators, such as energy consumption or waste management. 2.2 The Role of Sustainability in Strengthening the Resilience and Competitiveness of Enterprises The implementation of sustainable practices plays a key role in strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of enterprises, allowing micro and small businesses to better manage risks, adapt timely to changing market conditions, and achieve long-term reduction in operational costs. The theoretical framework for this assertion is provided by the Dynamic Capabilities Theory (Teece, Pisa-no & Shuen 1997) which highlights the importance of a company’s ability to adapt to changes in the environment through innovation, learning, and strategic adjustment. 64 not only reduce negative environmental impacts but also create additional economic value through w N edA innovation, increased productivity, and attracting ethically-oriented consumers and investors.L S PrCIE o Strengthening resilience and competitiveness through sustainable practices for micro and small en- ceN ed terprises offers additional benefits, including access to financial resources and available EU funds: TIF ingIC C The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small s BoO and Medium-sized Enterprises Program (COSME). For enterprises oriented towards internationaliza-N okFE tion, aligning with sustainable standards enhances access to international markets, as sustainability R : SEN has become one of the key criteria in supply chains. competitiveness in the markets where the company operates, as highlighted in the Creating Shared er-R RN evAT Value theory (Porter & Kramer 2011), stating that enterprises that implement sustainable practices ieIO reflected in increased financial stability, reputational advantages, and cost reduction. It also enables Pe INTE Resilience refers to a company’s ability to cope with crises and unpredictable situations, and it is STU CE I Sustainability regulation in the Republic of Croatia and the European Union has undergone signifi B BO - LEU DT P cant changes in the past decade, with an emphasis on increasing transparency, accountability, and EVEO 2.3 Overview of Current and Future Sustainability Regulations in Croatia and the EU AINA T'S A environmental sustainability in the real sector. ELOP PLE 2 M At the national level, Croatia has adopted several key strategic documents that provide guidance for EN02 sustainable business practices and digitalization. Notably, the National Development Strategy until T4–2 2030 (National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030, 2022) establishes sus-02 tainable development as a fundamental priority of national policies, with a focus on environmental 5 responsibility, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the digital transformation of business. In parallel, the Digital Croatia Strategy until 2032 (Official Journal of the European Union, L 322/15, 2022) aims to accelerate the digitalization of businesses, including micro and small enterprises, with the goal of facilitating the implementation of sustainable practices through the use of digital tools for monitoring and reporting sustainability. With this approach, the Republic of Croatia has created an institutional framework for sustainable economic growth. At the European Union level, the most important regulatory framework in the field of sustainability is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive – CSRD) adopted in 2021, and which came into effect in the Republic of Croatia on January 1, 2024. The goal of this directive is to increase business transparency concerning environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, which enables companies to better manage risks and adapt to environ-mental standards. Additionally, the directive extends the obligation of non-financial reporting to all large and medium-sized enterprises, and, as we suggest in the paper, it is expected to eventually include micro and small enterprises. Alongside the CSRD directive, key EU regulations include the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activi-ties which is a classification system for economic activities aligned with sustainability goals, and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFRD), which defines disclosures to end investors regarding sustainability risk, harmful impacts on sustainability, sustainable investment goals, or the promotion of environmental, social, and governance characteristics in investment decision-making and advisory processes. The EU Taxonomy defines which activities are considered environmentally sustainable, helping investors and businesses make informed decisions regarding investments in sustainable projects. This further supports the implementation of the European Green Deal, through which the European Union has set a climate neutrality goal by 2050. This plan includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, preserving biodiversity, and promoting a sustainable economy and circular models of production and consumption. In the future, it is expected that new regulatory requirements will continue to be introduced in line with the goals of the European Green Deal and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Stricter reporting and compliance standards are anticipated, with an emphasis on the introduction of digital tools for automatic sustainability monitoring. 65 er-R RN evAT Digitalization plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices and increasing business transpar-ie IO Pe IN small enterprises TE 2.4 The role of digitalization in promoting sustainable practices and transparency in micro and w ency in micro and small enterprises, enabling more efficient resource management, reducing ecologi- N ed A cal footprints, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. According to the theory of tech- L S Pr nological diffusion (Rogers 1962) the adoption of new technologies depends on perceived benefits o CIE ce N and the complexity of their application, which, in the context of sustainable practices, includes access ed TIF to tools that allow monitoring ecological indicators and improving business processes. ing IC C s Bo O Digital tools enable more precise tracking of sustainability indicators such as energy consumption, N greenhouse gas emissions, and waste management. This practice aligns with the Corporate Sustain-ok FE R : S ability Reporting Directive (CSRD) which emphasizes the need for transparent reporting on environ-EN U CE I mental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in business operations. ST A IN T'S A On the other hand, digitalization enhances transparency both internally and externally with stake-A B B O holders. By implementing digital sustainability reporting systems, businesses can document sus-LE U D T P tainable practices, increasing investor and customer trust. This aspect is theoretically based on le-EV EO gitimacy theory (Suchman 1995), which posits that organizations that transparently report their EL OP PL operations are more likely to gain market and regulatory trust. E 2 M EN 02 Furthermore, digitalization supports education and ensures businesses are informed about sustain-T 4 able practices. Thus, the challenges posed by digitalization potentially become opportunities, of-–2 02 fering micro and small enterprises the possibility of acquiring the necessary knowledge to comply 5 with existing national and European regulatory frameworks through various online educational platforms, digital guides, and virtual consultants. 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Objective and Research Design The aim of the research is to analyse the attitudes and practices of micro and small enterprises in the Republic of Croatia regarding sustainable practices, identify key challenges and obstacles in implementing sustainable solutions, and explore the potential role of digitalization in enhancing sustainability. The results will serve as a foundation for recommendations on the development of policies and incentive measures to support sustainability in micro and small enterprises without a legal obligation to report on sustainability. The research was conducted through a survey questionnaire (Appendix 1) targeted at micro and small enterprises. The survey included a combination of closed and open-ended questions to quan-titatively and qualitatively analyse respondents’ attitudes toward sustainability, digitalization, and regulatory aspects, within the time period from January 10, 2025, to January 31, 2025. The collect-ed data were processed using descriptive statistical methods to identify key trends and patterns in the responses. The questionnaire covered demographic data about the enterprises, their level of awareness regarding sustainability, the implementation of sustainable practices, and their percep-tion of the impact on business resilience. Data from 70 enterprises were analysed. 4 RESULTS 4.1 General Characteristics of the Surveyed Enterprises The majority of the surveyed enterprises belong to the category of micro enterprises (64.3%) with fewer than 10 employees and operate in the services sector (58.6%) and retail sector (17.1%). Most of the enterprises have been in operation for over 10 years (37.1%), indicating business stability despite market challenges. 66 Figure 2: Graphical Representation of the Structure of Enterprises by number of employees er TE -R Pe IN ie IO wN edAL S PrCIE ev RNAT ceo ed TIFN ing IC C ok FER : S s Bo ON (Source: Authors’ Compilation) IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN Of the surveyed enterprises, the majority are from the Slavonia and Baranja region (52.9%) and the EL EO OPPLE 2 Zagreb area (25.7%). Most of the enterprises have up to 10 employees (50% have one to five em - M EN02 ployees, 25.7% have six to ten employees). T4–202 4.2 Level of Awareness about Sustainability5 The results show that 74.3% of respondents are familiar with the concept of sustainability, but their perception of the importance of sustainable practices varies. Only 45.7% of respondents believe sustainability is very important for business operations, while 11.4% believe sustainability is not important at all for business operations. As key aspects of business sustainability, the following are cited: reducing business costs through energy-efficient processes (61.4%), ecological responsibility and waste reduction (52.9%), and social responsibility (54.3%). The research results show that 50% of the surveyed enterprises already implement certain sus-tainable practices, while the rest do not (25.7% of enterprises do not apply sustainability in their operations, 14.3% plan to introduce sustainable measures within one year, and 10% are considering implementation in the next three years). These data suggest that a significant proportion of micro and small enterprises are already engaging in sustainable activities, while the rest either plan to make changes in the future or do not see an immediate need to do so. Among the enterprises that confirmed they are implementing sustainable practices, the most com-mon measures include waste recycling (60%), sourcing from local suppliers (50%), and optimizing resource consumption (48%). The use of renewable energy sources is present in 26% of enterprises, indicating relatively low interest in this type of investment. Figure 3: Sustainable Practices Implemented by Enterprises (Source: Authors’ Compilation) 67 w N Others highlight that sustainability is an additional administrative burden that does not bring direct ed A L S Pr business benefits. CIE o The majority of enterprises, 68%, do not use digital tools to implement or monitor sustainable prac-ce N ed TIF tices, while 32.9% have implemented digital tools in their businesses. Among the respondents who ing IC C implement digital tools, 75.8% do so by increasing efficiency through digital processes (e.g., elec-s Bo O N tronic documents instead of paper), 36.4% by optimizing existing resources (energy or material con-ok FE R sumption), 33.3% through digital monitoring of production processes (and waste reduction), and : S EN U er-R R ticisms towards sustainability is also prevalent – some respondents believe that sustainability in N ev AT business often boils down to “greenwashing,” a marketing strategy with no real ecological impact. ie IO Pe IN 30% cite the main reason as a lack of information and education on sustainable practices. Scep-TE Among the surveyed enterprises that do not implement sustainability in their operations (50%), IN T'S A Figure 4: The Contribution of Digital Technologies in the Enterprise A B B O LE STA CE I 42.4% by improving communication with customers and partners. OP PLE 2 M EN02 T4–202 EV EO EL D UT P 5 (Source: Authors’ Compilation) Digitalization is recognized as a useful tool for sustainability, but many respondents still do not use digital tools, with 80% citing the cost of implementation and a lack of knowledge about available tools as the main barriers to digitalization. 4.3 Sustainability Reporting A part of the respondents believes that mandatory sustainability reporting would help micro and small enterprises in structuring sustainable practices – 54.3% of them, and the most useful form of support in implementing sustainable practices includes financial support (71.4%), education on sustainable practices (42.9%), technical support through digital tools and resources (41.4%), and regulatory guidelines and manuals (25.7%). Figure 5: Support in Implementing Sustainable Practices (Source: Authors’ Compilation) 68 5 CONCLUSION Pe INTE The research has shown that micro and small enterprises in the Republic of Croatia recognize the er -RRN importance of sustainability and its positive impact on competitiveness and resilience, but they face evAT ieIO various challenges in implementing sustainable practices. wN edA Despite the recognized benefits, such as reducing operational costs and increasing market compet -L S PrCIE itiveness, there are key challenges that include financial costs, administrative burdens, and limited o ceN access to information and tools, which slow down their implementation. It is important to highlight edTIF that digitalization is seen as a potential solution for enhancing sustainable practices through trans- ingIC C Measures that could contribute to the development of sustainable practices in micro and small en- : S EN UCE I ST A INT'S A terprises that are not subject to reporting requirements include: A BB- Ensuring financial support, including easier access to sustainability funds (enabling the reduction is still not widespread, and enterprises have not fully utilized digital tools, primarily due to initial ok FER costs and a lack of knowledge. parency, resource optimization, and monitoring environmental indicators. However, its application s Bo ON - Education and access to information on sustainable business practices and digital tools that can of initial implementation costs) LE OU DT P EVEO EL OPPLE 2 be applied, implemented, and facilitate their execution, M EN - Simplification of administrative procedures and reduction of bureaucratic barriers to ease com -02 T4 pliance in case of regulatory requirements, –202- Encouraging the development of digital solutions tailored to micro and small enterprises, ena-5 bling more efficient monitoring and implementation of sustainable business models within their operations. The results of this research can serve as a foundation for future initiatives aimed at enhancing sus-tainability in micro and small enterprises and for shaping policies that will support their long-term competitiveness and sustainable practices. Additionally, the research offers guidance for policies that will enable their long-term development in line with European and global sustainability goals. 69 Pe REFERENCES IN TE er 1. Brundtland, Gro Harlem. 1987. Our common future. Oxford University Press.-R R N ev AT 2. Croatian Chamber of Commerce . 2022. Why sustainable business is more important than ever. Av-ie IO w ailable at: https://www.hgk.hr/komentar-hgk-zasto-je-odrzivo-poslovanje-danas-potrebnije-N ed A L S-no-ikada (March 8, 2025) Pr CIE o 3. DiMaggio, Paul Joseph and Walter Powell. 2015. The Iron Cage Revisited: Institutional Isomorp-ce N ed hism and Collective Rationality in Organizational Fields. Available at: https://www.academia. TIF ing IC C edu/41967521/The_Iron_Cage_Revisited_Institutional_isomorphism_and_Collective_Rationa- ok FE 4. Educational Technology. 2023. Diffusion of Innovations Theory. Available at: https://educational-R : S s Bo O lity_in_Organizational_fields (February 16, 2025) N IN T'S A Available at: https://www.efrag.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2024-07/Compilati-A B B O on%20Explanations%20January%20-%20July%202024.pdf (January 25, 2025) LE U D T P 6. Elkington, John. 1997. Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st-century business. Capsto-EV ST CE I 5. European Financial Reporting Advisory Group. 2024. Compilation of Explanations for 2024 ESRS. A U EN technology.net/diffusion-of-innovations-theory/ (February 5, 2025) EL EO ne Publishing. OP PL E 2 7. Elkington, John. 2004. Triple Bottom Line. Available at: https://johnelkington.com/archive/TBL-M EN 02-elkington-chapter.pdf (February 8, 2025) T 4 –2 8. EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities . 2021. EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities. Available at: 02 https://finance.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-finance/tools-and-standards/eu-taxonomy-susta-5 inable-activities_en (March 1, 2025) 9. EUR-Lex. 2022. Directive 2022/2464/EU - Corporate sustainability reporting. Available at: https:// eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/HR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022L2464 (February 8, 2025) 10. European Commission. 2021. Sustainable Finance and EU Taxonomy. Available at: https://eur-lex. europa.eu/legal-content/HR/TXT/HTML/?from=EN&uri=PI_COM%3AC%282021%294987 (Janua- ry 24, 2025) 11. European Commission. 2023a. European sustainability reporting standards. Available at: https:// finance.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-european-sustainability-reporting-stan- dards-2023-07-31_en (April 9, 2025) 12. European Commission. 2023b. EU Green Deal – Key Policies for Sustainability. Available at: https:// ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_4043 (January 25, 2025) 13. European Commission. 2024. The European Green Deal. Available at: https://commission.europa. eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_hr (January 24, 2025) 14. European Commission. 2025a. EU Green Deal and Sustainability. Available at: https://commission.eu- ropa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_hr (February 24, 2025) 15. European Commission. 2025b. Sustainable Development Goals. Available at: https://commission. europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/sustainable-development-goals_en?prefLang=hr (March 2, 2025) 16. European Commission. 2025c. Sustainable Finance and EU Taxonomy. Available at: https://finan- ce.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-finance/tools-and-standards/eu-taxonomy-sustainable-activiti- es_en (February 8, 2025) 17. European Commission. 2025d. Europe’s Digital Decade – Digital Targets 2030. Available at: https:// commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/euro- pes-digital-decade-digital-targets-2030_hr (January 23, 2025) 18. European Council. 2024. Paris Agreement on Climate. Available at: https://www.consilium.euro- pa.eu/hr/policies/paris-agreement-climate/ (February 10, 2025) 19. Ernst & Young Global Limited - EY. 2025. European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) in a nutshell. Available at: https://denkstatt.at/en/esrs-standards-explained/ (August 31, 2025) 20. Financijska agencija. 2023. Business performance of entrepreneurs in 2023, categorized by size. Available at: https://www.fina.hr/novosti/rezultati-poslovanja-poduzetnika-u-2023.-godini- -razvrstani-po-velicini (January 15, 2025) 21. Forvis Mazars. 2022. First draft of ESRS: Aligning financial and sustainability reporting. Available at: https:// www.forvismazars.com/hr/hr/nase-usluge/odrzivost-esg/prvi-set-nacrta-esrs-a (May 10, 2025) 70 24. IUS-INFO. 2024. Regulatory Foundations of Sustainability in the Financial Market. Available at: w N edAL S https://www.iusinfo.hr/aktualno/u-sredistu/regulatorni-temelji-odrzivosti-na-financijskom - PrCIE o-trzistu-pregled-postojece-regulative-s-naglaskom-na-sfdr-uredbu-58160 (January 28, 2025) ceN ed 25. Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia . 2024. n.d. The first European susta-TIF ingIC C inability reporting standards under consultation. Available at: https://mint.gov.hr/odrzivi-turi- s BoO zam-22984/na-savjetovanju-prvi-europski-standardi-izvjestavanja-o-odrzivosti/23519 (May N okFE 10, 2025)R : SEN 26. National Newspaper. 2023. Sustainable business law. Available at: https://narodne-novine. 23. Hillman, Amy. 2009. Resource Dependence Theory: A Review. Available at: https://www.acade- er-R RN evAT mia.edu/69365981/Resource_Dependence_Theory_A_Review (February 11, 2025) ieIO 22. FourWeekMBA. 2024. Rogers Diffusion of Innovations. Available at: https://fourweekmba.com/ rogers-diffusion-of-innovations/ (February 8, 2025) Pe INTE 28. Pfeffer, Jeffrey and Gerald R. Salancik 2030. Available at: https://hrvatska2030.hr/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Nacionalna-razvoj- AB BO LEU DT P na-strategija-RH-do-2030.-godine.pdf (February 2, 2025) EVEO EL 27. National Development Strategy of Croatia. 2021. National Development Strategy of Croatia until nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2023_01_2_17.html (January 23, 2025) AIN T'S A STU CE I 29. Pfeffer, Jeffrey and Gerald R. Salancik. 1978b. pendence perspective. Harper & Row. . 1978a. The external control of organizations: A resource de- OP PLE 2 M EN02 Resource Dependence Theory. Available at: http:// T4–2 kendlevidian.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/100099305/Pfeffer%20and%20Salancik%201978%2002 Notes.pdf (April 8, 2025)5 30. Porter, Michael and Mark Kramer. 