As an EU policy agenda, the ―knowledge-based bio-economy‖ (KBBE) emphasizes bio-technoscience as the means to reconcile environmental and economic sustainability. This frames the sustainability problem as an inefficiency to be overcome through a techno-knowledge fix. Here ecological sustainability means a benign eco-efficient productivity using resources which are renewable, reproducible and th...

Dyes derived from natural materials such as plant leaves, roots, bark, insect secretions, and minerals were the only dyes available to mankind for the coloring of textiles until the discovery of the first synthetic dye in 1856. Rapid research strides in synthetic chemistry supported by the industrialization of textile production not only led to the development of synthetic alternatives to popul...

Transferring product environmental information to consumer to promote eco-product in the market and to promote sustainable consumption is considered as an important challenge especially according to the Integrated Product Policy (IPP) and the eco-design directive for Energy Using Products (EUP). In this paper the three core areas of consumer analysis on eco-products are identified. In order to ...

This paper identifies the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) as a tool in eco-design that can be used to identify customer desires, needs and requirements and to evaluate and characterise them into different categories, thereby building up an overall picture of customer value. It further argues that QFD can be more effective to the extent that it incorporates green engineering objectives, becaus...

Increasing customer demand for durable and functional apparel manufactured in a sustainable manner has created an opportunity for nanomaterials to be integrated into textile substrates. Nanomoieties can induce stain repellence, wrinkle-freeness, static elimination, and electrical conductivity to fibers without compromising their comfort and flexibility. Nanomaterials also offer a wider applicat...

Eco-feedback interventions are capable of producing reductions in household energy consumption. Yet less is known about exactly how this reduction is achieved, how to maximise user engagement, or how to effectively translate engagement into energy saving. This paper discusses design opportunities for eco-feedback systems through observations of domestic energy use in both Western and rural deve...

This paper discusses an approach for eco-tourism. The paper also addresses the cost-benefit analysis of different parameters which can help in designing a framework. The principles of eco tourism emphasizes on the win-win situation for both the Commercial and Environmental concerns; with focus on creating alternatives for sustainable ventures. The framework designed has two-pronged approach: se...

The Biosphere Reserve (BR) concept aims at encouraging sustainable development (SD) towards sustainability on the ground by promoting three core functions: conservation, development, and logistic support. Sweden and Ukraine exemplify the diverse governance contexts that BRs need to cope with. We assessed how the BR concept and its core functions are captured in national legislations. The result...