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In Europe, numerous forms of energy self-sufficiency or small technical systems exist, are promoted and discussed. They share the ambition to reduce the dependence to inherited/incumbent large technical systems in various sectors (energy and water supply, sanitation, waste management) through the implementation of 'local' energy systems and 'small' grids. The contemporary energy and environmental crisis could rush the end of large technical systems (networks and infrastructures) as they have been developed since the late 19th century. This book examines the various options to transition.

Conventional production and consumption system results in rapid depletion of natural resources. Particularly in developing economies, the key factor behind environmental damage is conventional production and consumption. This problem can be overcome by adopting sustainable production and consumption (SPC) initiatives. But for implementation of SPC, proper knowledge of various challenges and solutions is required as in case of any failure it may lead to heavy losses. So in this research study, efforts have been put to identify various barriers in adopting SPC and various solutions to make these barriers less intense. Keeping Indian manufacturing industry in focus, total twenty-six barriers under six different heads were identified with the help of the literature and experts’ input. Fuzzy-AHP MCDM methodology has been adopted to identify the relative importance of all these barriers. As a result, it is found that Government-related barriers, Management-related barriers and Finance-related barriers are the key barriers to be focused for adopting the SPC. Further thirteen solutions either to remove the barriers or to lower the impacts of barriers were identified from the literature and experts’ input. These thirteen solutions were ranked using fuzzy-TOPSIS methodology. The final results provided the prioritised list of all twenty-six barriers and thirteen solutions, which will be helpful in understanding the concept of SPC. Further sensitivity analysis has also been done to ensure the correctness of the results obtained. The literature is full of researches focused on identification and analysis of barriers, but very few studies like ours are available, which also analyse various solutions along with barriers. This work will be helpful for government and management in making policies to promote SPC. Finally, this work will be very beneficial for all, who are focused towards SPC.

\"The Homesteader's Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook is the modern homesteader's guide to raising, feeding, breeding, selling, and enjoying the noblest animal on the farm--the chicken. From the rooster's crow in the morning, to the warm egg in the nesting box, chickens are the gateway livestock for almost every homesteader and backyard farm enthusiast. In this book, you'll learn everything you need to know about raising chickens naturally\"-- Provided by publisher.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the global COVID-19 pandemic related to its sustainability, such as environmental, economic and social concerns. The short study also examined how various innovative approaches can help promote sustainable production. Design/methodology/approach The methodology examines hypothetical scenarios of the current pandemic and tries to describe the quality of evidence to facilitate careful, critical engagement by readers. Secondary data is used to identify sustainability challenges, such as environmental, social and economic viability challenges. The information in this report was gathered from numerous media outlets, research agencies, policy papers, newspapers and other sources to gain a better knowledge of the issue. Findings As a result, most industry executives and policymakers are looking for appropriate strategies and policies to improve their practices and meet consumer demand. The outcomes explore that the COVID-19 pandemic is a central factor in changes in people’s behavior, reflecting sustainability such as environmental, social and economic responsibility. The COVID-19 outbreak, surprisingly, had a bigger effect on sustainable consumption, accompanied by environmental sustainability, and, to a lesser extent, social and economic viability. Research limitations/implications Limited secondary evidence and data could not scrutinize the study’s actual problem statements. Hence, it is recommended that the gap in research be fulfilled by conducting a primary survey among various groups of economists, environmentalists and industrialists using the cluster sampling technique by validating the questionnaire of the total sustainable production system. Proposing frameworks for improving the resilience of production and a systematic possible upgraded manufacturing system by using the Industry 4.0 technology during operational processes could advance market demand. Practical implications The COVID-19 scenario has compelled manufacturing firms to put their production systems on hold for an extended period while they seek long-term solutions to assure simple delivery and cooperation from both business and consumer standpoints. Various aspects of supply and demand are discussed in the referendum, as well as production and consumption challenges during the COVID-19 era. There is a need to restore the production system and find the right source of raw materials. This work focuses on commodity inventory management systems due to mass production, but due to pandemics, it is not in demand and vice versa. The researcher made comprehensible remarks on the use of digitization in the pandemic, which improves social distancing and social well-being and promotes the production system as well. Besides, manufacturing plants should switch to digital manufacturing to reduce the number of workplaces and hence the risk of an outbreak. Therefore, a better supply chain network is needed to supply more manufacturing units. Social implications There is a bright side of coronavirus that the public health crisis raised worldwide has brought many opportunities for governments and society to make eternal reforms in the public health sector door. During restricted movements for fulfilling market demand, the Industry 4.0 technologies for automation, mechanization and digitalization can help significantly advance a company. This technological advancement and computer digitization for the perspective people may improve the environment, economic and social sustainability also increase social media adoption, which can be crucial for agri-businesses to evaluate customers’ behavior and consumption trends. Originality/value The paper also instructed to identify critical success factors, barriers and drivers for dealing with the pandemic situation and to develop a strategic policy framework to improve production and process flexibility through the remarkable introduction of digital manufacturing. Before it is too late to stop the spread, producers and consumers must grasp the limits to which suppliers might drive nature.