2011. Creating shared value. Harvard Business Review 89(1–2): 62–77. 31. Rogers, Everett Mitchell. 2003. Diffusion of Innovations. Available at: https://archive.org/details/ diffusionofinnov00roge (March 15, 2025) 32. Schaltegger, Stefan, and Marcus Wagner. 2011. Sustainable entrepreneurship and sustainable bu- siness models: An overview of current research. Journal of Business Economics 55(1): 1–31. 33. Schrack Training Center. 2023. European standards for sustainability reporting. Available at: https://schracktrainingcenter.com/kb/europski-standardi-za-izvjestavanje-o-odrzivosti (Febru- ary 8, 2025) 34. Suchman, Mark. 1995. Managing legitimacy: Strategic and institutional approaches. Academy of Management Review 20(3): 571–610. 35. Teece, David, Gary Pisano and Amy Shuen. 1997. Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal 18(7): 509–533. 36. United Nations. 2024. Sustainable Development Goals. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals (February 8, 2025) 37. Uplift – platforma za rast i razvoj malih poduzetnika. 2022. It’s not just for the big: How small businesses can contribute to achieving global sustainability goals. Available at: https://uplift.hr/ nije-samo-za-velike-kako-mala-poduzeca-mogu-dati-doprinos-ostvarenju-globalnih-ciljeva- -odrzivosti (January 8, 2025) 38. Uzor Hrvatske. 2022. European standards for sustainability reporting. Available at: https://www. uzorhrvatske.hr/info/priopcenja/350-europski-standardi-za-izvjestavanje-o-odrzivosti (Febru- ary 10, 2025) 39. World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987. Sustainable development. Available at: https://www.are.admin.ch/are/en/home/media/publications/sustainable-development/ brundtland-report.html (February 18, 2025) 71 Pe APPENDIX 1 IN TE er-R R Basic Information About the Organization N ev AT 1. Size of Your Enterprise ie IO w N a) Micro ed A L S Pr b) Small CIE o 2. In which region of Croatia does your enterprise operate? ce N ed TIF a) Central Croatia ing IC C b) Istria and Primorje s Bo O N c) Slavonia ok FE R : S d) Dalmatia EN U CE I ST e) Zagreb and surroundings A IN T'S A 3. How long has your enterprise been operating? A B B O a) Less than 5 years LE U D T P b) 5-10 years EV EO EL c) 11-20 years OP PL E 2 M d) More than 20 years EN 02 T 4 4. How many employees does your enterprise currently have? –2 a) 1-5 employees 02 5 b) 6-10 employees c) 11-20 employees d) More than 20 employees 5. Main activity of your enterprise a) Production b) Service c) Trade d) Other (please specify): Business Sustainability 6. Are you familiar with the concept of sustainable business? a) Yes b) No 7. Do you consider sustainability important for your enterprise’s business? a) Not important b) Somewhat important c) Very important 8. Which aspects of sustainability do you consider most important for your enterprise? (You can select multiple answers) a) Reducing business costs through more energy-efficient processes b) Environmental responsibility and waste reduction c) Social responsibility (towards the community, employees) d) Better company image e) Adapting to regulatory changes f) Other (please specify): 9. Do you currently implement any sustainable practices in your enterprise? a) Yes b) No c) Plan to implement in the next year d) Plan to implement in the next 3 years e) Plan to implement in the next 5 years 72 d) Sourcing from local suppliers (supporting the community) ie IO wN edAL S Pr e) Other (please specify): oCIE ceN Enterprise Resilience edTIF 11. Do you believe that sustainable practices can increase your enterprise’s resilience to the chal- ingIC C lenges it faces today? s BoON a) No b) Optimizing resource consumption (water, energy) er TE -RRN evAT c) Using renewable energy sources (e.g., solar panels) a) Recycling waste Pe IN 10. If yes, which sustainable practices do you implement? (You can select multiple answers) b) Partially ok FER : SEN UCE I c) Yes ST A INT'S A 12. What are the biggest challenges to introducing sustainable practices in your enterprise? A BBO a) Insufficient financial resources LEU DT P b) Lack of knowledge and information EVEO EL c) Unclear legal regulations OPPLE 2 M d) Lack of interest from the owners EN02 e) Lack of employee motivation T4–2 f) Other (please specify):025 13. How would you like to improve sustainability in your enterprise? a) Education on sustainability and available tools b) Financial support or grants c) Cooperation with other enterprises or the community d) Other (please specify): Digitalization and Sustainability 14. Do you use digital tools to implement or monitor sustainable practices in your enterprise? a) Yes b) No c) No, but we plan to in the future 15. If the previous answer is yes, how do digital technologies contribute to sustainability in your enterprise? (You can select multiple answers) a) Optimizing existing resources (e.g., energy or material consumption) b) Digital monitoring of production processes (and waste reduction) c) Increasing efficiency through digital processes (e.g., e-documents instead of paper) d) Improving communication with customers and partners e) Other (please specify): 16. Do you believe that digitalization facilitates the introduction of sustainable practices in micro and small enterprises? a) Does not facilitate b) Partially facilitates c) Facilitates d) Cannot assess 17. Which digital tools do you use to promote sustainability? (Multiple answers possible) a) Energy consumption tracking software b) Waste management tools c) Digital platforms for ESG reporting d) Software for supply chain optimization e) None f) Other (please specify): 73 er-R RN a) Yes ev AT b) No ie IO Pe IN 18. Do you believe that mandatory sustainability reporting would help micro and small enterprises? TE Closing Questions w N edA 19. Which form of support would be most useful for your enterprise in implementing sustainable L S Pr practices? (Multiple answers possible) o CIE ce N a) Financial support ed TIF ing b) Education on sustainable practices IC C U EN 20. What are the three key benefits you see in adopting sustainable practices? CE I ST A a) Reducing costs IN T'S A A b) Improving reputation B B O ok FE d) Regulatory guidelines and manuals R : S s Bo O c) Technical support (digital tools and resources) N LE U c) Access to financial support D T P EV d) Increasing market competitiveness EO EL OP PL e) Environmental preservation E 2 M EN 21. What sources of information about sustainable practices do you most often use? 02 T 4 a) Professional associations –2 02 b) Online guides and webinars 5 c) Consulting companies d) EU and national institutions 22. Do you have any additional comments or suggestions about the topic of sustainable practices in micro and small enterprises? (Open-ended response) 74 URBAN MOBILITY MEASURES FOR HEALTHIER w N edAL S Pr o FUTURE: ADAPTING MADRID’S LOW EMISSION CIE ceN edTIF ZONES MODEL FOR SOFIA ingIC C s BoONFE ok Mihaela Brankova, MSc, PhD Candidate R : SEN Urban planner, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy Sofia, Bulgaria Published scientific conference contribution Pe INTE 1.08 Objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci er-R RN evAT ieIO STU CE I ABSTRACT AB BO LEU D INA T'S A Madrid’s experience since 2018, it examines the contribution of LEZs to fostering the transition PLE 2 M EN02 to greener transport modes, the expansion of public transport networks and improving public T4 health. The research aimed to map out the steps for transferring these benefits to the city of Sofia the urban environment through the implementation of low-emission zones (LEZs). Focusing on EL EO OP This study explores the intersection of sustainable mobility, development, and public health in T P EV –2 in order to help transform it into a more resilient and sustainable city. A case-study approach 02 5 was employed, analysing the urban, social and economic elements that influence the success of the implementation of LEZs in Madrid. Data on urban mobility patterns, socio-economic factors, air quality, noise pollution and land use were examined using time-series analysis, Geographic information systems (GIS) for spatial and network analysis, alongside measurable indicators. Fi-nally, the research adapts the findings to Sofia, considering the specific local urban, regulatory, social and economic challenges by developing a model with guidelines for implementation. The introduction of LEZs in Sofia has the potential to significantly improve public health and create more resilient urban communities by enhancing the use of cleaner transportation alternatives and promoting sustainability and adaptability to climate change. Keywords: Urban mobility, Sustainability, Low-emission zones, Public health, Resilience 75 Pe 1 INTRODUCTION IN TE er Mitigating climate change effects on the urban environment and improving public health are ur--R R N ev AT gent goals to achieve as part of nations and cities race to net zero. Among the first most important ie IO w adopted documents in this regard is the 2015 Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate N ed A L S change, adopted by 196 countries at the UN Conference (COP21) with the main goal of striving to Pr “limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels”. According to the agreement, to o CIE ce N limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must peak no later than 2025 and ed TIF decrease by 43% by 2030 (United Nations 2015). ing IC C ok FE number 13 “Climate Action” from the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in it in 2015 (UN De-R : S s Bo O The other important binding document is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with goal N IN T'S A The GHG emissions, including from transport (11-12%), are a major contributor to the cities’ air A B B O quality and other climate issues, although overall they are already slowly but steadily decreas-LE U D T P ing for both Spain and Bulgaria (H. Ritchie et al. 2020). Modes of transport in the city, that use EV ST CE I ures, New Urban Agenda, Habitat III (Habitat III Secretariat 2017). A U EN partment of Economic and Social Affairs 2015) and included in the plan for the localization of meas- EL EO petrol and especially diesel fuel, have an undeniable negative impact on health and wellbeing OP PL E 2 causing air and noise pollution (Kozina, Radica, and Nižetić 2020) and in some cases severe traffic M EN accidents, as older cars and motorcycles do not have the modern safety systems and can often 02 T 4 produce dangerous malfunctions. –2 02 One of the tools and measures that emerged to tackle the mentioned urban challenges and to re- 5 duce dependence on the traditional fuel cars and motorcycles are the Low emission zones, which constitute well defined zones with variety of restrictions for polluting vehicles (Institute for Trans-portation and Development Policy 2023) from priced to not priced entrance, from severe restrictions for all to milder ones for residents and passing through traffic. These zones differ in size and restric-tions throughout more than 300 cites in Europe but their success in directly and immediately reduc-ing air pollution in the form of particulate matter (PM), especially with diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm (PM and nitrogen oxides (NO ) and in promoting and prioritizing more active and clean 2,5) x modes of transport, particularly walking and cycling, is undeniable (Transport & Environment 2019). 1.1 Madrid case study Madrid’s first LEZ model was initially introduced as part of a systematic approach included along with other sustainability initiatives in the “Plan A: Air Quality and Climate Change Plan” (Ayuntami-ento de Madrid 2017), included a total of 30 measures, adopted in September 2017 by the Madrid City Council. A large part of the measures (21 out of 30) of this plan are aimed at sustainable urban mobility and promotion of public transport, walking and the shared bike service called BiciMAD (EMT Madrid and Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2025), operated by the Municipal Transport Company (“Empre-sa Municipal de Transportes”, EMT). In late 2019 the LEZ model became part of an entirely new Sustainable Development Strategy called Madrid 360 (Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2024a), an increase from one to three (3) zones in total: two of which are LEZ with Special Protection “Centro” (corresponding to the previous LEZ limits) and “Pla-za Elíptica”, the third constitutes the entire city, declared as a LEZ as well. The interventions in the urban environment part of the Madrid 360 strategy are a combination of sustainable urban mobility measures combined with other sustainability initiatives with significant positive results in lowering air and acoustic pollution (localized effects) and promoting alternative modes of transport to the private car, namely walking, biking and using public transport. The main goal of the strategy is to re-duce emissions (compared to the levels of 1990) in the city of Madrid by 65% by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 (Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2022). The strategy fully adheres to the Strate-gic Development goals (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2015). Some of the results of the strategy’s implementation are already reality with 3 consecutive years (as of 2024) with all 24 air quality stations show the lowest NO levels since the start of application of 2 the community regulations (Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2024a). 76 1.2 Sofia case study increased urban heat islands effect. The implemented sustainability strategies (Sofia Municipality ed NAL S Pr and Infraproekt Konsult Ltd. 2019) over the last 10 years, for example the Integrated plan for Sus- oCIE tainable Development and Regeneration (Architecture and Urban planning Department Sofia 2013) ceN ed are only semi-successful including a first attempt to partially introduce a LEZ in the city center only TIF ingIC C for the winter months between December and February that is active since December 2022. The s BoON insufficient results from these initiatives is mainly due to the lack of proper control (for example okFER certain locations especially during the colder months, elevated noise pollution, especially around RNAT ev the main transport roads, urban transport with low frequency and with insufficient coverage and ieIO w Among the current environmental conditions in the Bulgarian capital are elevated air pollution in TE er -R Pe IN the current LEZ in Sofia is not controlled by fines and the restrictions are not enforced strictly), the : S EN unstable political situation in the country for the past 5 years and in many poor or lack thereof actual UCE I ST execution of the plans, despite the detailed and comprehensive research and target projects includ- A INT'S A ed in for example the Vision for Sofia 2030. A BBO LE Majorly improving Sofia’ sustainability and resilience to climate changes requires stricter imple -U DT P mentation, administration, monitoring and continuous adaptation of modern approaches that are EVEO EL tailored to the specific socio-demographic, administrative and legislative conditions in the country OPPLE 2 and in the city where around a quarter of the country’s population is concentrated (I. National Sta- M EN02 tistical Institute Bulgaria 2024). T4–202 1.3 Purpose and Goals5 1.3.1 Purpose The study’s purpose is to create a model encompassing a detailed phased approach with guidelines necessary to firstly choose suitable possible locations and secondly successfully implement LEZs and their related sustainable urban mobility interventions in Sofia city. 1.3.2 Goals The first goal of this research is to identify the best practices established in the LEZs implementation in combination with the rest of Madrid’ strategic interventions in the urban infrastructure, mobility patterns, administration, and legislation, using appropriate analysis techniques, depending on of-ficial available data. The second goal is to properly assess the success in the application of the interventions according to the indicators and compare these results with Sofia’s current situation to find the pain points where more strict measures are needed and where Sofia might have good practices already in place. The third and final goal is to create a model for implementation with guidelines for LEZs. 2 METHODS A case-study approach was employed, analysing the urban, social, and economic elements relevant to the implementation of LEZs in Madrid. Socio-economic data, including population growth, den-sity and distribution, were examined using time-series analysis to capture urban trends over time. SQL-based data manipulation was applied to clean, aggregate and normalise tabular data for land use, air and noise pollution. Geospatial vector, raster and tabular data was processed in a GIS software (QGIS) using spatial joins, geoenrichment with demographic information, data enrichment through overlay analyses, spatial and network analysis (for land use, population distribution, urban mobility patterns, public trans-port (PT), and PT accessibility), and spatial interpolation (Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method) for air quality and noise pollution data. Measurable indicators were derived from the analysis to synthesize and quantify targets. 77 Pe 3 RESULTS IN TE er-R R N 3.1 Analysis results ev AT ie IO w The urban profiles of Madrid and Sofia were compared on key factors that influence urban devel-N ed A L S opments, improvements and growth. Starting with the socio-demographic and economic ones the Pr CIE o year over year growth (YoY Growth) of Madrid and Sofia’s populations represented in Fig.1 was cal-ce N culated using the below stated formula. ed TIF ing IC C ok FER : S s Bo ON ST CE I A U EN IN T'S A Both cities’ populations currently have a growing trend for the past 20 years from 1,11M (2002) to D T P cline, coinciding with the Covid19 Pandemic years between 2020 and 2022 for both capitals (Figure EV EO 1.). The population growth is considered when comparing, calculating or normalizing other urban EL OP PL E 2 metrics further in the analysis. M EN B BO growth after 2010 in Sofia and a 5 year decrease in the same period for Madrid and finally a short de-LE U A 1,19M (2023) for Sofia and from 3,09M (2002) to 3,46M (2023) for Madrid. There was a continuous T 024 Figure 1: Population variation (YoY growth) from 2003 to 2023: Sofia and Madrid –2 02 5 (Source: Compiled by the author based on data from official sources) (Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2024b; Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Espaňa 2024c; National Statistical Institute Bulgaria 2024) Click or tap here to enter text.Click or tap here to enter text.Click or tap here to enter text. The LEZs’ current scopes for Madrid and Sofia are shown in Figure 2. It becomes apparent the scope and size of the LEZ currently implementing for the winter months in Sofia is not the problematic element of why it is until today not successful. 78 Figure 2: Location of LEZs in Madrid (top row, bottom left) and new LEZ in Sofia (bottom right) er TE -R Pe IN ie IO wN edAL S PrCIE ev RNAT ceo ed TIFN ing IC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 (Source: Compiled by the author based on data from official sources) (Geoportal del Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2021b) (Sofia Municipality 2024) 3.2 Indicators Madrid’s LEZ model’s impact on reducing GHG emissions and Particulate matter (PM) 2.5, improving air quality, acoustic pollution, and road safety was then assessed by focusing on key indicators from an urban, environmental and transport planning perspective. The indicators are represented in two separate tables, based on indicator categories. The specific indicators are chosen with the goal of encompassing most aspects of LEZ’s implementation and ef-fects on the urban environment and public health. The tracked values are based on two main types of data: - readily available open access tabular data (CSV, XLSX file formats) from official sources, collected and then further validated, cleaned and enriched, when necessary, inside Spreadsheets or using SQL, and then taken as a measurement - results from the analysis (using open access data) when concerning the need to use geospatial data (Shapefiles, GeoJSON, Geopackage file formats) for spatial and network analysis inside the free open-source GIS software QGIS. 79 w N edAL S Table 1: Indicators for measuring the impact of LEZs on the urban systems, environment, and public Pr CIE o health: initial, end, and target values for Urban and environment related categories: Air and Noise ce N Pollution, and Urban planning (values compiled by the author based on data from official sources). ed TIF ing IC C Initial values End Target s Bo O N city level values values Methods for meas-Unit of ok FE Cat. Indicators uring the indicators measure R Madrid Sofia Madrid Sofia : S EN 2018 er-R R Madrid and “Target” values for Sofia set by the author based on either the End values from Madrid or N ev AT on the analysis conducted so far. ie IO Pe IN LEZs and Sofia’s latest current state values, “End”, which are the latest found or most up-to-date for TE The values are organized in 3 groups: “Initial” with values for Madrid before the introduction of U latest latest 2025+ CE I ST A PM 3 2018: IN T'S A 2,5 concentration µg/m 9.2 19.8 b 10 <5 A B B O Air quality meas- LE U D PM 10 concentration urement stations. µg/m 3 2018: 40 T P 34.6 b 40 <15 EV (annual mean) ** EO EL 2020: OP PL NO 3 2022: E 2 2 concentration levels µg/m 40 >50 j <10 11.7 M Air and EN 02 noise GHG emissions from road transport Air quality meas- 2022: T 4 % 36.6 c 2015: <10 pollution –2 (as part of all GHG emissions) urement stations 17.3 d 32.6 c 02 Level of acoustic pollution daily Noise measure- 2022: 5 dB 62,6 e 2023: <53 ** average ment stations 64.1 f 62,3 e All-cause premature mortality rate Hospital records, 2021: linked to urban environmental public health % n.a. n.a. 3.4 g 0 factors like air pollution databases Green areas (only publicly accessible) Open data, Land h % 6.3 56.8 b 6.7 h 56.8 b use plan Urban Land use plan, Data Public spaces (including green areas) % 13.7 i 56.8 b 13.7 i 56.8 b planning analysis using SQL Public spaces (including local/pe- Land use plan, Data % 20.7 i n.a 20.7 i 56.8 destrian streets and green areas) analysis using SQL * For target values for air quality indicators are used the annual mean recommended levels established by the World Health Organization (World Health Organization (WHO) 2021). **Target value for acoustic pollution is set according to the WHO Environmental noise guidelines for the Europe-an Region for road traffic noise (World Health Organization (WHO) 2018) d (Denkstatt 2017); i (Geoportal del Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2021a); g (Iungman et al. 2021); b (Sofiaplan 2021); f (National statistical institute 2022); k (Statista 2023); c (Directorate General for Sustainabil-ity and Environmental Control Sub-directorate of Energy and Climate Change 2024, 5); j (Environmental Association “Za Zemiata” 2024) ; e (Portal de datos abiertos del Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2024a); h (Portal de datos abiertos del Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2024b); 80 PT and Accessibility (values compiled by the author based on data from official sources). er-R RN evAT Initial values city lic health: initial, end, and predicted values for Mobility related categories: Modal Split and traffic, Pe INTE Table 2: Indicators for measuring the impact of LEZs on the urban systems, environment, and pub- Cat. Methods for measuring level End Target ie IO wN values values ed Unit of A IndicatorsL S Pr the indicators measure Madrid Sofia Madrid 2035 oCIE 2018 latest latest ceN edTIF 2017: n.a. Modal split: PT % 34.4 a >40 ingIC C 37 b s BoON 2017: Modal Modal split: walking Traffic monitoring and ok % 38.2 a n.a. >35 FER 29,7 b counting points, GPS : SEN tracking, app-based mo-U 2017: CE I Modal split: cycling bility data, travel surveys % 0.6 a n.a. >5 ST 1,8 b A INT'S A split and A traffic Modal split: cars and motor-2017: BB % 24.1 a n.a. <20O cycles 30,4 b LEU DT P EV Vehicle registration data-Cars/ 1000 2020: 2021: Motorization rate 420 c <500EO bases, population census inh.