1,720,985 research outputs found
Expectations and experiences regarding radiation protection during geothermal operation
No full textManaging NORM in geothermal installations
Introductory presentation for Workshop with invited representatives of authorities, experts and industry
Expectations and experiences regarding radiation protection during geothermal operation
No full textManaging NORM in geothermal installations
Introductory presentation for Workshop with invited representatives of authorities, experts and industry
Usage of alternative cementitious binders containing naturally occurring radioactive by-products: The industry's perspective
No full textIn 2021, global cement production was responsible for around 7% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Alternative cementitious binders from secondary raw materials that replace traditional cement can reduce the need for the use of virgin raw materials and can thereby reduce GHGs associated with cement. Some of these secondary materials include industrial by-products categorised as NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material). While prior research has investigated the technical aspects of using NORM-contained byproducts in cementitious binders, to date, no attention has been given to non-technical aspects such as perceived risks and concerns of the main stakeholders. This study brings novel insights into these overlooked aspects through a series of semi-structured interviews with concrete industry representatives in Belgium. Through a thematic analysis of the data, we found six themes that represent industry's concerns regarding the usage of NORM-contained cementitious binders: (1) availability of the by-products, (2) financial factors, (3) quality and performance, (4) common sustainability parameters, (5) customer demand, and (6) acceptance of NORM contained by-products. Regulatory certainty was found to be a key driver in all six themes. With regard to the expected role of governments, we can synthesise three core expectations highlighted by interviewees: a) Policymakers need to revisit the current regulations regarding the performance and quality to facilitate innovation in the concrete industry such as the use of alternative cementitious binders. b) They should implement EU-level regulations that can provide a level playing field for the industry during their transition to net-zero targets, including import regulations and certification for the usage of NORM-contained by-products. c) As an important public buyer, the government should expedite the transition to alternative binders through their procurement policies for governmental buildings and infrastructure projects.This work was supported by the Horizon 2020 Euratom research and training programme under grant [agreement No 900009]
Stakeholders' perspective on sustainable cement made with naturally occurring radioactive by-products: A cross-country comparison
No full textThe use of industrial by-products as substitutes for raw materials in cement production not only reduces raw material use, thereby contributing to the circular economy, but also offers an avenue for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the perceptions of industry representatives and end-users across Belgium, Czechia and Slovenia regarding alternative cement made with industrial by-products categorised as naturally occurring radioactive materials. Based on 66 interviews, three main concerns were discerned: health, performance, and economic. Health concerns varied across countries, whereas performance and economic concerns were consistent. Health concerns can be mitigated by fostering trust in authorities. Performance concerns can be addressed through certification and practical examples. Economic concerns arising from the perceived higher costs connected to sustainability and lack of urgency for immediate change can be mitigated through incentives and regulations. This study informs communication and policy strategies tailored to address stakeholders' specific concerns in each country.Funding
This work was supported by the Euratom research and training programme 2019–2020 under grant [agreement No 900009].
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the interviewees for their participation in this study and for providing valuable insights. Furthermore, we would like to express our gratitude to Ela Praznik, Matija Simon, Christophe Ruiters, Ivana Fojtíkova, ´ Zuzana Freitinger, and Peter Mihok for their invaluable help during the interviews, tran scription, and translation processes
The evolution of the discourse of a Belgian fair trade organization : a two-dimensional history
No full textPurpose: This paper aims to provide a detailed account of the evolution of the fair trade discourse of a Belgian fair trade organization, with a specific focus on the changes in the combination of the organization’s trade and social (movement) dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on an analysis of the organization’s discourse as found in the member magazine in four different time periods. These four periods cover different phases in the life-history of the organization and in the broader fair trade field.
Findings: Throughout the organization’s history, both social (movement) and trade dimensions know drastic changes, also in their mutual relationship. In the earliest history, trade practices are clearly subordinate to goals of socialist inspired societal change, while in the more recent history, trade has permeated the entire discourse, putting the trade dimension in a more central position. However, both dimensions seem to evolve in a connected way, as the discourse shows clear similarities on both, and evolutions can be related to changes in the organization’s broader field.
Originality/value: Focusing upon the discourse of a specific fair trade organization breaks with a tradition of broad notions of fair trade-history. Moreover, this case also provides insight into the evolution of the mix of both social and economic dimensions within a specific organization, and connects this to evolutions in the broader (fair trade) field
Performing fair trade at the point of purchase : a study of the socio-material enactment of fair trade consumption and markets
No full textPlacing the distant other on the shelf : an analysis and comparison of (fair trade) coffee packages in relation to commodity fetishism
Full text linkFair trade has been praised for ‘de-fetishizing’ commodities by providing consumers with information on the production of the commodity. Various empirical studies of fair trade marketing materials have generated critique of this vision. However, these focused on materials produced by engaged fair trade organizations. As the fair trade concept has entered the mainstream, fair trade products have found their way into supermarkets. In this setting, these products are confronted with competition, both internal (with other fair trade products) and external (with non-fair trade products). In this article, we argue for a broader focus when studying the relationship between fair trade and defetishization. Our argument is based on a study of whether and how defetishization is advanced on packages of ground coffee within the retail landscape of Flanders, Belgium. Several categories of packages can be distinguished, based on brand (e.g., fair trade advocate, regular brand, retailer house brand) and label (e.g. fair trade label; other social label; no label, but origin is emphasized in the product name). We demonstrate the difficulty of distinguishing these packages based on the visual and textual information they carry (beyond the label), which complicates the identification of any clearly distinct ‘fair trade message’ on these packages. Instead of serving a clear ‘defetishizing’ function, these messages are mixed, interchanged, and adapted. We argue that this could be a direct consequence of perceived or actual changes in the consumer publics inherent to the mainstreaming of fair trade
The clock is ticking
Full text linkIf it can be made to work, fusion energy offers the potential for unlimited, clean energy. This prospect has seen substantial investment in the science and engineering behind fusion in order to demonstrate its viability. As key societal stakeholders, the opinions and actions of publics can shape the success of emerging energy technologies. To date, however, there have been relatively few studies focused on the public acceptability of fusion. The current study provides insight into public perspectives about fusion in five European countries (Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Spain). Using a qualitative ‘World Caf´ e’ type method, participants (n =10–25 per country) were provided with basic and balanced information about fusion, before being invited to discuss the risks, benefits and drawbacks of the technology and investment in its development. Transcripts from each World Caf´ e were subject to template analysis. The results indicated that while awareness of fusion was low in each country, participants were broadly supportive of fusion. This support was, however, tentative due to its commercially unproven nature. This stimulated questions about the value of investment in the technology, particularly given the urgency of addressing climate change. While there was some variation in the sub-topics raised and discussed in each country, the principal themes raised were broadly comparable. These findings add to our systematic understanding of the ‘mixed feelings’ held about fusion and have implications for future public engagement and communication efforts relating to the technology
De ethische consument onder de loep : creatie van de fair trade-klant in de case van Oxfam-Wereldwinkels
No full textBringing the moral economy into your shopping cart: enacting fair trade consumption at a Belgian supermarket
No full text- …
