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Sustainability and CDM potential analysis of a novel vs conventional bioenergy projects in South Asia by multi-criteria decision-making method

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 27, pages 23081–23093 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, the multi-attribute utility theory model, one of the most widely utilized multi-criteria decision-making methods, is employed to analyze the relative sustainability and cleaner development mechanism (CDM) potential of a novel bioenergy project in Pakistan and four registered CDM bioenergy installations in China, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Four major sustainability evaluation criteria selected for the study are technology, economy, environment, and social aspects, whereas “simple multi-attribute rating technique” (SMART) and “additive synthesis method” were utilized for the calculation of weighting factors. The most significant indicator was emission reduction, and least significant indicator was job creation with 24% and 15% respective weightages, in the sustainability scoring. Moreover, for three considered evaluation scenarios, (I) base case, (II) per kilowatt, and (III) per kilowatt hour, the bioenergy project in Pakistan has the highest comparative sustainability values of 0.735, 0.592, and 0.492 respectively. This analysis will provide an insight assistance to developing countries for establishing sustainable energy installations under CDM.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the GC University Lahore for their support, and University of Nottingham for providing the postdoc research placement and visa assistance to Dr. Rizwan Rasheed.

Funding

This study received funding and support from the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), and Creative Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. Lahore, Pakistan.

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Affiliations

  1. Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University Lahore, Katchary Road, Lower Mall, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    Rizwan Rasheed, Hajra Javed, Asfra Rizwan, Abdullah Yasar, Amtul Bari Tabinda & Yusra Mahfooz

  2. Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

    Rizwan Rasheed & Yuehong Su

  3. School of Economics and Management, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Yubo Wang

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  1. Rizwan Rasheed
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  2. Hajra Javed
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  3. Asfra Rizwan
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  4. Abdullah Yasar
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  5. Amtul Bari Tabinda
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  8. Yuehong Su
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Correspondence to Rizwan Rasheed.

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Rasheed, R., Javed, H., Rizwan, A. et al. Sustainability and CDM potential analysis of a novel vs conventional bioenergy projects in South Asia by multi-criteria decision-making method. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 23081–23093 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08862-6

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Keywords

  • Sustainability
  • Clean energy, cleaner development
  • Sustainable energy
  • Carbon trading
  • Bioenergy
  • Pollution prevention