* 663 540 EL OPPLE 2 M Road accidents databases, deaths/ 1M 2023: 2023: Road safety 11.5 d <5 EN02 hospital databases inh. 35 e 7.5d T4–2 Passengers passing Annual 2023: 2023: 02 Optimal metro load capacity through metro entrance 201.2f >150 trips/ inh. 103.7l 191.4f5 barriers Optimal surface PT load ca- Transport documents Annual 2018: 2014: 2023: 250 pacity sold, video monitoring trips/ inh. 128.7 j 242m 131.4g Metro stations 0.5K 0.5 km2 Stations/ 2023: 2023: 0.23 l 0.5 k PT databases accessi- Surface PT stops 17.4 j >15 PT and Stops/ 2021: 2023: km2 9.2 m 18.3 j bility Bike sharing services use Annual 2018: 2023: Bicycles rented annually n.a. >1 trips/inh. 1.1i 2.2g Walking accessibility 2021: 2023: (<15min metro station, Network Analysis % 85 100 73.1 90 <5min surface PT stop) PT stops and stations with Ordinance conditions accessibility for people with % 100 e n.a. 100 e 100 comparison analysis reduced mobility *inh.=inhabitants b (Sofia Municipality and Infraproekt Konsult Ltd. 2019); m (Sofiaplan 2021); c (Area de Gobierno de Medio Ambiente 2022); i (Portal de datos abiertos del Ayuntamiento de Madrid 2022); d (Dirección General de la Policía Municipal de Madrid 2024); j (EMT Madrid 2024a); g (EMT Madrid 2024b); f (Metro de Madrid 2024a); k (Metro de Madrid 2024b); l (Metropolitan Sofia 2024); a (Monzón et al. 2024); e (National Statistical Institute and Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria 2024); h (International Association of Public Transport 2025) 3.3 Adoption model, guidelines next steps The research results will be used in a multicriterial analysis to finally adapt the findings to Sofia, con-sidering the specific local urban, regulatory, social and economic challenges by developing a model with guidelines for implementation. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is chosen to help streamline finding the most suitable LEZ locations based on the results of the indicators which are further evaluated and given scores. As selection criterions in this next step will be used pollution distribution (air and noise), PT accessibil-ity, both walking and cycling and traffic information. These criterions in the form of raster or vector layers will be used I the MCDA model with assigned weights. Results of the MCDA will be used in the rest of the PhD Research. 81 ie IO wN edA - Phase 1: Immediate measures (low-cost interventions like for example “slow zones” (with L S Pr restrictions for driving speed of 30km/h), awareness campaigns). o CIE ce N- Phase 2: Public transport and cycling infrastructure improvements. ed TIF- Phase 3: Gradual enforcement through warnings and then fines. ing IC C- Phase 4: Expansion of LEZs. s Bo O N FE er TE-RRN ensure best results in terms of environmental benefits. ev AT- Phased implementation, with each phase ending in evaluation of the execution: Pe IN - Data first: A data-driven approach must be employed when choosing potential LEZ locations to The guidelines for choosing LEZ locations, synthesized after this study are the following: ok - Public acceptance and stakeholder involvement: the importance of involving various stakehold- R : S EN ers in the planning and implementation process, a clear definition of roles of citizens, businesses, U CE I ST and government agencies, timeline of their involvement. Strategies for public engagement and A IN T'S A behavioral change. A B B O - Financial incentives for Zero-emission alternatives: making subsidies and tax incentives part of LE U D T P the process for enforcing the LEZs, especially for citizens who reside inside the limits of the zones EV EO with restrictions. Financial support is beneficial to promoting electric mobility and non-motor - EL OP PL ized transport. E 2 M - Monitoring: the control and actual enforcement of the LEZs is just as important as their overall EN 02 T 4 implementation from the rest of the guidelines. –2 02 5 4 DISCUSSION The proper introduction of LEZs in Sofia has the potential to significantly improve public health and create more resilient urban communities by enhancing the use of cleaner transportation alterna-tives and promoting sustainability and adaptability to climate change. In its current incomplete form, the limited to a few months in year LEZ in the Bulgarian capital, introduced after this research started, could not possibly achieve the same results as the larger-scale LEZs as an integral part of the comprehensive sustainable mobility approach of Madrid. Sofia is already behind with some of the goals set in the extensive “Vision for Sofia” Strategy and the city’s administration needs to take on a firmer approach to mitigating its ongoing pollution issues, to addressing its road safety con-cerns and accessibility challenges as well as to promote and actually support further the sustainable modes of transport like for example bike-sharing and electric urban transport vehicles. The current study as a part of the author’s PhD research, which has not yet concluded at the time of writing this article, means that that the analysis of some of the data is yet to be expanded, including a more detailed spatial analysis approach to the air and noise pollution data series. Some data was also not readily available or found in the publicly accessible documents and official open data web-pages related to all urban data for some time periods which means some indicator measurements might be slightly outdated or incomplete. Nevertheless, implementing the multiple LEZs approach in combination with all other sustainable mobility measures simultaneously in the rest of the big Bulgarian cities, not only in the capital, could be explored in connection to this study and to the overall net-zero goals of the country. 5 CONCLUSION This paper presents a structured approach to implementing LEZs as a successful sustainable urban transport measure that can significantly contribute to improving public health and citizen’s quality of life by reducing air and noise pollution through the introduction of traffic limitations, by improv-ing traffic safety through new speed limits and larger pedestrian zones, by improving city walkabil-ity and promoting healthier mobility alternatives to the private car. The ongoing urgent need to mitigate climate change and improve public health could be achieved through thoughtfully planned measures with a phased implementation, like the low and ze-ro-emission zones, that are well-accepted by the local communities given the use of a comprehen-sive public inclusion campaigns, forums and workshops and following of the guidelines for fund- 82 These measures gradually transform people’s quality of life within city limits, create places out of er-R RN evAT public spaces and promote a healthier urban living, using the planning for the people approach and ieIO could be the Barcelona Superblocks which have also already found an implementation in Madrid. Pe INTE ing and other incentives for the citizens. Other measures that could be researched in the same way shifting away from the last century’s car-centric urban developments. w N edAL S PrCIE o ceN edTIF ingIC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 83 Pe REFERENCES IN TE er 1. Architecture and Urban planning Department Sofia. 2013. Integrated Plan for Sustainable Develo--R R N ev AT pment and Regeneration. Available at: https://nag.sofia.bg/Pages/Render/765 (February 1, 2025). ie IO w 2. Area de Gobierno de Medio Ambiente. 2022. Plan de Movilidad Sostenible Madrid 360. N ed A L S 3. Ayuntamiento de Madrid. 2017. Plan A: Air Quality and Climate Change Plan for the City of Madrid. Pr CIE o 4. ———. 2022. Roadmap to Climate Neutrality by 2050. Madrid 360 Update. ce N ed TIF 5. ———. 2024a. Madrid 360 Official Webpage. Available at: https://www.madrid360.es/ (January ing IC C 31, 2025). s Bo O N 6. ———. 2024b. Población Por Distrito y Barrio Madrid. Portal de Datos Abiertos Del Ayuntamiento de ok FE R Madrid. Available at: https://datos.madrid.es/portal/site/egob (January 29, 2025). : S EN U 7. Denkstatt. 2017. Inventory of the Greenhouse Gas Emission of Sofia Municipality. Available at: CE I ST A www.denkstatt.bg (February 1, 2025). IN T'S A A 8. Dirección General de la Policía Municipal de Madrid. 2024. Siniestralidad Vial 2023. B B O LE U 9. Directorate General for Sustainability and Environmental Control Sub-directorate of Energy and D T P EV Climate Change. 2024. Inventory of Madrid City Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2022. Madrid. EO EL OP 10. EMT Madrid. 2024a. Cuentas Anuales e Informes de Gestión. Available at: https://www.emtma-PL E 2 M drid.es/Elementos-Cabecera/Enlaces-Pie-vertical/EMPRESA/Somos/Informes-anuales.aspx (Fe-EN 02 T 4 bruary 1, 2025). –2 11. ———. 2024b. EMT Madrid Viajeros Transportados 2023. Available at: https://www.emtmadrid.es/ 02 5 Noticias/EMT-Madrid-bate-records-en-2023,-superando-los-454.aspx (February 1, 2025). 12. EMT Madrid, and Ayuntamiento de Madrid. 2025. BiciMAD. Available at: https://www.bicimad. com/estadisticas (January 31, 2025). 13. Environmental Association “Za Zemiata.” 2024. Nitrogen Dioxide Air Pollution from Transport befo- re, during and after the Low-Emission Zone in Sofia. 14. Geoportal del Ayuntamiento de Madrid. 2021a. Urbanismo. Destino Urbanístico Del Suelo. Availa- ble at: https://geoportal.madrid.es (February 1, 2025). 15. ———. 2021b. Zona de Bajas Emisiones de Especial Protección (ZBEDEP) Distrito Centro, Regulada En La Ordenanza de Movilidad Sostenible. Available at: https://geoportal.madrid.es (February 1, 2025). 16. Habitat III Secretariat. 2017. New Urban Agenda 2030. United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), 2017, i–54. 17. Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. 2023. What Is A Low Emission Zone? Availa- ble at: https://itdp.org/2023/02/22/what-is-a-low-emission-zone/ (January 31, 2025). 18. Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Espaňa. 2024a. Estadística de Migraciones y Cambios de Resi- dencia. Available at: https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid= 1254736177098&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735573002 (January 31, 2025). 19. ———. 2024b. Nacimientos Por Lugar de Residencia de La Madre y Sexo. Available at: https://www. ine.es/jaxiT3/Tabla.htm?t=6506 (January 31, 2025). 20. ———. 2024c. Population by municipalities. Madrid. Available at: https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Da- tos.htm?t=33847 (January 29, 2025). 21. International Association of Public Transport. 2025. Madrid • CityTransit Data. Available at: https:// citytransit.uitp.org/madrid (January 30, 2025). 22. Iungman, Tamara, Sasha Khomenko, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Evelise Pereira Barboza, Albert Ambròs, Cindy M. Padilla, and Natalie Mueller. 2021. The Impact of Urban and Transport Planning on Health: Assessment of the Attributable Mortality Burden in Madrid and Barcelona and Its Dis- tribution by Socioeconomic Status. Environmental Research 196 (May). Available at: https://doi. org/10.1016/J.ENVRES.2021.110988 (February 1, 2025). 23. Kozina, Ante, Gojmir Radica, and Sandro Nižetić. 2020. Analysis of Methods towards Reduction of Harmful Pollutants from Diesel Engines. Journal of Cleaner Production 262 (July): 121105. Availa- ble at: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2020.121105 (February 1, 2025). 84 26. Metropolitan Sofia. 2024. -somos/metro-de-madrid-en-cifras (February 1, 2025). w N edAL S Operating Metro Sofia. Available at: https://www.metropolitan.bg/en/ Pr oCIE scheme/operating-metro (February 1, 2025). ceN ed 27. Monzón, Andrés, Cristina López, Ramón Del Cuvillo, Allison Fernández, Marta Fernández, and TIF ingIC C Silvia Hernández. 2024. Informe Observatorio de la Movilidad Metropolitana 2022 - Avance 2023. s BoO Madrid. Available at: https://publicaciones.transportes.gob.es (January 29, 2025).N okFER 28. National statistical institute. 2022. Registered Noise Levels by District and Town. Available at: https:// : SEN www.nsi.bg/en/content/2574/registered-noise-levels-district-and-town (January 30, 2025). 25. ———. 2024b. Metro de Madrid En Cifras. Available at: https://www.metromadrid.es/es/quienes-28, 2025). er-R RN evAT ieIO 24. Metro de Madrid. 2024a. Accesibilidad Universal de Las Estaciones de Metro Para Personas Con Mo-vilidad Reducida. Available at: https://www.metromadrid.es/es/accesibilidad#panel1 (January Pe INTE 30. ———. 2024b. Migration of the Population by Districts, Municipalities and Sex. Available at: https:// tistical-regions-districts-and-sex (January 30, 2025). B BO LEU DT P EVEO EL www.nsi.bg/en/content/3060/migration-population-districts-municipalities-and-sex (January OPPLE 2 30, 2025). 29. National Statistical Institute Bulgaria. 2024a. Births by Place of Residence, Statistical Regions, Di- AIN T'S A A stricts and Sex. Available at: https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/2956/births-place-residence-sta- STU CE I ENM 02 31. National Statistical Institute Bulgaria, Infostat. 2024. Population by cities in Bulgaria. Available at: T 4–2 https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/reports/result.jsf?x_2=1089 (January 9, 2025). 02 32. National Statistical Institute, and Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria. 2024. Road Traffic Accidents in 5 Bulgaria 2023. Available at: https://www.nsi.bg/en/publications/road-traffic-accidents-in-the- -republic-of-bulgaria-2023-2254 (January 30, 2025). 33. Portal de datos abiertos del Ayuntamiento de Madrid. 2022. BiciMAD. Alta de Usuarios y Usos Por Día Del Servicio Público de Bicicleta Eléctrica. Available at: https://datos.madrid.es/portal/site/ egob (February 1, 2025). 34. ———. 2024a. Contaminación Acústica. Datos Históricos Mensuales. Available at: https://datos.ma- drid.es/portal/site/egob (February 1, 2025). 35. ———. 2024b. Superficie de Parques y Zonas Verdes de Madrid. Available at: https://datos.madrid. es/portal/site/egob (February 1, 2025). 36. Ritchie, Hannah, Pablo Rosado, and Max Roser. 2020. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions (January 29, 2025). 37. Sofia Municipality. 2024. Low Emission Zones. Available at: https://www.sofia.bg/low-emission- -zones (January 26, 2025). 38. Sofia Municipality, and Infraproekt Konsult Ltd. 2019. Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the City of Sofia 2035. 39. Sofiaplan. 2021. Open Data Portal Sofiaplan. Available at: https://sofiaplan.bg/api/ (January 26, 2025). 40. Statista. 2023. Europe: NO₂ Concentrations in Select Cities 2023 | Statista. Available at: https:// www.statista.com/statistics/1185973/no2-concentrations-in-select-cities-in-europe-covid-19/ (February 2, 2025). 41. Transport & Environment. 2019. Low-Emission Zones Are a Success - but They Must Now Move to Zero-Emission Mobility. Available at: https://www.transportenvironment.org/sites/te/files/pu- blications/2019_09_Briefing_LEZ-ZEZ_final.pdf (January 9, 2025). 42. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2015. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development | SDGs. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda (January 31, 2025). 43. United Nations. 2015. The Paris Agreement | UNFCCC. December. Available at: https://unfccc.int/ process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement (January 31, 2025). 44. World Health Organization (WHO). 2018. Noise Guidelines for the European Region. Available at: http://www.euro.who.int/pubrequest (January 30, 2025). 45. ———. 2021. Air_qulity_Guidelines_WHO. 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/publicati- ons/i/item/9789240034228 (January 30, 2025). 85 Pe AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY IN TE er Mihaela Brankova, Urb. MSc is a PhD Candidate at the Urban Planning Department of the University -R R N ev AT of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her research and dissertation topic ie IO w are focused on Models for Restructuring the Urban Transport and Environment upon Implementing N ed A L S Sustainable Urban Mobility Measures. Pr CIE o ce N ed TIF ing IC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 86 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN DEVELOPING w N edAL S Pr o ESG STRATEGIES: A PATH TO CARBON NEUTRALITY CIE ceN edTIF ALIGNED WITH EU GUIDELINES ingIC C s BoONFE ok Marko Homšak, Assistant Professor, PhDR : SEN Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia Published scientific conference contribution Pe INTE 1.08 Objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci er-R RN evAT ieIO STU CE I ABSTRACT AB BO LEU D INA T'S A European and global directives. This paper explores the multifaceted challenges organisations PLE 2 M EN02 face when designing and implementing ESG strategies, emphasizing their alignment with EU T4 regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU taxono- porate sustainability, driven by the urgency of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with EL EO OP ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies have emerged as a cornerstone for cor- T P EV –2 my. These frameworks aim to standardise sustainability reporting and ensure the integration of 02 5 ESG principles into core business practices. This study highlights key obstacles, including the com-plexity of collecting, analysing, and reporting reliable environmental and social data, as well as ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance. Additionally, it addresses the difficulties in establishing measurable environmental indicators and integrating them into decision-making processes. The lack of standardisation in ESG metrics across industries further complicates ef-forts to meet stakeholders’ expectations. The article presents examples of best practices from organisations that have successfully navigated these challenges, offering insights into strategies for fostering collaboration among stakeholders, including management, employees, and supply chain partners. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach that balances envi-ronmental goals with social and governance considerations, ensuring long-term business resil-ience. This paper provides actionable recommendations and practical insights for organisations (universities, large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) striving to transition towards sustainable business models. It serves as a valuable resource for companies seeking to not only comply with regulatory demands but also to create meaningful impact through their ESG strategies, contributing to global sustainability goals. The paper addresses a research gap by transferring some of the extensive experience of large European companies that have set ambi-tious sustainability goals to the Slovene context. Best practices to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 within the framework of the adopted European Green Deal are presented both for large enterprises and SMEs. Keywords: ESG strategy, sustainability, carbon neutrality, EU directives, CSRD, transparency, tax-onomy, best practices 87 Pe 1 INTRODUCTION IN TE er-R R Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies have become pivotal for corporate sustain-N ev ability in the 21 st AT century. With the European Union (EU) aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, ESG ie IO w frameworks have been integrated into corporate agendas to meet both regulatory requirements N ed A L S and societal expectations. This paper examines the critical challenges and opportunities organisa- Pr tions face in developing ESG strategies, focusing on alignment with EU guidelines such as the Corpo-o CIE ce N rate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) (EU 2022) and the EU taxonomy (EU 2020). By analys-ed TIF ing these frameworks, the paper underscores their role in standardising sustainability practices and ing IC C driving progress toward global sustainability goals. s Bo O N FE ok R : S EN U 2 PURPOSE AND GOALS CE I ST A IN T'S A This study aims to: A B B 1. Identify the key challenges organisations face in developing and implementing ESG strategies. O LE U D T P 2. Explore opportunities for improving ESG frameworks through alignment with EU directives. EV EO 3. Provide actionable recommendations for achieving carbon neutrality while ensuring regulatory EL OP PL compliance and stakeholder engagement. E 2 M EN 02 The ultimate goal is to offer a comprehensive resource for diverse organisations—universities, large T 4 corporations, and micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—to transition towards sustainable –2 02 business models effectively. 