ICT hold significant potential to increase resource and energy efficiencies and contribute to a circular economy. Yet unresolved is whether the aggregated net effect of ICT overall mitigates or aggravates environmental burdens. While the savings potentials have been explored, drivers that prevent these and possible counter measures have not been researched thoroughly. The concept digital sufficiency constitutes a basis to understand how ICT can become part of the essential environmental transformation. Digital sufficiency consists of four dimensions, each suggesting a set of strategies and policy proposals: (a) hardware sufficiency, which aims for fewer devices needing to be produced and their absolute energy demand being kept to the lowest level possible to perform the desired tasks; (b) software sufficiency, which covers ensuring that data traffic and hardware utilization during application are kept as low as possible; (c) user sufficiency, which strives for users applying digital devices frugally and using ICT in a way that promotes sustainable lifestyles; and (d) economic sufficiency, which aspires to digitalization supporting a transition to an economy characterized not by economic growth as the primary goal but by sufficient production and consumption within planetary boundaries. The policies for hardware and software sufficiency are relatively easily conceivable and executable. Policies for user and economic sufficiency are politically more difficult to implement and relate strongly to policies for environmental transformation in general. This article argues for comprehensive policies for digital sufficiency, which are indispensible if ICT are to play a beneficial role in overall environmental transformation.

\"This book focuses on understanding the status quo of sustainable practices in industry operations from an emerging economy perspective, presenting various practices in India. In order to offer a balance between theory and practice, it provides guidelines for applying models to achieve the goal of sustainability in this competitive environment. The chapters include theoretical perspectives, models and empirical evidence on sustainable practices from Indian industries. The book also presents a scholarly perspective on sustainable operations from various researchers and practitioners in India for a global audience in academia and industry\"--Page 4 of cover.

Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) transform crop production by enabling more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. These technologies utilize data‐driven approaches to optimize the management of crops, soil, and resources, thus enhancing both productivity and environmental sustainability. This article reviewed the application of PATs for sustainable crop production and environmental sustainability around the globe. Key components of PAT include remote sensing, GPS‐guided equipment, variable rate technology (VRT), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Remote sensing and drones deliver high‐resolution imagery and data, enabling precise monitoring of crop health, soil conditions, and pest activity. GPS‐guided machinery ensures accurate planting, fertilizing, and harvesting, which reduces waste and enhances efficiency. VRT optimizes resource use by allowing farmers to apply inputs such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides at varying rates across a field based on real‐time data and specific crop requirements. This reduces over‐application and minimizes environmental impact, such as nutrient runoff and greenhouse gas emissions. IoT devices and sensors provide continuous monitoring of environmental conditions and crop status, enabling timely and informed decision‐making. The application of PAT contributes significantly to environmental sustainability by promoting practices that conserve water, reduce chemical usage, and enhance soil health. By enhancing the precision of agricultural operations, these technologies reduce the environmental impact of farming, while simultaneously boosting crop yields and profitability. As the global demand for food increases, precision agriculture offers a promising pathway to achieving sustainable crop production and ensuring long‐term environmental health.

Despite an increase in food production due to the green revolution of agriculture and corresponding to the blue revolution of aquaculture, the challenge of feeding an ever-increasing global population remains. Concerns have been raised about the environmental sustainability, food productivity, and social responsibility of the blue revolution. Similarly, the green revolution has received criticism for its socioeconomic and environmental impacts. A blue-green revolution of integrated rice-fish cultivation offers a solution to the issues of environmental sustainability, food productivity, and socioeconomic benefits. Combining the blue revolution (aquaculture) and the green revolution (agriculture), integrated rice-fish cultivation would provide a form of sustainable intensification that able to produce more food from the same area of land and water without or less environmental impacts. Compared to rice monoculture, rice-fish coculture could increase by up to 27% of total production. The integration of other crops (e.g., cattle, ducks, and vegetables) could increase a diverse food production. However, water management is one of the potential challenges for rice-fish culture. Further research with the collaboration of major stakeholders is needed to address water management for the wider adoption of rice-fish cultivation.