5 3 METHODS The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses:- Literature Review: Analysis of EU regulations, including the CSRD and EU taxonomy, to under- stand their impact on corporate sustainability practices. - Case Studies: Examination of organisations (particularly the primary aluminium production) that have successfully implemented ESG strategies, highlighting best practices and lessons learned. Six sustainability reports from major aluminium producers within the EFTA region (Rio Tinto, Al- can, Hydro, Slovalco, Aluminium Dunkerque, Novelis) were reviewed, along with four sustain- ability reports from Slovenian companies (Petrol, Acroni, Impol, Cinkarna). Based on these ex- periences, a sustainability report, together with a taxonomy, was prepared for the aluminium producer in Kidričevo for the years 2022 and 2023. - Interviews: Insights from industry experts, policymakers, and sustainability officers to identify re- al-world challenges and solutions. Between 2023 and 2024, several in-person interviews were conducted at four European Aluminium meetings, an association comprising more than 600 lar- ge companies engaged in aluminium production and processing. In addition, interviews were carried out with the largest companies in Slovenia through the Chamber of Commerce and In- dustry of Slovenia, covering the steel, paper, and glass industries. An interview with a represen- tative of the Municipality of Kidričevo, where aluminium production takes place, was conducted as part of the process of obtaining the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) standard, focusing on sustainability challenges in the social domain. Regarding sustainability investment, meetings were held with representatives of banks in Slovenia. - Data Analysis: Evaluation of sustainability reports to assess the effectiveness of current ESG met- rics and their alignment with regulatory requirements. 4 RESULTS 4.1 Challenges in Developing ESG Strategies 4.1.1 Data Collection and Reporting Organisations face significant obstacles in gathering reliable environmental and social data with the goal of one-click data availability. Reporting requires information from different departments 88 increase in demand for corporate sustainability information in recent years, especially on the part er-R RN evAT of the investment community. That increase in demand is driven by the changing nature of risks ieIO erbates the complexity, leading to inconsistencies in reporting. There has been a very significant Pe INTE in the company, locations or subsidiaries. The lack of standardised metrics and frameworks exac- to undertakings and growing investor awareness of the financial implications of those risks. That w N edA is especially the case for climate-related financial risks. There is also a growing awareness of the L S PrCIE risks and opportunities for undertakings and for investments resulting from other environmental o ceN issues, such as biodiversity loss, and from health and social issues, including child labour and forced edTIF labour. The increase in demand for sustainability information is also driven by the growth in in- ingIC C ‘Paris Agreement’), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and Union policies. : S EN UCE I ST A INT'S A A 4.1.2 Regulatory Compliance BBO sustainability objectives and to ensure coherence with the ambition of the Paris Agreement under ok FER the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted on 12 December 2015 (the vestment products that explicitly seek to meet certain sustainability standards or achieve certain s Bo ON Ensuring alignment with evolving EU directives poses a challenge, particularly for SMEs with limit- LE U DT P EVEO ed resources. Compliance with the CSRD requires extensive internal restructuring and investment EL OPPL in new technologies. Through the CSRD reporting obligation, the growing demand for transparent E 2 M and reliable information about companies’ performance in environmental, social, and governance EN02 T4 (ESG) areas will be addressed. It replaces the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) (EU 2014) in –2 effect since 2014.025 4.1.3 Stakeholder Engagement Balancing the expectations of diverse stakeholders—including investors, employees, and supply chain partners—remains a significant hurdle. Misalignment among stakeholders can hinder effec-tive ESG implementation. 4.1.4 Integration into Decision-Making Establishing measurable environmental indicators and embedding them into strategic deci-sion-making processes is another challenge. Many organizations struggle to quantify their environ-mental and social impacts in actionable terms. The company has to maximise the value of the data and track the targets over the years, monitor goals, measure key performance indicators (KPIs) and meet CSRD reporting obligations in the most optimal way. The IT departments in the companies are very much involved in that extensive and complex process and help with competitive advantages that increase the long-term profitability. 4.2 Reporting Obligations for Large Companies and SMEs The companies have to evaluate financial risks and opportunities, as well as positive and negative impacts, from an inside-out and outside-in perspective. The first necessary step to the CSRD report-ing obligation is the so-called Double Materiality Assessment, which involves plotting a graph to ensure that the company lays the foundation for a strategy and a report that will stand up to scru-tiny. Currently, all large companies which have >500 employees and are publicly listed were al-ready required to comply with NFRD. Starting in January 2025, large companies that meet two of the following three criteria will be affected: >250 employees, annual turnover of >€20 million or/and net revenue of >€40 million. The scope of this directive will be gradually extended over the com-ing years. Ultimately, this expansion will result in a reporting obligation for approximately 50,000 companies across the EU, including around 15,000 in Germany. Starting in January 2026, all publicly listed SMEs will be required to report if they exceeded two of the following three criteria: more than 10 employees, balance sheet total of more than €450,000 or a turnover of more than €900,000. Non-European companies are required to report by 2028 with the following conditions: a net turn-over of more than €150 million € in the EU and at least one subsidiary or branch located within it. 89 4.2.1 EU Taxonomy and Relevant Regulations er TE The EU Taxonomy (Directive 2022/2464 (EU 2022), Regulation EU 2021/2178 (EC 2021), Regulation -R Pe IN o - Establish criteria for determining whether an economic activity contributes substantially to envi-ce N ed ronmental objectives, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation. TIF ing IC C- Promote sustainable investments by providing investors with reliable information on environ-s Bo O N mentally friendly activities. ok FE R The EU Taxonomy establishes a common understanding of green economic activities that make a : S EN U substantial contribution to EU environmental goals, by providing consistent, objective criteria. To-CE I ST A gether with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) these two instruments will en-IN ie IO for environmentally sustainable activities. It aims to: w N ed A L S- Ensure clarity and transparency in sustainability reporting. Pr CIE ev RN EU 2021/2139 (EC 2021), and Regulation EU 2020/852 (EU 2020)) provides a classification system AT B sure that companies falling under the scope of the CSRD disclose the environmental performance B O LE A T'S A D U information of the company as well as information about a company’s Taxonomy-aligned economic EL tion (SFDR) has been applied from the 10th of March 2021. Compliance with sustainability-related OP PL EV T P activities. For financial products and financial entities, the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regula- EO EN 02 on the business models of companies that are being invested in. The green economic activities are T 4 –2 M E 2 disclosures is expected to have considerable behavioural effects on financial firms, and indirectly 02 adaptation, sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, transition to circular 5 defined according to six EU environmental objectives: climate change mitigation, climate change economy, pollution prevention and control, and protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. It also sets out four conditions that an economic activity has to meet to be recognised as Taxonomy-aligned: making a substantial contribution to at least one environmental objective, doing no significant harm to any other environmental objective, complying with minimum social safeguards and complying with the technical screening criteria. According to Delegated regulation (EU) 2021/2178 (EC 2021), the companies should prepare the data and calculate the proportion of turnover, capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) from products or services associated with taxonomy-aligned economic activities for a certain year (templates for the KPIs of non-financial undertakings in Annex II). 4.2.2 Obligations for Large Companies Large companies are required to disclose detailed information on their environmental performance and social impact under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This includes:- Adherence to the EU taxonomy’s criteria for sustainable activities.- Comprehensive reporting on environmental, social, and governance metrics using eleven (11) Eu- ropean Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) outlined in Regulation EU 2023/2772 (EC 2023). - Alignment with global sustainability goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (UN 2015a). - Reporting on their carbon footprint (ESRS E1), which includes measuring, managing, and reduc- ing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 categories. Two ESRS standards are related to general requirements and disclosures (ESRS 1&2), five standards (ESRS E1 to E5) to environmental issues (climate change, pollution, water & marine resources, bio-diversity and ecosystems, and resource use and circular economy), four standards (ESRS S1 to S4) to social demand (own workforce, workers in the value chain, affected communities, consumers and end-users) and one standard (ESRS G1) to business conduct. EFRAG develops with industry experts sector-specific standards (agriculture, livestock, fisheries, mining, energy and utilities, food, trans-portation, etc.) and will be released later. Articles 19a and 29a of Directive 2013/34/EU (EU 2013) apply to large undertakings that are pub-lic-interest entities with an average number of employees in excess of 500, and to public-interest entities that are parent undertakings of a large group with an average number of employees in excess of 500 on a consolidated basis, respectively. The obligation for large companies according to CSRD directive will start by the 30th of September 2025. 90 4.2.3 Obligations for SMEs - Providing concise disclosures on their contributions to environmental objectives. w N edA Demonstrating alignment with selected ESRS standards.L S PrCIE o- Participating in capacity-building initiatives to improve their reporting capabilities and meet ceN ed stakeholder expectations.TIF ingIC C- Reporting on value chain emissions (upstream and downstream) to provide a complete picture s BoON practices that align with the EU taxonomy. Key obligations include: RNAT ev ieIO- While SMEs face less stringent requirements, they are encouraged to adopt simplified reporting TE er -R Pe IN The sustainability reporting standards for small and medium-sized undertakings will constitute a of their environmental impact. ok FER : SEN U reference for undertakings that are within the scope of the requirements introduced by the amend-CE I ST A ing Directive EU 2022/2464 regarding the level of sustainability information that they could reason- INT'S A A ably request from small and medium-sized undertakings that are suppliers or clients in the value BBO LE chains of such undertakings. Small and medium-sized undertakings whose securities are admitted U DT P to trading on a regulated market in the Union should, in addition, be given sufficient time to prepare EVEO EL for the application of the provisions requiring sustainability reporting, due to their smaller size and OPPLE 2 more limited resources, and taking account of the difficult economic circumstances created by the M EN02 Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the provisions on corporate sustainability reporting with regards to T4–2 small and medium-sized undertakings, except micro undertakings, whose securities are admitted 02 to trading on a regulated market in the Union should apply for financial years starting on or after 5 the 1 st of January 2026 . Following that date, for a transitional period of two years , small and medi- um-sized undertakings whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market in the Union should have the possibility of opting-out from the sustainability reporting requirements laid down in this amending Directive, provided they briefly state in their management report why the sustain-ability information has not been provided. Member States should consider introducing measures to support small and medium-sized undertakings in applying the sustainability reporting standards. 4.3 Reporting Requirements for Carbon Footprint (ESRS E1) Under ESRS E1, companies have to: - Measure and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, categorized into: - Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. - Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling. - Scope 3: All other indirect emissions occurring in the value chain, including upstream and downstream activities (logistic). - Set science-based targets for emissions reduction and outline the strategies for achieving these targets. - Provide detailed disclosures on climate-related risks and opportunities, in alignment with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Financial markets need clear, comprehensive, high-quality information on the impacts of climate change. This includes the risks and opportunities presented by rising temperatures, climate-related policy, and emerging technologies in our changing world. The Financial Stability Board (FSB) creat-ed the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2015 to improve and increase reporting of climate-related financial information (Financial Stability Board 2015). TCFD are struc-tured around four thematic pillars that represent core elements of how organizations operate: gov-ernance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. If the company imports certain products as part of European emissions trading, they have to ful-fil the requirements of the CO Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as well. The EU CBAM 2 (EU 2023) is a carbon tariff on carbon intensive products in six sectors, such as aluminium, cement, electricity, fertilisers, hydrogen, and iron and steel. The period from 1st October 2023 to the end of December of 2025 will constitute a transitional phase, in which the importers of products into EU 91 er-R R of products included in these 6 sectors will begin to pay a border carbon tax for their products based N ev AT on the price of allowances in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) (EU 2003). By 2023 all sectors ie IO Pe IN can be added to the list – e.g. some downstream products. From the beginning of 2026, importers TE will need to report their emissions. During that phase, the regulators will check if other products w N covered by the EU ETS will be covered by CBAM. By 2034, free allowances in the relevant sectors in ed A L S Pr the EU will be phased out as the fully implemented CBAM ensures a level playing field for European CIE o companies in comparison to importers. ce N ed TIF ing IC C 4.4 Reporting on Value Chain (Upstream and Downstream) Impacts s Bo ON To ensure comprehensive sustainability reporting, organizations are required to: ok FE R- Analyse and disclose emissions and other environmental impacts across the value chain. : S EN U CE I- Upstream Activities: Include emissions from suppliers, production, and logistics. ST A IN T'S A- Downstream Activities: Cover emissions from product use, end-of-life treatment, and distribution. A B B O- Collaborate with stakeholders across the value chain to collect accurate data and implement LE U D T P measures for reducing the overall carbon footprint. EV EO EL OP PL 4.5 Alignment with United Nations Goals and Principles E 2 M EN 02 The integration of ESG strategies must align with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development T 4 –2 Goals (SDGs) (UN 2015b), focusing on: 02- Climate Action (Goal 13) 5 - Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12) - Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8) Additionally, organizations should adhere to the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles (UN 2000), which emphasize: 1. Human rights. 2. Labour standards. 3. Environmental protection. 4. Anti-corruption measures. 4.6 Opportunities in ESG Implementation 4.6.1 Technological Advancements Innovations in data analytics, blockchain, and artificial intelligence offer opportunities to enhance transparency and accuracy in ESG reporting. 4.6.2 Stakeholder Collaboration Collaborative initiatives among governments, NGOs, and private sectors can facilitate knowledge sharing and resource optimization, addressing common challenges. 4.6.3 Financial Incentives Access to green financing and subsidies provided by EU frameworks encourages investment in sus-tainable practices. 4.6.4 Long-Term Business Resilience Adopting a holistic ESG approach ensures resilience against market disruptions, fostering trust among stakeholders and enhancing corporate reputation. 5 DISCUSSION The findings highlight the intricate interplay between regulatory compliance and organisational capabilities. The lack of standardised metrics across industries underscores the need for harmo- 92 among stakeholders are essential for overcoming resistance and fostering a shared commitment to er-R RN evAT sustainability goals. The aluminium industry in the EU and Slovenia exemplifies these challenges, ieIO in driving ESG integration emerges as a critical factor. Effective communication and collaboration Pe INTE nised frameworks to ensure consistency and comparability. Furthermore, the role of leadership particularly in the context of the green transition. High energy consumption and reliance on non-re- w N edA newable energy sources make decarbonisation efforts particularly challenging. Companies must L S PrCIE invest significantly in green technologies, including renewable energy sources and energy-efficient o ceN production processes, to meet ESG requirements. However, these investments also present oppor- edTIF tunities for leadership in sustainability and long-term cost savings. A noteworthy example is the ingIC C huge steps from primary to secondary aluminium production. : S EN UCE I ST A INT'S A These reports highlight how targeted investments in renewable energy and circular economy prac- A BB tices can drive meaningful progress. The analysis also reveals that while larger corporations have CapEx and OpEx for 2023 (Talum d. d. 2024). for products and services of a primary aluminium com- ok FER pany, showcasing transparency and commitment to sustainable practices which has already made publication of sustainability reports combined with green investments presented with turnover, s Bo ON the resources to adapt to regulatory demands, SMEs require tailored support mechanisms to bridge LE OU DT P EV gaps in expertise and funding. The importance of leveraging technological tools and fostering a EO EL OPPL culture of innovation cannot be overstated, as these elements drive efficiency and effectiveness in E 2 M ESG implementation. EN02 T4–202 6 CONCLUSION5 This paper underscores the urgency of developing robust ESG strategies aligned with EU guidelines to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. By addressing challenges such as data collection, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement, organizations can unlock opportunities for sustainable growth and resilience. The actionable recommendations provided serve as a roadmap for entities across various sectors to transition toward sustainable business models, contributing to global sus-tainability goals. 6.1 Recommendations A) Enhance Data Standardisation: Develop industry-specific guidelines for ESG metrics to improve reporting consistency. B) Leverage Technology: Invest in digital tools for real-time data analysis and reporting. C) Foster Stakeholder Collaboration: Establish platforms for dialogue among stakeholders to align goals and expectations. D) Tailor Support for SMEs: Provide targeted funding and training programs to assist smaller organ- izations in meeting regulatory requirements. E) Promote Leadership Commitment: Encourage leadership to champion ESG initiatives, fostering a culture of sustainability. 93 Pe REFERENCES IN TE er 1. European Commission (EC). 2021. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2178. Available at: -R R N ev AT https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R2178 (August 18, 2025) ie IO w 2. European Commission (EC). 2021. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139. Available at: N ed A L S https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R2139 (August 18, 2025) Pr CIE o 3. European Commission (EC). 2023. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772 (ESRS). Av-ce N ed ailable at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202302772 (August TIF ing IC C 18, 2025) ok FE tober 2003 establishing a system for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission allowance trading within the R : S s Bo O 4. European Union (EU). 2003. Directive 2003/87/EC of the EU Parliament and of the Council of 13 Oc-N IN T'S A 5. European Union (EU). 2013. Directive 2013/34/EU. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-A B B O-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013L0034 (August 18, 2025) LE U D T P 6. European Union (EU). 2014. Directive 2014/95/EU of the EU Parliament and of the Council of 22 EV ST CE I -content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02003L0087-20240301 (August 18, 2025) A U EN EU and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (ETS). Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- EL EO October 2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial and diversity OP PL E 2 information by certain large undertakings and groups (NFRD). Available at: https://eur-lex.europa. M EN eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014L0095 (August 18, 2025) 02 T 4 7. European Union (EU). 2019. Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of the EU Parliament and of the Council of –2 02 27 November 2019 on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (SFDR). Avai- 5 lable at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R2088 (August 18, 2025) 8. European Union (EU). 2020. Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the EU Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2020 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment, and amen- ding Regulation (EU) 2019/2088. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/ PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020R0852 (August 18, 2025) 9. European Union (EU). 2022. Directive 2022/2464 on Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD). Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022L2464 (Au- gust 18, 2025) 10. European Union (EU). 2023. Regulation (EU) 2023/956 of the EU Parliament and the Council of 10 May 2023 establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). Available at: https://eur- -lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0956 (August 18, 2025) 11. Financial Stability Board (FSB). 2015. Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Available at: https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/ (August 18, 2025) 12. United Nations (UN). 2000. United Nations Global Compact’s Ten Principles. Available at: https:// unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/mission/principles (August 18, 2025) 13. United Nations (UN). 2015a. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Available at: https://sdgs. un.org (August 18, 2025) 14. United Nations (UN). 2015b. United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (DSGs). Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals (August 18, 2025) 15. Talum d. d. 2024. Sustainable development report of Group Talum for 2023. Available at: https:// www.talum.si/pdf/trajnost/PORO%C4%8CILO%20O%20TRAJNOSTNEM%20RAZVOJU%20 2023%20slo%20z%20linki_WEB.pdf (August 18, 2025) AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY Marko Homšak is an assistant professor at Alma Mater Europaea University, specializing in ecoreme-diation and sustainable development. His work is particularly focused on advising large, and SMEs on sustainability reporting in compliance with EU legislation, related standards, and taxonomy. 94 Published professional conference contribution Pe INTE 1.09 Objavljeni strokovni prispevek na konferenci er-R RN evAT ieIO THE IMPACT OF EU REGULATIONS ON w N edAL S Pr o STAKEHOLDER ROLES IN BALTIC FOOD SYSTEMSCIE ceN edTIF ingIC C Daugavpils University, Latvia ok FER : S Ekaterina Silinkina, PhD Candidate s Bo ON ABSTRACT IN T'S A A BB The food systems of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are increasingly influenced by European Union O LEU D (EU) regulations, which set frameworks for food safety, sustainability, and fair market practic- ST CE I A U EN their impact on stakeholders in the Baltic food systems remains under-explored. This study in- PLE 2 M vestigates the integration of stakeholders in the implementation of EU sustainability policies EN02 T4 within Baltic food systems, emphasising the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–27. Through es. While these regulations aim to promote uniformity and sustainability across member states, EO EL OP EV T P –2 the analysis of EU and national strategic documents and stakeholder representation data, the re- 02 search highlights the roles of diverse actors, including policymakers, farmers, organisations, and 5 consumers. Results reveal variations in stakeholder engagement across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, emphasising challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainability goals. By identify-ing gaps in multi-level governance, the study offers recommendations for effective stakeholder collaboration and outlines directions for future research. Keywords: Baltic food systems, Common Agricultural Policy, food policy, sustainability labelling, agricultural policies, rural development, policy implementation 95 Pe 1 INTRODUCTION IN TE er-R R The Baltic region comprising Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania presents a distinct and evolving land-N ev AT scape for food systems management. As part of the European Union, the Baltic states operate within ie IO w frameworks such as the CAP, the European Green Deal, and the Farm to Fork Strategy. Their agricul-N ed A L S tural sectors, characterised by smallholder farming and regional specialisation, play a critical role in Pr both local economies and cross-border supply chains. o CIE ce N ed There are several approaches to understanding the implementation of European regulations in the TIF ing IC C food systems: Stakeholder Theory, Institutional Theory, and Regulatory Compliance Frameworks U EN processes to ensure inclusive and sustainable policy implementation, particularly in complex mul-CE I ST A ti-level governance systems like those in the Baltic region. Institutional Theory examines the influ-IN T'S A ence of formal and informal rules, norms, and practices on stakeholders’ behaviour. In the context A B B O ok FER Stakeholder Theory emphasises the importance of involving all stakeholders in decision-making : S s Bo O (Fernando and Lawrence 2014, 152; Prager and Freese 2009). N LE of EU food policy, it helps to understand how local institutions in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania align U D T P with or adapt to EU regulations. Regulatory Compliance Frameworks refers to the systems and pro- EV EO cesses that organisations use to ensure they meet legal, environmental, and policy standards. EL OP PL E 2 M 1.1 Strategic Policies EN 02 T 4 –2 A significant development shaping the region’s food systems is the adoption of the new CAP 2023– 02 27, which came into force on January 1, 2023. This framework is a cornerstone of EU agricultural re- 5 form, aiming to align food systems with the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the Biodiversity Strategy. On September 6, 2022, the European Commission implemented Regulation (EU) 2022/1475, introducing a unified system for monitoring and evaluating CAP Strategic Plans. This regulatory effort ensures harmonised data collection across the EU. Each Baltic state has developed a unique CAP Strategic Plan tailored to its specific agricultural and rural development needs. Lithuania’s plan emphasises the expansion of organic farming, with a goal to increase organic agricultural land to 20% by 2030, while integrating renewable energy initi-atives across the farming sector. Latvia focuses on strengthening its small and medium-sized farms by providing targeted subsidies and fostering innovation in agricultural practices. Estonia prioritis-es digitalisation and sustainability, leveraging advanced technologies to improve productivity and supply chain transparency while reducing environmental impacts . The Baltic states as a region have demonstrated collaborative governance approaches to EU food policy implementation, especially through multi-stakeholder engagement platforms. The Bal-tic countries are making progress in harmonising food sustainability goals with EU policies. Baltic countries share common food system challenges such as sustainable production, food security, and rural development and are increasingly working together to address these issues (Liva and Zvir-bule 2024). However, the authors caution that while regional cooperation has proven effective, the challenge remains in maintaining this cooperation long-term and ensuring the representation of all relevant stakeholders (OECD 2003, 156). 1.2 Gaps and Limitations The gaps in understanding the long-term impacts of these policies and the challenges of maintain-ing multi-stakeholder collaboration include the limited exploration of the role of large agribusi-nesses in shaping food system policies, and insufficient research on the engagement of small-scale farmers, particularly in rural areas, in policy implementation (El Benni et al. 2023). There is a lack of studies examining the long-term impacts of EU food policies on stakeholder dynamics and sustaina-bility outcomes. Cross-border cooperation between the Baltic States, while acknowledged, has not been fully explored in terms of the barriers to effective collaboration, such as differing national pri-orities and economic disparities. The research focus on how these stakeholders, including farmers, local authorities, and environ-mental groups, collaborate to meet EU sustainability objectives. 96 the region. er-R RN evAT This study has several limitations. The reliance on secondary data limits the ability to capture re- ieIO gagement, and provide recommendations for improving the implementation of EU food policies in Pe INTE It also assess the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder governance frameworks, identify gaps in en- al-time stakeholder perspectives and on-the-ground challenges. Variations in data availability w N edAL S across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania may have influenced the depth of analysis for certain indicators. PrCIE o The study primarily focuses on established CAP strategies and may not fully account for evolving ceN ed policy dynamics or innovations introduced after 2023.TIF ingIC C 2 METHODOLOGY s Bo ON okFER : SEN This research adopts a qualitative research paradigm to explore the roles of stakeholders in the im- UCE I ST plementation of EU agricultural policies, specifically the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), within A INT'S A the food systems of the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). The study relies on secondary A BB data analysis of key policy documents, national strategic plans, and relevant case studies to examine O LEU D stakeholder involvement and the impact of EU regulations. Data was gathered through document T P EV analysis. The study relies on an in-depth analysis of key policy documents, including EU regulations, EO EL OPPL CAP Strategic Plans for each Baltic state, and national agricultural policies. The analysis focuses on E 2 M identifying the roles and responsibilities assigned to stakeholders in policy. Stakeholder Mapping EN02 T4 involves identifying and categorising key actors within the food systems of each Baltic state (At-–2 kočiūnienė et al. 2022). Comparative Analysis examines similarities and differences in stakeholder 025 engagement, financing and policy implementation across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. By com - paring these national approaches, the research aims to identify patterns of effective governance, shared obstacles, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. The research adheres to ethical standards by exclusively using publicly available data and ensuring proper attribution to all sources. No confidential or sensitive data will be used, and the analysis respects the intellectual property rights of cited materials. 3 RESULTS The CAP 2023-2027 has been instrumental in shaping the agricultural and sustainability efforts within the Baltic States. Its implementation reflects both the shared goals and the unique priorities of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. 3.1 Financial Allocations Across the Baltic States Latvia has been allocated €2.5 billion, with a significant portion directed toward direct payments and rural development The funding distribution includes €1.7 billion for direct payments, €791 mil-lion for rural development measures, and €10 million for market support measure (European Com-mission 2022). Lithuania’s CAP Strategic Plan has a total budget of €4.2 billion for the same period. Approximately €3 billion is allocated for income support, with a focus on fair incomes for farmers. Additionally, more than 4,600 young farmers will be supported to set up and receive additional aid, Estonia’s CAP Strategic Plan has a budget of €1.6 billion for 2023–2027. Of this, €456 million is dedicated to achieving environmental and climate goals, and €340 million is allocated for rural development. This table provides a clear overview of each country’s CAP allocation and funding dis-tribution during the 2023-2027 period. 97 er-R RN evAT Category Estonia Latvia Lithuania ie IO Pe IN nia, Latvia, and Lithuania TE Table 1: Comparative Distribution of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027 Funds in Esto- w Total CAP Budget N €1.4 billion €2.5 billion €3.9 billion ed A (2023–2027) L S Pr CIE o Direct Payments €1 billion (71.4%) €1.7 billion (68%) €2.2 billion (56%) ce N ed TIF €279.4 million (27.7% of €438.1 million (25.6% of €753.1 million (25% of direct Eco-Scheme Budget ing IC C direct payments) direct payments) payments) U EN €15 million for young for young farmer support to generational renewal CE I Focus on Young Farmers farmer installation and rural ST (5.6% of rural development (7.8% of rural development A business startups IN T'S A budget) budget) A B B O ok FER €41.9 million allocated €72.8 million dedicated : S s Bo ON Rural Development €0.6 billion (42.8%) €0.8 billion (32%) €1.7 billion (44%) LE 23.27% of UAA under organic 34.82% of UAA under 12.84% of UAA under organic U D Biodiversity Commitments reduced pesticide use com-T P farming farming EV mitments EO EL OP PL 79.2% of UAA committed to 38.48% of UAA committed to 28.21% of UAA committed to E 2 Climate Change Mitigation M carbon storage carbon storage carbon storage EN 02 T 4 Modernization and –2 6.17% of farms modernized 16.36% of farms modernized 1.27% of farms modernized Digitalization 02 5 LEADER Coverage (Local 95.95% of rural population 100% of rural population 100% of rural population Development) Rural Job Creation ported by CAP projects 1,249 new rural jobs sup- 1,739 new rural jobs sup- 4,680 new rural jobs sup-ported ported €170.8 million for environ- €213.7 million for sustain- €362.5 million for environ- Environmental Investment mental and climate-related able investments (33% of mental investments (39% of investments rural development) rural development) (Source: Author’s compilation based on European Commission (2023)) In recent years, a mandatory component of every strategic plan has been a strong focus on digital-isation, aimed at simplifying and accelerating processes of change and development. Digital inno-vations, such as precision farming tools, IoT systems, and drones, are now transforming agriculture in the Baltic States (Critelli et al. 2023). Latvia has 16.36% of farms expected to adopt digital farming technologies by 2025. Lithuania excels in integrating smart-village strategies into its rural devel-opment plans, which aim to enhance connectivity, support IoT-based farming solutions, and create sustainable rural economies. Estonia leverages its robust digital infrastructure to advance precision farming and improve supply chain transparency. The number of organisations specialising in this field is steadily growing. A prime example of poli-cy implementation can be seen in Estonian companies like Paul-Tech, which specialise in precision farming technologies (Invest in Estonia 2023). While their primary focus is on soil monitoring, the integration of drone technology complements these precision tools by providing aerial insights into crop health and field conditions, enhancing productivity and sustainability. 3.2 Stakeholders Engagement Each stakeholder group contributes uniquely to implementing policy objectives, fostering sustaina-ble development, and addressing specific regional challenges. Mutual stakeholders in the Baltic re-gion include government institutions, farmer organisations, environmental NGOs, academic and re-search institutions, civil society organisations, private sector entities, EU institutions, and consumers. Government institutions, such as Ministries of Agriculture in each Baltic state lead CAP implementa-tion by drafting national strategic plans, monitoring progress, and allocating funding. For example, in 2023, Latvia allocated €1.3 billion for CAP projects, with 40% dedicated to eco-schemes and en-vironmental sustainability programs. Local municipalities also play a critical role, distributing rural development funds to small and medium-sized farmers while addressing region-specific needs. 98 payment procedures. Funding support varies, but the Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service re- w N edA portedly secured €25 million for capacity-building programs. L S PrCIE o Environmental NGOs, like the Estonian Fund for Nature and the Lithuanian Green Policy Institute en- ceN ed sure that CAP projects align with biodiversity and sustainability goals. These organisations actively TIF ingIC C monitor the environmental outcomes of CAP projects. For example, Latvian environmental groups s BoO collaborated on a €5 million project to restore wetlands in 2023, contributing to climate change N okFE mitigation efforts.R : SEN Academic and research institutions in the Baltic region contribute through data-driven analysis and critical support in navigating CAP funding mechanisms. These bodies have organised over 150 work- er-R RN evAT shops in 2023, helping farmers understand eco-schemes, renewable energy initiatives, and direct ieIO Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, represent agricultural stakeholders’ interests and provide Pe INTE Farmer organisations and cooperatives, such as the Latvian Farmers’ Federation and the Estonian already influenced policy adjustments. The Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry AB BO LEU DT P (LAMMC) focuses on developing innovative, research-based products and technologies to enhance EVEO agricultural practices. EL OP stakeholder capacity building. The Estonian University of Life Sciences, for instance, led a €2 million AIN T'S A EU-funded project in 2023 to assess digital agriculture’s role in achieving CAP objectives, which has STU CE I Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the Baltic States play a pivotal role in promoting social inclu- PLE 2 M EN02 sion, advocating for marginalised groups, and identifying systemic barriers within the agricultural T4–2 sector. In Estonia, CSOs have access to various foreign funding opportunities, including the European 02 Commission’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values program, and the Active Citizens Fund, supported 5 by the European Economic Area and Norway. the Estonian Organic Farming Foundation (EOFF) has been instrumental in promoting sustainable agricultural practices among smallholder farmers. In Latvia, it is the Latvian Rural Forum that focuses on empowering rural communities by facilitating access to CAP funds. Agribusinesses and supply chain actors contribute to CAP objectives by investing in advanced tech-nologies and promoting sustainable practices. For example, a Latvian agribusiness firm invested €10 million in digital supply chain technologies in 2023, aligning with the CAP priority of improving transparency and efficiency. Initiatives like the Agrifood Forum 2024 aim to expand digital infra-structure in rural areas, build capacity, and encourage micro-entrepreneurship within the agrifood value chain. The European Commission that approved the CAP Strategic Plans of Estonia and Latvia, European Committee of the Regions that consist of local and regional representatives, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, who ensures that the interests of their regions are represented in EU deci-sion-making processes. 4 DISCUSSION EU food policies, particularly the CAP, have long-term implications for stakeholder dynamics and sustainability. The emphasis on large-scale production has led to increased consolidation of farms, potentially sidelining smallholders. This trend raises concerns about the sustainability of rural com-munities and environmental health (Röder et al. 2024). Recent policy shifts aim to address these issues by promoting eco-schemes and sustainable practices. The CAP includes measures aimed at supporting small farms, but the effectiveness of these measures varies. Critics argue that the CAP’s subsidy structure tends to favour larger farms, as payments are often linked to the amount of land owned, leading to a concentration of benefits among large agribusinesses. Their substantial re-sources and influence enable them to lobby effectively for favourable terms, often resulting in policy frameworks that disproportionately benefit large-scale operations. In this context, it is necessary to clarify the terms of adopted plans in each country, which are permitted in response to the unpredict-ability of weather conditions and economic uncertainty. For example, Latvia approved amendments to simplify farmer registration, revise conditions of good agricultural and environmental standards, and expand opportunities to receive eco-scheme support, among other changes. 99 w N Additionally, consumer advocacy groups in the region have been active in raising awareness about ed A L S Pr food quality and safety standards, influencing policy discussions related to CAP. Their engagement CIE o ensures that consumer interests are considered in the formulation and implementation of agricul-ce N ed tural policies. TIF ing IC C The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has raised concerns about the alignment of the European Un-s Bo O N ion’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with the environmental and climate objectives outlined in ok FE R the EU Green Deal. In their special report, the ECA concluded that while the CAP Strategic Plans for : S EN U er-R R hinder meaningful engagement. Studies have shown that consumer preferences in the Baltic States N ev AT are shifting towards sustainably produced and locally sourced food products (Rocchi et al. 2022). ie IO Pe IN rect participation mechanisms and varying levels of consumer awareness about CAP’s impact can TE Challenges remain in effectively integrating consumer perspectives into CAP processes. Limited di-STA CE I 2023-2027 are greener than in previous periods, they do not fully match the EU’s ambitions for cli- IN T'S A mate and environmental sustainability (European Court of Auditors 2024). The ECA recommends D T P CAP monitoring framework for climate and environmental outcomes. EV EO EL OP PL E 2 M 5 CONCLUSION B BO CAP’s contribution to the Green Deal’s environmental and climate targets, and strengthen the future LE U A that the European Commission promote exchanges of good practices in eco-schemes, estimate the EN 02 T4 The study confirms that CAP 2023–2027 has a transformative impact on the Baltic States, fostering sus-–2 02 tainable agricultural practices and enhancing stakeholder collaboration. The alignment of national 5 strategies with EU sustainability objectives, such as the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy, demonstrates the region’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges, promoting rural development, and ensuring food security. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, in-cluding regional disparities in resource allocation, uneven adoption of digital technologies, and gaps in stakeholder engagement, particularly for small-scale farmers and marginalised groups. To fully realise the potential of CAP, a multifaceted approach is required. Integrating advanced digital technologies such as IoT, drones, and artificial intelligence can accelerate innovation and increase productivity across the agricultural sector. Promoting inclusivity by tailoring support mechanisms to the needs of smallholders and rural communities will ensure that benefits are equitably distributed. Strengthening governance frameworks, including better monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for Green Deal targets, will enhance transparency and accountability in CAP implementation. Collaborative initiatives, such as knowledge-sharing platforms and joint investments in sustainable infrastructure, can help overcome shared challenges while reinforcing the region’s resilience in the face of global economic and environmental uncertainties. Future research should prioritise examining the long-term impacts of CAP on stakeholder dynamics and sustainability outcomes. Additionally, exploring innovative policy tools and emerging trends, such as the integration of artificial intelligence and precision farming techniques, can provide in-sights to further optimise agricultural practices. By addressing these areas, the Baltic States can strengthen their leadership in sustainable agriculture, setting an example for other EU member states and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable global food system. 100 REFERENCES Pe INTE 1. Atkočiūnienė, Vilma, Gintarė Vaznonienė, and Ilona Kiaušienė. 2022. The Role and Functions of er -RRN Stakeholders in the Development of Local Food Systems: Case of Lithuania. European Countryside evAT ie 14 (3): 511–539. https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2022-0026.IO wN edA 2. Critelli, Lt. Col. Jamie A., Maj. Gustavo F. Ferreira, Bill Erysian, and Lynn Williams. 2023. NATO’s Most L S Pr Vulnerable Flank, but Not for the Reasons We Think. Military Review. https://www.armyupress. oCIE ceN army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/July-August-2024/NATOs-Flank/ edTIF 3. El Benni, Nadja, Christian Grovermann, and Robert Finger. 2023. Towards More Evidence-Based ingIC C 5. European Commission. 2023. Common Agricultural Policy 2023-27 Strategic Plans. Accessed Janu- : S EN UCE I ST A INT'S A ary 15, 2025. https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-my-country. A BB 6. European Court of Auditors. 2024. Special Report on the CAP and Green Deal Alignment. Luxem- 4. European Commission. 2022. Regulation (EU) 2022/1475 of 6 September 2022 on Monitoring and ok FER Evaluating CAP Strategic Plans. Official Journal of the European Union, L 234: 1-15. Agricultural and Food Policies. Q Open 3 (3): qoad003. https://doi.org/10.1093/qopen/qoad003. s Bo ON 7. Fernando, Susith, and Stewart Lawrence. 2014. A Theoretical Framework for CSR Practices: In-bourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Accessed January 11, 2025. https://www.eca. LE OU DT P EV europa.eu/en/publications/SR-2024-20.EO EL OPPLE 2 M tegrating Legitimacy Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and Institutional Theory. Journal of Theoretical EN02 T4 Accounting Research 10(1): 149-178.–202 8. Invest in Estonia. 2023. Estonian Precision Agriculture Startup Paul-Tech Raises €1.4M. Last modi -5 fied September 14, 2023. Accessed January 10, 2025. https://paul-tech.com/estonian-precisio - n-agriculture-startup-paul-tech-raises-e1-4m-to-equip-farmers-with-real-time-soil-insights/. 9. Liva, Diana, and Andra Zvirbule. 2024. Transitioning towards sustainable agriculture in the Baltic countries – Strategic and regulatory framework assessment. Proceedings of the 2024 Internatio- nal Conference “Economic Science for Rural Development” 58: 20–31. https://doi.org/10.22616/ ESRD.2024.58.002. 10. OECD. 2003. Agricultural and Rural Development Policies in the Baltic Countries: Lithuania, Lat- via, Estonia. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264104297-en. 11. Prager, Katrin, and Jan Freese. 2009. Stakeholder involvement in agri-environmental policy ma- king – Learning from a local- and a state-level approach in Germany. Journal of Environmental Management 90(2): 1154–1167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.05.005. 12. Rocchi, Lucia, Anastasija Novikova, and Bernardas Vaznonis. 2022. Assessing Consumer Preferen- ces and Willingness to Pay for Agricultural Landscape Attributes in Lithuania. Land 11(10): 1620. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101620. 13. Röder, Norbert, Christine Krämer, Regina Grajewski, Sebastian Lakner, and Alan Matthews. 2024. What is the environmental potential of the post-2022 common agricultural policy? Land Use Po- licy 144(C): 107219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107219. 101 w N edAL S Pr HEMP AS A SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIAL: o CIE ce N REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT AND ENHANCING ed TIF ing IC C CARBON SEQUESTRATION s Bo O N FE ok R Tanja Bagar, PhD : S EN U er-R RN evAT ieIO Pe IN Published scientific conference contribution TE 1.08 Objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci ST CE I Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia A ICANNA Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia IN T'S A A B B Marko Šetinc, PhD O LE U D Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia T P EV ICANNA Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia EO EL OP PL E 2 Silvija Zeman, PhD M EN Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia 02 T 4 The Međimurje university of applied sciences in Čakovec, Croatia –2 02 5 ABSTRACT The construction industry remains one of the leading contributors to global carbon emissions and largest generator of solid waste worldwide, with traditional materials such as concrete and steel imposing significant environmental costs. In the pursuit of sustainable alternatives, industrial hemp has emerged as a promising bio-based building material. This review synthesizes current research on hemp-based construction products, particularly hempcrete, and evaluates their po-tential to reduce the carbon footprint. Hemp’s rapid growth, low-input cultivation, and ability to sequester atmospheric CO₂ during its life cycle position it as both a renewable resource and a pas-sive carbon sink. Furthermore, materials such as hempcrete not only store carbon within building envelopes but also offer advantageous thermal, hygroscopic, and fire-resistant properties, con-tributing to long-term energy efficiency. Life cycle assessments consistently demonstrate that hemp-based materials can achieve net carbon negativity, especially when integrated with lime binders that carbonate over time. Despite these benefits, barriers such as regulatory limitations, scalability issues, and cost competitiveness remain challenges to widespread adoption. This pa-per critically reviews existing literature, and material performance data to assess the viability of hemp in sustainable construction and outlines pathways for its integration into mainstream building practices. The findings underscore hemp’s potential role in advancing low-carbon, re-generative architecture. Keywords: carbon footprint, hempcrete, carbon sequestration, sustainable building 102 1 INTRODUCTION Pe INTE The building and construction sector is a significant contributor to global climate change and envi - er -RRN ronmental degradation. According to the European Commission, construction activities are respon- evAT ieIO sible for approximately 40 percent of total energy consumption and generate more than 50 percent wN edA of total waste within the European Union (European Commission, 2025). Furthermore, the sector L S Pr accounts for nearly 40 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, primarily due to the high oCIE ceN embodied carbon in traditional materials such as concrete, steel, and brick (United nations envi- edTIF ronmental programme, 2022). As the urgency to decarbonize the built environment grows, there ingIC C is increasing interest in bio-based and regenerative materials that can reduce both operational and s BoON embodied emissions. okFER Among the emerging materials, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has garnered significant atten - : SEN UCE I tion for its potential to contribute to low-carbon construction. Hemp is a fast-growing, high-biomass ST A crop that requires minimal pesticides, enriches soil health, and sequesters substantial quantities of INT'S A A CO₂ during its cultivation (Wei and Memari, 2025). When processed into construction-grade prod - BBO LEU ucts such as hempcrete, fiber insulation, and hemp-lime composites, it offers a unique opportunity DT P EV to store carbon within the built environment, while improving thermal performance and reducing EO EL OP resource dependency.PLE 2 M The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has strongly advocated for the recognition of hemp EN02 T4 as a strategic resource in the transition toward climate-neutral construction. In its 2023 position pa-–2 per, EIHA estimates that industrial hemp can sequester between 9 and 15 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare 025 within a 4-5 month growing season (EIHA, 2023). When used in construction, the carbon storage is extended beyond the plant’s lifecycle through incorporation in walls and insulation, particularly in hempcrete, which continues to absorb CO₂ as the lime binder carbonates over time (Pretot et al., 2014). This closed-loop carbon capture process positions hemp-based materials as one of the few viable options for carbon-negative building systems. Numerous life cycle assessment (LCA) studies support these claims. Arrigoni et al. demonstrated that hemp-lime mixtures can store between −1.6 and −79 kg CO₂ equivalent per square meter, depend-ing on binder ratios and wall thickness (Arrigoni et al., 2017). Similarly, a recent review by Steyn et al. consolidates two decades of data, confirming that properly designed hempcrete systems out-perform traditional insulation in both thermal performance and environmental impact (Steyn et al., 2025). In addition to carbon benefits, hemp-based materials contribute to indoor air quality, regu-late humidity, and offer fire resistance—traits that enhance their appeal for sustainable construction (Ip & Miller, 2012). Despite its environmental and performance advantages, the adoption of hemp-based building sys-tems remains limited due to regulatory barriers, inconsistent standards, and a lack of familiarity among architects and builders. The inclusion of hempcrete in the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) represents a significant milestone toward wider acceptance, but further integration into national codes and mainstream supply chains is needed (Arrigoni et al, 2017). This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the current state of knowledge on hemp as a sustainable building material. It evaluates the environmental, thermal, and structural perfor-mance of hemp-based products; reviews the carbon sequestration potential and life-cycle impacts; and explores challenges to market adoption. In doing so, it seeks to establish hemp’s role in reshap-ing the material ecology of the built environment. 2 PURPOSE AND GOALS The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the potential of industrial hemp as a sustainable and carbon-negative building material, with particular emphasis on its carbon sequestration capac-ity, life cycle performance, and role in reducing the environmental impact of the construction indus-try. In light of increasing regulatory pressure to decarbonize the built environment and reduce con-struction waste, the review seeks to consolidate the existing body of knowledge on hemp-based building materials and assess their technical, environmental, and practical viability. 103 Pe 3 METHODS IN TE er-R R This paper adopts a qualitative systematic review methodology grounded in an interpretivist par-N ev AT adigm, aiming to synthesize and interpret existing knowledge on hemp as a sustainable building ie IO w material. The review included peer-reviewed academic articles, policy papers, technical reports, N ed A L S and industry white papers published between 2010 and 2025. Data was collected through a sys- Pr tematic search of academic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google o CIE ce N Scholar. Industry documents were retrieved from the official websites of EIHA, the European Com-ed TIF mission, and relevant environmental and engineering bodies. The search used combinations of key-ing IC C words such as “hempcrete”, “industrial hemp in construction”, “carbon sequestration building ma-s Bo O N terials”, “bio-based insulation”, and “life cycle assessment of hemp”. Themes were then synthesized ok FE R : S across documents to identify consensus, divergence, and gaps in knowledge. No software was used EN U CE I for automated text analysis to preserve interpretive depth. ST A IN T'S A A B B O 4 RESULTS LE U D T P EV This review incorporates findings from 15 peer-reviewed academic sources, including original re-EO EL OP search and reviews (Table 1), and 5 policy and technical documents (Table 2) published by leading PL E 2 M institutions such as the European Commission, UNCTAD, and the European Industrial Hemp Associa-EN 02 tion (EIHA). Together, these sources provide a multidimensional understanding of hempcrete as a vi-T 4 –2 able material for sustainable construction, with a focus on carbon reduction, material performance, 02 and strategic implementation. 5 Table 1: List of peer-reviewed academic sources included in this review Author(s) Year Title Source Type Journal Focus Area Lupu et al. 2022 Hempcrete—Modern solutions for green Original IOP Conf. Ser. Green building solutions with buildings Research Mater. Sci. Eng. hempcrete Zuabi & Memari 2021 Review of Hempcrete as a Sustainable Building Review Int. J. Archit. Eng. General review on hempcrete Material Constr. sustainability Jami, Karade & 2019 A review of the properties of hemp concrete Review J. Clean. Prod. Mechanical and environ- Singh for green building applications mental properties Asghari & 2024 State of the art review of attributes and Review Biomass Mechanical performance Memari mechanical properties of hempcrete and standards Yadav & Saini 2022 Opportunities & challenges of hempcrete as a Review Mater. Today Adoption barriers and building material Proc. benefits Heidari et al. 2019 Regionalised life cycle assessment of bio- Original Materials LCA of hemp shiv with based materials in construction Research coatings Sáez-Pérez 2022 Improving the Behaviour of Green Concrete Original Minerals Experimental use of hemp et al. Geopolymers Using Hemp Research in green concrete Ip & Miller 2012 Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of hemp- Original Resour. Conserv. LCA of hemp-lime systems lime wall constructions in the UK Research Recycl. Seng, Magniont 2019 Characterization of a precast hemp concrete. Original J. Build. Eng. Thermal and physical & Lorente Part I: Physical and thermal properties Research performance Walker, Pavia & 2014 Mechanical properties and durability of Original Constr. Build. Durability testing of Mitchell hemp-lime concretes Research Mater. hempcrete Arosio et al. 2022 Life Cycle Assessment of a Wall Made of Original Bio-Based Prefabricated hempcrete Prefabricated Hempcrete Blocks Research Building LCA Materials Arrigoni et al. 2017 Life cycle assessment of natural building Original J. Clean. Prod. Carbonation and environ- materials Research mental impact Pretot, Collet & 2014 Life cycle assessment of a hemp concrete wall Original Build. Environ. Thickness and coating Garnier Research impact on LCA Sinka et al. 2018 Comparative life cycle assessment of magne- Original Resour. Conserv. Binder alternatives in sium binders for hemp concrete Research Recycl. hempcrete Mahmood, 2024 Hygrothermal and mechanical characteriza- Original Constr. Build. Hygrothermal and strength Kavgic & Noel tion of hemp-lime composites Research Mater. optimization 104 Table 2: Table 1: List of policy and technical documents Pe IN European Industrial Hemp Hemp – Agriculture and Rural EU Policy EU production trends, environmental AT ev Development Overview benefits in construction ieIO wN 2020 European Commission -R RN 2023 Author / Organization Year Title Document Type Focus Area TE er Association (EIHA) L S policy calls Hemp – a Real Green Deal Position Paper Circular bioeconomy, carbon negativity, ed A Pr CIE EIHA / Hemp Carbon Standard 2025 Industrial Hemp Building Material Methodology Regulatory compliance, smart building N ce o UNCTAD ing IC C 2023 UNCTAD Policy Brief No. 110 – Industrial UN Policy Brief Market scaling, global bio-based O Methodology Document integration ed TIF 4.1 Environmental and Carbon Performance : S EN UCE I ST A INT'S A A BBO Interreg Central Europe ok FE 2024 Hempcrete – Interreg Central Europe Technical Guide Performance properties and compliance R with building regulations Hemp material potential N s Bo A majority of reviewed scientific studies converge on the carbon-negative potential of hemp-based LE U DT P EV construction systems. LCA-focused research such as that by Arrigoni et al. (2017) and Pretot et al. EO EL (2014) demonstrate that hempcrete walls can sequester significant amounts of CO₂, with values up OPPLE 2 M to –79 kg CO₂e/m², especially when lime carbonation is considered. Similarly, Heidari et al. (2019) EN02 and Arosio et al. (2022) show that regionalized production and prefabrication can further optimize T4–2 hemp’s environmental profile.025 From a policy perspective, the European Commission (2023) and EIHA (2020, 2025) position hemp as a critical resource in achieving EU climate goals, with potential sequestration rates of 9–15 tonnes CO₂/ ha per season and wide compatibility with circular bioeconomy principles. These findings reinforce the viability of hemp as both a carbon sink and a low-impact material across various construction scales. 4.2 Thermal, Hygrothermal, and Mechanical Properties Several experimental studies confirm hempcrete’s favorable thermal insulation and moisture buffer-ing capabilities. Seng et al. (2019), Mahmood et al. (2024), and Walker et al. (2014) show that hemp-lime composites perform well under real-world thermal loads and indoor environmental conditions, with strong hygrothermal regulation. However, limitations persist in structural applications, as hemp-crete is inherently non-load-bearing and requires hybridization with timber or steel frames. These laboratory findings are supported by the Interreg Central Europe (2024) technical guide, which outlines performance benchmarks and design parameters for compliance with modern building codes. Combined, these sources affirm hempcrete’s readiness for mainstream application in insulation, wall infill, and retrofitting projects. 4.3 Life Cycle and Material Processing Strategies Lifecycle-oriented papers—including those by Ip & Miller (2012) and Sinka et al. (2018)—highlight hempcrete’s low embodied energy, durability, and potential for modular prefabrication. Techniques such as sol-gel treatment (Heidari et al., 2019) and binder substitutions with magnesium- or me-takaolin-based additives (Sáez-Pérez et al., 2022; Daher et al., 2023) suggest viable paths for im-proving mechanical properties and extending the material’s range of application. The EIHA/Hemp Carbon Standard (2025) methodology formalizes these innovations into a regulato-ry framework, presenting pathways for standardized carbon accounting and certification schemes for hemp-based products in construction. 4.4 Strategic Frameworks and Global Policy Alignment Recent policy briefs—such as UNCTAD’s 2023 brief on industrial hemp—underscore hemp’s emerg-ing role in global sustainable material markets, especially in the context of climate-aligned trade and green industrialization. This aligns with grassroots momentum, as highlighted in The Guardian (2024), which reported the successful inclusion of hempcrete in the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) in the United States. 105 er-R R low-carbon and circular construction goals worldwide, as summarized in Table 3. N ev AT ie IO Pe IN sus: hempcrete offers environmental, thermal, and regulatory benefits that can directly support TE The synergy between academic findings and policy frameworks demonstrates a maturing consen- w Table 3: Key findings of hempcrete as a building material N ed A L S Pr Focus Area Key Findings CIE o ce N Environmental Performance Hempcrete sequesters up to –79 kg CO₂e/m²; cultivation sequesters 9–15 t CO₂/ha. ed TIF ing IC C Thermal and Hygrothermal Behavior Excellent thermal insulation, moisture buffering, and indoor climate regulation. U EN Material Innovations Improved properties through additives (e.g., sol-gel, metakaolin, magnesium binders). CE I ST A Policy and Regulatory Frameworks Supported by EU, UNCTAD, and inclusion in 2024 IRC; growing global momentum. IN T'S A A Market Integration Growing commercial viability with guidance from EIHA and Interreg technical frameworks. B B O ok FE Life Cycle Impact Low embodied energy; favorable LCA performance with potential for prefabrication. R : S s Bo O Mechanical Properties Non-load-bearing; structural applications require hybrid systems. N LE U DT P EVEO EL OPPL 5 DISCUSSION E 2 M EN 02 The findings of this review confirm that hempcrete and other hemp-based building materials offer T 4 –2 significant environmental, thermal, and regulatory advantages over conventional materials, es-02 pecially in the context of climate-responsive construction. Through the integration of 15 academic 5 studies and five major policy documents, this review presents a coherent case for the mainstream- ing of hemp in building practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions and material waste. The car-bon sequestration potential of hempcrete is among its most compelling attributes. Both empirical LCA studies (e.g., Arrigoni et al. 2017; Pretot et al. 2014) and policy frameworks (e.g., EIHA 2020; European Commission 2023) indicate that hempcrete can achieve net-negative embodied carbon, a rare and valuable trait in the current construction landscape. These findings align closely with in-ternational climate targets such as those under the EU Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hemp’s carbon storage occurs at multiple points in the life cycle: during cultivation, material processing, and through ongoing carbonation of the lime binder post-installation. This multi-stage carbon capture sets hemp apart from conventional materials like concrete or fiberglass, whose production phases are typically energy-intensive and emission-heavy. Furthermore, hemp’s rapid growth cycle (3–4 months), low pesticide requirement, and phytoremediation potential rein-force its role as a regenerative resource, not merely a sustainable one. The consistent performance of hemp-lime composites in thermal insulation and moisture regu-lation has been widely validated across empirical studies (e.g., Seng et al. 2019; Mahmood et al. 2024; Walker et al. 2014). Hempcrete enables stable indoor temperatures and passive humidity control, reducing operational energy demands for heating and cooling. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for temperate, humid, and even Mediterranean climates, as highlighted in In-terreg Central Europe’s 2024 technical guide. However, hempcrete’s non-structural nature remains a technical limitation. Its relatively low compressive strength necessitates the use of additional structural framing, which may affect cost, carbon balance, and design flexibility. Despite this, inno-vations in material blending (e.g., metakaolin, sol-gel coatings, and magnesium-based binders) are actively extending its mechanical performance envelope. A key strength of this review lies in its triangulation of scientific findings with policy momentum. The inclusion of hempcrete in the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) demonstrates growing reg-ulatory recognition. Simultaneously, organizations such as EIHA and UNCTAD are pushing for hemp’s integration into national and international standards for carbon accounting, climate adaptation, and circular economy development. Nevertheless, market integration remains uneven, hindered by fragmentation in certification sys-tems, limited awareness among builders, and a lack of centralized performance databases. As the EIHA/Hemp Carbon Standard (2025) methodology outlines, the path forward involves aligning in-novation with standardization—establishing universally recognized metrics for carbon offsetting, mechanical benchmarks, and lifecycle claims. 106 regenerative properties in modern, high-performance buildings. er-R RN evAT ieIO able energy or digital design tools (e.g., 3D printing, parametric optimization) to fully leverage its Pe INTE Future research should also explore hybrid systems where hempcrete can be paired with renew- 6 CONCLUSION w N edAL S PrCIE This review highlights the strong potential of hempcrete as a sustainable building material capable o ceN of addressing both carbon emissions and material waste in the construction sector. Drawing from edTIF a wide body of academic and policy literature, it is evident that hempcrete offers net-negative em - ingIC C International Residential Code, signal growing regulatory acceptance. However, barriers remain— : S EN UCE I ST A including limited structural capacity, inconsistent standards, and market fragmentation. Overcom- INT'S A A ing these challenges will require continued research, updated building codes, and clearer lifecy- Its ability to sequester CO₂ during both cultivation and application positions hempcrete as a rare ok FER example of a regenerative material. Recent policy developments, such as its inclusion in the 2024 bodied carbon, excellent thermal performance, and aligns well with circular economy principles. s Bo ON cle-based certification. With proper support, hempcrete could play a significant role in transforming B BO LEU DT P EV the built environment toward climate resilience and sustainability.EO EL OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 107 Pe REFERENCES IN TE er 1. Arrigoni, Alessandro, Raffaella Pelosato, Federica Melià, Giulio Ruggieri, Silvia Sabbadini, and -R R N ev AT Giuliana Dotelli. 2017. Life Cycle Assessment of Natural Building Materials: The Role of Carbo-ie IO nation, Mixture Components and Transport in the Environmental Impacts of Hempcrete Blocks. w N ed A Journal of Cleaner Production 149: 1051–1061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.161. L S Pr 2. Arosio, Valeria, Camilla Moletti, and Giuliana Dotelli. 2022. Life Cycle Assessment of a Wall Made o CIE ce N of Prefabricated Hempcrete Blocks. In Bio-Based Building Materials, 436–442. Bäch: Trans Tech ed TIF Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4028/p-n1j58c. ing IC C ok FE formance Improved of a Lime and Hemp-Based Concrete Through the Addition of Metaka-R : S s Bo O 3. Daher, Souheil, Abdelkrim Benazzouk, Hafedh Ben Hamed, and Thierry Langlet. 2023. “Per-N IN T'S A 4. EIHA / Hemp Carbon Standard. 2025. Industrial Hemp Building Material Methodology. Hürth: A B B European Industrial Hemp Association. (https://hempcarbonstandard.org/wp-content/uplo-O LE U D T P ads/2025/04/Industrial-Hemp-Building-Material-Methodology-Consultation-Document.pdf). EV ST CE I fdmp.2023.027338. A U EN olin.” Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 19(6): 1091–1113. https://doi.org/10.32604/ EL EO 5. European Commission. 2023. Hemp – Agriculture and Rural Development. Brussels: European OP PL E 2 Commission. Available at: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/crop-productions-and- M -plant-based-products/hemp_en. EN 02 T 4 6. European Commission. 2025. Construction and Demolition Waste. Available at: https://ec.europa. –2 02 eu/environment/topics/waste-and-recycling/construction-and-demolition-waste_en. (Acces - 5 sed July 2025) 7. European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). 2020. Hemp – A Real Green Deal. Hürth: EIHA. Avai- lable at: https://eiha.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Hemp-a-real-green-deal_EN.pdf. 8. European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). 2023. Carbon Storage in Hemp and Wood: Raw Ma- terials for Construction Materials. Hürth: EIHA. 9. Heidari, Mohammad D., Mike Lawrence, Pierre Blanchet, and Benoît Amor. 2019. Regionalised Life Cycle Assessment of Bio-Based Materials in Construction; the Case of Hemp Shiv Treated with Sol-Gel Coatings. Materials 12(18): 2987. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12182987. 10. Interreg Central Europe. 2024. Hempcrete – Bio-Based, Low Carbon Construction. Brussels: Interreg CE Project H4H. Available at: https://www.interreg-central.eu/news/hempcrete. 11. Ip, Kenneth, and Andrew Miller. 2012. Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Hemp–Lime Wall Constructions in the UK. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 61: 1–9. 12. Mahmood, Omar, Miroslava Kavgic, and Martin Noel. 2024. Hygrothermal and Mechanical Cha- racterization of Novel Hemp-Lime Composites with Enhanced Consistency. Construction and Buil- ding Materials 450: 138720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.138720. 13. Pretot, Stéphane, Florence Collet, and Catherine Garnier. 2014. Life Cycle Assessment of a Hemp Concrete Wall: Impact of Thickness and Coating. Building and Environment 72: 223–231. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.11.010. 14. Sáez-Pérez, M. P., J. A. Durán-Suárez, and J. Castro-Gomes. 2022. Improving the Behaviour of Gre- en Concrete Geopolymers Using Different Hemp Preservation Conditions (Fresh and Wet). Mine- rals 12(12): 1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/min12121530. 15. Seng, B., C. Magniont, and S. Lorente. 2019. Characterization of a Precast Hemp Concrete. Part I: Physical and Thermal Properties. Journal of Building Engineering 24: 100540. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100540. 16. Steyn, W., et al. 2025. A Comprehensive Review of Hempcrete as a Sustainable Building Material. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions 10(1): 1–20. 17. The Guardian. 2024. It’s Almost Carbon-Negative: How Hemp Became a Surprise Building Ma- terial. The Guardian, February 15, 2024. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/envi- ronment/2024/feb/15/its-almost-carbon-negative-how-hemp-became-a-surprise-building- -material. 108 20. Walker, Richard, Stefano Pavia, and Ruth Mitchell. 2014. Mechanical Properties and Durabi-struction. Nairobi: UNEP. w N edAL S PrCIE o lity of Hemp-Lime Concretes. Construction and Building Materials 61: 340–348. https://doi. ceN ed org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.02.065.TIF ingIC C 21. Tong, Wei, and Ali M. Memari. 2025. State of the Art Review on Hempcrete as a Sustainable s BoO Substitute for Traditional Construction Materials for Home Building. Buildings 15(12): 1988. N okFE https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15121988.R : SEN U 19. United Nations Environment Programme. 2022. 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Con-unctad.org/system/files/official-document/presspb2023d4_en.pdf. er-R RN evAT ieIO 18. UNCTAD. 2023. Policy Brief No. 110 – Industrial Hemp: A Win-Win Crop for Climate, Biodiversity and Li-velihoods. Geneva: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Available at: https:// Pe INTE AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES ST CE I A INT'S A A BB Tanja Bagar, PhD, is an assistant professor at Alma Mater Europaea University, lecturing microbiolo-O LEU DT P gy, cannabinoid science and specializing in ecoremediation. Her work is particularly focused on the EVEO hemp plant, carbon storage and the role of microbes in human and environmental health. EL OPPLE 2 Marko Šetinc, PhD, is an assistant professor at Alma Mater Europaea University. His research focuses M EN on environmental economics, odour management, soft skills for career development, and the inte-02 T4 gration of art therapy into sustainability education.–202 Silvija Zeman, PhD, is an assistant professor at Alma Mater Europaea University and a full-time lec-5 turer at Međimurje Polytechnic in Čakovec. Her work focuses on soil contamination issues and meth - ods for detecting pollutants using analytical methods, as well as sustainable land management. 109 w N edAL S Pr REFINING THE QUALITY OF SOLID FUEL FROM o CIE ce N WASTE: INTERSECTIONS OF SEASONALITY, ed TIF ing IC C WEATHER, AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR s Bo O N FE ok R Marko Šetinc, PhD : S EN U er-R RN evAT ieIO Pe IN Published scientific conference contribution TE 1.08 Objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci ST CE I Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia A ICANNA Institute, Slovenia IN T'S A A B B Anja Grabar, MSc O LE U D Surovina Waste Management Company Ltd., Slovenia T P EV EO Silvija Zeman, PhD EL OP PL E 2 Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia M EN ICANNA Institute, Slovenia 02 T 4 The Međimurje university of applied sciences in Čakovec, Croatia –2 02 Tanja Bagar, PhD 5 Alma Mater Europaea University, Slovenia ICANNA Institute, Slovenia CEROP Ltd. – Public Waste Management Company, Slovenia ABSTRACT This article investigates the complex interplay between seasonal variation, weather conditions, and human behavior in shaping the quality of solid fuel derived from municipal waste. Using multi-year data from the CEROP Waste Management Center in Puconci, Slovenia—combined with meteorological records from a nearby station—we analyzed key fuel quality parameters: calo-rific value, moisture content, and chlorine concentration. Measurements were examined across different seasons to uncover patterns, correlations, and underlying causes of variation. The results indicate clear seasonal trends. Calorific value and chlorine content were consistently higher during the summer and early autumn months, likely due to the increased share of plastics and other high-energy materials in the waste stream. In contrast, the highest moisture levels were observed during winter, reflecting the influence of lower temperatures and ambient hu-midity on waste storage and drying. While precipitation did not directly correlate with any single parameter, it may contribute indirectly through its effect on ambient conditions. Notably, human activity emerged as a relevant factor—particularly in terms of seasonal consumption patterns and disposal behavior. These findings highlight the importance of integrating environmental, climatic, and behavioral dimensions into solid fuel quality management. To ensure consistent fuel quality and environ-mental performance, waste-to-energy systems must be designed with adaptive strategies that account for seasonal fluctuations and social dynamics. The study contributes to a deeper under-standing of the variability in waste-derived fuel and offers a foundation for more sustainable energy recovery solutions. Keywords: waste-derived solid fuel, seasonal variation, weather impact, fuel quality, human behavior, municipal waste management 110 1 INTRODUCTION Pe INTE Waste management stands among the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st cen- er -RRN tury. The ever-increasing volume of waste poses substantial risks to ecological balance and public evAT ieIO health. While towering landfills are visually disruptive, the more insidious threat lies in the re - wN edA lease of greenhouse gases—such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄)—which exacerbate L S Pr climate change and undermine efforts toward planetary sustainability (Lackner and Jospe 2017; oCIE ceN EPA 2017). Furthermore, waste disposal sites contribute to the contamination of air, soil, and wa- edTIF ter, with direct consequences for human health and biodiversity (Suzuki 2013; Forstnerič 2018; ingIC C Silva and Lopes 2007). s BoON Despite growing awareness, the EU still landfills a significant proportion of municipal solid waste, okFER contrary to the hierarchy defined in Directive 2008/98/EC (European Parliament and Council 2008; : SEN UCE I Eurostat 2016). Recent improvements in waste separation, particularly regarding packaging mate- ST A rials, have enhanced rates of recycling and material recovery (Marin 2018; Eurostat 2018a). How- INT'S A A ever, progress is uneven across regions, and illegal dumping or low-quality incineration remains a BBO LEU concern (Neuwahl et al. 2019). DT P EV In line with the waste hierarchy, landfilling is deemed the least favorable option, whereas waste EO EL OPPL prevention, reuse, and recycling take precedence. Energy recovery occupies a lower tier, but it re-E 2 M mains a vital solution for handling residual, non-recyclable waste fractions (European Commission EN02 T4 2017; Fundacio ENT 2015). The use of alternative fuels in cement production is one of the promising –2 energy recovery routes, as demonstrated by Kajic and Koprivc (2013) and Kara et al. (2008), who 025 emphasized the substitution potential of RDF for fossil fuels. Solid recovered fuel (SRF), as a refined alternative to traditional refuse-derived fuel (RDF), offers a pragmatic path forward. SRF is subject to stricter standards, ensuring lower emissions and more predictable combustion characteristics. Key quality parameters—such as calorific value, moisture content, and chlorine concentration—are tightly regulated and vary depending on end-user require-ments (Leblanc 2019; Rixson 2018; Nadziakiewicz 2019). Pomberger et al. (2013) underline the importance of pre-treatment and sorting for achieving consistent fuel quality, while Samec (2013) emphasizes the role of thermal treatment in integrated waste management. Waste-to-energy strategies, such as SRF production, also contribute to circular economy goals by utilizing residual fractions and reducing reliance on landfilling (ERFO n.d.; Eurostat 2019a). Moreo-ver, as noted by Hultman and Corvellec (2012), effective waste management depends not only on technological solutions but also on behavioral, economic, and political dynamics. This article investigates how environmental and social variables—specifically seasonality, weather conditions, and patterns of human activity—influence the quality of SRF. By unpacking these inter-connected dynamics, we aim to inform more adaptive and sustainable waste-to-energy practices that respond not only to technical requirements but also to real-world ecological and behavioral conditions. 2 PURPOSE AND GOALS The purpose of this study is to investigate how seasonal variations, weather conditions, and human behavioral patterns influence the quality of solid fuel derived from municipal waste. By analyzing calorific value, moisture content, and chlorine concentration over multiple years, the study aims to identify key environmental and social factors that affect fuel performance and emissions. The main goals are: - To evaluate the seasonal trends in solid fuel quality parameters.- To determine the relationship between meteorological data (temperature and precipitation) and fuel characteristics. - To assess the influence of human activity patterns on waste composition and fuel quality.- To provide insights for optimizing storage, processing, and combustion of solid fuel from waste, contributing to more sustainable energy recovery practices. 111 Pe 3 METHODS IN TE er-R R N 3.1 Data Collection Methods and Techniques ev AT ie IO w This study employs a secondary data analysis approach, relying on existing datasets provided by N ed A L S CEROP (Waste Management Center in Puconci). The data, originally gathered for quality control and Pr CIE o marketing of solid fuel derived from waste, offer a robust foundation for examining how fuel qual-ce N ity correlates with environmental and human variables. Given the diverse technical specifications ed TIF ing IC C of incineration systems, understanding these fuel properties is critical to minimizing emissions and ok FE The dataset was compiled and processed using Microsoft Excel. Incomplete records were system-R : S s Bo O ensuring efficient combustion (Rixson, 2018). N IN T'S A and statistical interpretation. All visual outputs, including graphs and trendlines, were generated A B B O using Excel. LE U D T P The solid recovered fuel (SRF) produced by CEROP—available in 30 mm or 50 mm granulations—is ST CE I for a single day, their mean values were calculated to streamline both graphical representation A U EN atically excluded to preserve analytical accuracy. When multiple measurements were available EV EO EL stored in a covered outdoor warehouse. Samples are collected from multiple points at the bottom OP PL E 2 or at least 10 cm below the surface of the fuel pile. These samples are then ground using a Retsch SM M EN 02 100 cutting mill, designed for processing soft, medium-hard, elastic, and fibrous materials. The mill T 4 uses interchangeable sieves with mesh sizes ranging from 0.25 to 2 mm to control particle fineness. –2 02 During processing, the material is cut by a high-speed rotor and collected in an external container 5 (Retsch 2020). 3.2 Instrumentation Laboratory analysis at CEROP Puconci utilizes the following equipment to evaluate SRF quality:- Retsch SM 100 cutting mill - IKA C200 bomb calorimeter (CEN/TS 15400:2006) - WTW pH/ION 340i ion-selective meter (EN 15408:2011) - KERN MLS-a moisture analyzer (EN 15414-3:2011) Sampling at the company CEROP d.o.o. is carried out in accordance with the sampling guidelines set out in the standard CEN/TS 15442:2006. For determining calorific value, approximately 1 gram of the sample is compressed into a pellet without prior drying. The IKA C200 bomb calorimeter ignites the pellet within an oxygen-rich vessel using a glow wire, and the resulting combustion energy is measured automatically by the instru-ment (IKA 2016). Chlorine content is measured using the WTW pH/ION 340i meter with an ion-selective electrode (ISE), which quantifies ion concentration directly in the sample (WTW 2003). Moisture content is determined through thermogravimetric analysis using the KERN MLS-a analyzer, which calculates water content by comparing the sample’s weight before and after controlled dry-ing (KERN 2015). All the instruments were calibrated by the manufacturer. 3.3 Data Processing Daily meteorological data—specifically average air temperature and 24-hour precipitation—were obtained from the publicly accessible archive of the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO). The cho-sen weather station, Murska Sobota-Rakičan, was selected due to its geographic proximity and cli-matological similarity to CEROP. Temperature data at 2 meters above ground (°C) and precipitation measured at 7:00 a.m. (mm) were processed in Excel alongside the SRF quality data (ARSO 2023). All complete datasets from 2015 to 2019 were included in the analysis. Records with missing or unusable data were omitted to maintain the reliability of statistical outputs. Specifically, 4 records from 2016, 8 from 2017, 41 from 2018, and 2 from 2019 were excluded. All 2015 data were deemed complete and retained in full. 112 urements to produce scatter plots with polynomial trendlines, facilitating the visual identification of er-R RN evAT seasonal or environmental patterns influencing SRF quality. ieIO cated, the average was used. Meteorological data were merged annually with fuel quality meas- Pe INTE Calorific values were converted from kJ/kg to MJ/kg for consistency. Where daily values were dupli- 4 RESULTS w N edAL S PrCIE o ceN ed 4.1 Calorific Value in Relation to Precipitation and Air TemperatureTIF ingIC C tinct seasonal pattern (figure 1). The highest calorific values were recorded during the spring and EN UCE I summer months, while a noticeable decline occurred in the colder part of the year. ST A INT'S A Average daily temperatures peaked in June (22.7°C), July (21.6°C), and August (21.8°C), while Janu- A BB ary exhibited the lowest average (−0.7°C). Precipitation followed a similar seasonal trend, with the daily air temperature and precipitation data from the Murska Sobota-Rakičan station, reveals a dis- ok FER : S The analysis of solid recovered fuel (SRF) produced by CEROP Puconci in 2015, in conjunction with s Bo ON highest values observed in summer, consistent with the continental climate typical of the region, LE OU DT P EV which features dry winters and frequent summer showers or storms (ARSO 2023).EO EL OPPLE 2 The trend continued in 2016, showing a similar pattern of declining calorific value in the second half M EN of the year (figure 2). However, data collection was discontinued after October 25, creating a gap in 02 T4 the annual dataset.–202 For 2017, measurements available from June 12 to December 28 demonstrated relatively stable 5 calorific values (figure 3), without major seasonal fluctuations—likely due to the shorter time span covered. In 2018 and 2019, the highest calorific values again coincided with warmer periods, particularly the summer months, reinforcing the positive correlation between temperature and energy potential of the SRF(figure 4 and 5). Elevated precipitation levels during the same period may also influence these trends, either through waste composition changes or storage conditions (Rixson 2018). Figure 1: Calorific value, chlorine content, moisture in RDF and humidity, daily precipitation totals, and average daily air temperatures in the year 2015 113 er-R RN evAT ieIO Pe IN and average daily air temperatures in the year 2016 TE Figure 2: Calorific value, chlorine content, moisture in RDF and humidity, daily precipitation totals, w N edAL S PrCIE o ceN edTIF ingIC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 Figure 3: Calorific value, chlorine content, moisture in RDF and humidity, daily precipitation totals, and average daily air temperatures in the year 2017 114 and average daily air temperatures in the year 2018 Pe INTE Figure 4: Calorific value, chlorine content, moisture in RDF and humidity, daily precipitation totals, er-R RN evAT ieIO w N edAL S PrCIE o ceN edTIF ingIC C ok FER : S s Bo ON IN T'S A A BBO LEU DT P EV ST CE I A U EN EL EO OPPLE 2 M EN02 T4–2025 Figure 5: Calorific value, chlorine content, moisture in RDF and humidity, daily precipitation totals, and average daily air temperatures in the year 2019 115 4.2 Moisture Content in Relation to Seasonal Factors er TE The moisture content of SRF displayed an inverse seasonal pattern compared to calorific value. High--R Pe IN ie IO observed during summer. This suggests a strong inverse relationship between air temperature and w N ed A fuel moisture, with precipitation playing a secondary role. L S Pr CIE ev RNAT er moisture levels were consistently recorded during the winter months, while lower levels were ce N temperature significantly affect moisture retention in SRF (KERN 2015). The continental climate of ed o These findings align with prior research, indicating that ambient humidity, storage ventilation, and ing TIF the region, marked by cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers, further substantiates this sea-IC C ok FER 4.3 Chlorine Content, Precipitation, and Temperature Interplay : S s Bo O sonal fluctuation. N IN T'S A ring in late summer or early autumn, and lowest values registered in early winter or spring. A B B O LE Interestingly, the increase in chlorine levels appears to follow the summer peak in temperature, U D T P suggesting a potential lagged relationship between ambient heat and chlorine concentration in ST CE I The chlorine content in the solid fuel also followed a seasonal rhythm, with peaks generally occur-A U EN EV EO EL waste-derived fuels. This could be linked to the breakdown of chlorinated compounds in warmer OP PL E 2 conditions or to changes in waste composition during summer months (WTW 2003). Elevated pre-M EN 02 cipitation during summer may also contribute, either through leaching or redistribution of chlorin-T 4 ated particles in stored waste (Leblanc, 2019). –2 02 The data from 2015 to 2019 clearly demonstrate that the quality of solid fuel derived from waste is 5 significantly affected by seasonal weather variables—namely temperature and precipitation. Three key quality parameters—calorific value, moisture content, and chlorine concentration—all exhibit measurable seasonal variation. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring environ-mental conditions and adapting production and storage strategies accordingly. Such adaptive management can enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and align more close-ly with environmental standards and end-user requirements (Retsch 2020; IKA 2016). Understand-ing these seasonal dynamics is essential for advancing sustainable waste-to-energy systems and improving the overall reliability and performance of solid recovered fuels. 5 DISCUSSION The analysis of data collected from the Puconci Waste Management Center over multiple years high-lights the significant influence of environmental and human factors on the quality of solid fuel de-rived from municipal waste. These findings are consistent with previous studies, which have shown that seasonal and weather-related fluctuations can affect both the physical and chemical properties of waste materials used in energy recovery (e.g., Rixson, 2018; Leblanc, 2019). One of the most evident patterns observed was the increase in calorific value during summer and early autumn. This can be attributed to the higher presence of plastics and packaging waste during warmer months when outdoor activities, tourism, and consumption of pre-packaged goods inten-sify. These materials typically have higher energy content, contributing to a higher calorific value. This aligns with broader research indicating that waste composition shifts in warmer months due to lifestyle changes and consumer behavior (Marin, 2018). Conversely, the moisture content was consistently highest during winter, which is likely influenced by lower ambient temperatures and increased humidity. Cold air holds less moisture, but once it en-ters storage areas with fluctuating temperatures and reduced ventilation, condensation can form, leading to increased moisture absorption in stored fuel. This trend is well-documented in studies on biomass storage, where insufficient protection from ambient moisture significantly affects fuel usability and combustion efficiency (Retsch, 2020). Interestingly, chlorine content peaked during late summer and early autumn, a result that like-ly corresponds with the same increase in plastic content, particularly PVC and other chlorinated polymers. These materials contribute to higher chlorine levels, which can pose challenges dur-ing combustion, such as corrosion of equipment and the formation of dioxins if not properly con- 116 influencing the collection, transport, and temporary storage processes. These nuanced effects could w N edAL S be better captured in future studies with real-time humidity and precipitation data at the storage site. PrCIE o Perhaps most importantly, the data suggest that human dynamics—namely, behavior, consumption ceN ed patterns, and waste disposal habits—play a substantial role in determining the composition and TIF ingIC C thus the quality of solid fuel. These dynamics are often overlooked in technical analyses, yet they s BoON directly shape the characteristics of waste streams. For instance, the increase in disposable items okFER during holidays or seasonal events leads to greater volumes of combustible, plastic-based waste. : SEN U While precipitation did not show a direct correlation with any of the three measured parameters, it er-R RN evAT may still play an indirect role by affecting the overall moisture conditions in storage environments or ieIO proving upstream waste sorting. Pe INTE trolled. This reinforces the importance of maintaining tight quality control of input waste and im- From a practical standpoint, these findings highlight the importance of seasonal adaptation in CE I ST A waste-to-energy operations. Facilities producing solid recovered fuel (SRF) must account for INT'S A A seasonal quality variation by adjusting storage methods, sampling protocols, and even pricing BBO LE models. More consistent control over input waste quality through public awareness campaigns, U DT P household-level separation, and covered storage facilities could mitigate some of these seasonal EVEO EL fluctuations and result in a more stable, high-quality fuel. OPPLE 2 M Moreover, the implementation of predictive models using meteorological and behavioral indica- EN02 tors could help optimize production schedules and maintenance of incineration or co-incineration T4–2 equipment. Anticipating when chlorine levels are likely to rise, for instance, could allow for proac-02 tive management to prevent corrosion and emissions issues.5 In conclusion, this study expands our understanding of how environmental and social factors inter-act in the context of waste-derived fuel. It supports the view that effective resource recovery is not only a technical or infrastructural challenge but also one deeply embedded in seasonal rhythms and human behavior. Addressing these interdependencies is key to developing more sustainable and resilient waste management systems. 6 CONCLUSION This research examined how seasonal patterns and external factors—primarily air temperature, pre-cipitation, and human behavior—influence key quality parameters of solid fuel derived from mu-nicipal waste at the CEROP Puconci facility. The production of solid recovered fuel (SRF) plays an increasingly vital role in sustainable waste management, particularly by providing an alternative to landfilling for non-recyclable waste fractions. However, for this process to be environmentally and economically viable, consistent and high-quality fuel must be produced. The analysis over multiple years revealed clear and recurring seasonal trends. The calorific value of solid fuel was highest in the warmer months, likely due to increased plastic content in the waste stream—especially during summer when consumption patterns favor plastic packaging, outdoor events, and disposable materials. Conversely, in colder months, the calorific value dropped, reflect-ing a more organic-rich and moisture-laden waste composition. The moisture content followed an inverse pattern, with the highest levels during the winter. These results suggest that low air temperatures and elevated relative humidity during winter prevent ef-fective drying of the waste, even during covered storage or intermediate handling. Moisture in fuel reduces its energy content and increases emissions during combustion, emphasizing the need for climate-responsive storage and processing solutions. The chlorine content, another critical quality parameter due to its impact on equipment corrosion and toxic emissions, also peaked in late summer and early autumn. This trend may again reflect sea-sonal shifts in the type of waste collected—especially the increased proportion of plastic packaging, which often contains chlorine-bearing compounds. These patterns highlight that the production of high-quality SRF is not a static process but one influ-enced by both natural cycles and societal rhythms. The findings reinforce the necessity of dynamic management practices in waste-to-energy operations—ones that account for weather variability, consumption trends, and material flows. 117 er-R R economy, and behavior. Understanding the interactions between these domains enables better N ev AT forecasting, planning, and technology design for future SRF systems. ie IO Pe IN waste management. Waste is not simply a material problem—it is embedded in culture, climate, TE From a broader perspective, this study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in w N ed Recommendations summary A L S Pr To improve consistency in SRF quality, it is recommended that waste processing facilities: o CIE ce N- Invest in covered or climate-controlled storage to reduce seasonal moisture variation. ed TIF ing IC C- Develop standardized sampling and reporting protocols to enable transparency and comparabil- U EN Investigate economic aspects of SRF production, including the feasibility of local usage to reduce - CE I ST A reliance on exports and maximize national energy self-sufficiency. IN T'S A A B B Ultimately, the transformation of waste into energy-rich fuel must go hand in hand with rigorous O ok FER - Promote greater material separation at the source, particularly for plastics and organics. : S s Bo O ity across producers. N LE U D quality control, climate adaptation, and public engagement to support circular economy goals and T P EV environmental protection. EO EL OP PL E 2 M EN 02 T 4 –2 02 5 118 REFERENCES Pe INTE 1. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje (ARSO). 2020. ARHIV – opazovani in merjeni meteorološki er -RRN podatki po Sloveniji. https://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/archive/ (accessed May 19, 2020). evAT ieIO 2. EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2017. Climate Change Indicators: Greenhouse Gases. wN edA https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/greenhouse-gases (accessed November 12, 2019).L S Pr 3. ERFO (European Recovered Fuel Organisation). The Role of SRF in a Circular Economy. https:// oCIE ceN www.erfo.info/images/PDF/The_role_of_SRF_in_a_Circular_Economy.pdf (accessed January edTIF 12, 2020). ingIC C 5. European Parliament and Council. 2008. Directive 2008/98/EC on Waste and Repealing Certain Directi--to-energy.pdf (accessed January 25, 2021). : S EN UCE I ST A INT'S A A BB ves. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008L0098&from=EN 4. European Commission. 2017. The Role of Waste-to-Energy in the Circular Economy: Communication s Bo ON From the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social ok FER Committee and the Committee of the Regions. https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/waste- 6. Eurostat. 2016. Landfill Rate of Waste Excluding Major Mineral Wastes. https://ec.europa.eu/euros-(accessed March 23, 2021). LE OU DT P EVEO EL OPPL tat/web/products-datasets/-/t2020_rt110 (accessed January 12, 2020).E 2 M 7. Eurostat. 2018a. Recycling Rate of Municipal Waste. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/produ- EN02 T4 cts-datasets/product?code=sdg_11_60 (accessed January 12, 2020).–202 8. Eurostat. 2019a. Municipal Waste Statistics. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/5 index.php/Municipal_waste_statistics (accessed November 12, 2019). 9. Forstnerič, Leja. 2018. Kako odpadki vplivajo na okolje in zdravje ljudi in kako jih zmanjševati? Live for Heartwarming. https://liveforheartwarming.com/blog/kako-odpadki-vplivajo-na-oko- lje-in-zdravje-ljudi-in-kako-jih-zmanjsevati/ (accessed January 18, 2019). 10. Fundacio ENT. 2015. Air Pollution from Waste Disposal: Not for Public Breath. Brussels: Zero Waste Europe. 11. Hultman, Johan, and Hervé Corvellec. 2012. The European Waste Hierarchy: From the Socioma- teriality of Waste to a Politics of Consumption. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/pu- blication/235932856_The_European_Waste_Hierarchy_from_the_sociomateriality_of_waste_ to_a_politics_of_consumption (accessed December 21, 2019). 12. IKA. 2016. Calorimeter System C 200. https://www.ika.com/en/Products-Lab-Eq/Calorimeters- -Oxygen-Bomb-calorimeter-csp-330/C-200-cpdt-8802500/ (accessed February 5, 2020). 13. Kajic, Petra, and Martin Koprivc. 2013. Uporaba alternativnih goriv in materialov v cementni indu- striji. In Celovito ravnanje z odpadki, 181–187. Moravske Toplice: Zveza ekoloških gibanj Slovenije. 14. Kara, Mustafa, Esin Günay, Yasemin Tabak, Şenol Yildiz, and Volkan Enc. 2008. The Usage of Refu- se Derived Fuel from Urban Solid Waste in Cement Industry as an Alternative Fuel. In New Aspects of Heat Transfer, Thermal Engineering and Environment, edited by E. L. Cussler et al., 172–177. Rho- des: WSEAS. 15. Lackner, Klaus S., and Christophe Jospe. 2017. Climate Change is a Waste Management Problem. Issues in Science and Technology. https://issues.org/climate-change-is-a-waste-management- -problem/ (accessed January 12, 2020). 16. Leblanc, Rich. 2019. The Waste Management Hierarchy. The Balance Small Business. https://www. thebalancesmb.com/reduce-reuse-and-recycle-the-waste-management-hierarchy-2878202 (accessed January 12, 2020). 17. Marin, Andrei. 2018. Recycling of Municipal Waste. European Environment Agency. https://www. eea.europa.eu/airs/2018/resource-efficiency-and-low-carbon-economy/recycling-of-munici- pal-waste (accessed January 12, 2020). 18. Nadziakiewicz, Jan. 2019. Energy Recovery from Waste. Gliwice: Chair of Installations and Systems for Waste Utilization. 19. Neuwahl, Frederik, et al. 2019. Best Available Techniques (BAT) for Waste Incineration. Luxembo- urg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/ files/2020-01/JRC118637_WI_Bref_2019_published_0.pdf. 119 w N 21. Retsch. 2020. Cutting Mill SM 100. https://www.retsch.com/api/?action=product_pdf&produ-ed A L S Pr ctId=10&id=2296508&L=0 (accessed February 5, 2020). CIE o 22. Rixson, Chris. 2018. Improving the Quality of SRF/RDF. Recycling & Waste World. http://www. ce N ed TIF recyclingwasteworld.co.uk/opinion/improving-the-quality-of-srf-rdf/167018/ (accessed Janu-ing IC C ary 20, 2020). s Bo O N 23. Samec, Niko. 2013. Pomen termične obdelave odpadkov v konceptu celovitega ravnanja z odpad-ok FE R ki. In Celovito ravnanje z odpadki , 131–132. Moravske Toplice: Zveza ekoloških gibanj Slovenije. : S EN U er-R R goriva iz odpadkov. In Celovito ravnanje z odpadki, 99–104. Moravske Toplice: Zveza ekoloških N ev AT gibanj Slovenije. ie IO Pe IN Izločevanje odpadkov primernih za snovno predelavo v postopku proizvodnje alternativnega TE 20. Pomberger, Roland, Josef Adam, Alexander Curtis, Joseph Kulmer, and Andrej Gomboši. 2013. LE BOU 25. Suzuki, David. 2013. The Problems with Incinerating Waste. The Georgia Straight. https://www.strai- D T P EV ght.com/news/421761/david-suzuki-problems-incinerating-waste (accessed January 13, 2020). EO EL OP 26. WTW. 2003. Operating Manual pH/ION 340i. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1488717/ PL E 2 M Wtw-Ph-Ion-340i.html (accessed February 5, 2020). EN A Plant. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610217352001 IN T'S A A (accessed December 2, 2019). B ST CE I 24. Silva, Sofia, and A. Miguel Lopes. 2007. Environmental Aspects and Impacts of a Waste Incineration T 024–202 AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES 5 Marko Šetinc, PhD, is an assistant professor at Alma Mater Europaea University. His research focuses on environmental economics, odour management, soft skills for career development, and the inte-gration of art therapy into sustainability education. Anja Grabar holds a Master’s degree in ecoremediation. She is currently employed at the company Surovina in Maribor, where she is studying alternative fuel from waste. Tanja Bagar, PhD, is an assistant professor at Alma Mater Europaea University, lecturing microbiolo-gy, cannabinoid science and specializing in ecoremediation. She is the head of R&D at Cerop, where she focuses on waste derived fuels and novel technologies for waste management. Silvija Zeman, PhD, is an assistant professor at Alma Mater Europaea University. Her work focuses on environmental analysis, with an emphasis on chromatographic methods and sustainable land management. 120