Maria Sharmina

@article{c6a44e6826764143adec0503f864759d,

title = {Sourcing cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a responsible net-zero transition: Incentives, risks and stakeholders},

author = {Xintong Cao and Maria Sharmina and Rosa Cuellar Franca},

doi = {10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.105149},

issn = {0301-4207},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-06-14},

journal = {Resources Policy},

volume = {95},

number = {105149},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Net-zero technologies and the electrification of transport rely heavily on cobalt-containing equipment. Growing demand for cobalt entails environmental, social and economic sustainability risks of cobalt mining, particularly artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Many studies have raised the importance of motivating stakeholders to source cobalt responsibly. Through a systematic literature review, we identify nine sustainability risks that need to be addressed in the cobalt supply chain, analyse measures for incentivising responsible cobalt sourcing, and map links between the sustainability risks and the measures, to elaborate on the engagement of downstream stakeholders and identify methodological gaps. We group such measures into four incentive mechanisms, where integrating ASM into the cobalt supply chain while further formalising the ASM sector (Incentive Mechanism III) is the key to addressing most sustainability risks. Further deconstructing Incentive Mechanism III demonstrates that upstream stakeholders and governments shoulder most responsibility for its implementation. Engagement of downstream companies (such as electric vehicle manufacturers) is inadequate, given their significant influence both on consumers and on the cobalt supply chain. To engage downstream stakeholders more actively, we recommend establishing dedicated ASM funding pools and providing training for ASM communities.},

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@article{c1a00c59f6ab4cf98e11dd22fa1ced76,

title = {Facilitating domestic demand response in Britain’s electricity system},

author = {Timothy Capper and Jaise Kuriakose and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.jup.2024.101768},

issn = {0957-1787},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-05-30},

journal = {Utilities Policy},

volume = {89},

number = {101768},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Load flexibility can supplant some of the supply-side flexibility lost as intermittent renewables are installed and reduce the network investment needed to meet growing electricity demand. This diffusion of innovation study uses interviews to examine the factors that might lead to adopting or rejecting domestic demand response. The results show that policymakers can make the most of demand flexibility by aligning the technical and bidding requirements of different flexibility markets, regulating flexibility markets and aggregators to protect households participating in such markets, and making the energy price reflective of carbon content, location, and time of use.},

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@article{76fa9fd3dd2b43b1882cb51a0ef77630b,

title = {Collaborative digitally-enabled business models for a circular economy: Sustaining, managing and protecting value in the UK plastics sector},

author = {Adeyemi Adelekan and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.140770},

issn = {0959-6526},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-20},

journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},

volume = {438},

number = {140770},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Designing circular business models requires a combination of systems-level and company-level approaches, highlighting the importance of collaboration. While digital technologies can enable such business models, studies that shed light on the creation of multiple types of value in collaborative and digital technology-driven environments are currently limited. This paper, therefore, aims to explore the process of designing digitally enabled collaborative business models, using the UK plastics sector as a context that has seen a rise in new digital technology applications to plastics mandated by new regulations. To this end, we have worked with fifteen plastics sector organisations as part of an empirical qualitative study aiming to develop collaborative business models for a future plastics circular economy system in the UK. Together with the stakeholders, we have co-designed the value-retention and data-as-a-service business models that could be enabled by digital technologies such as tags. We show that the main stakeholder tensions relate to digital technology investments, access to recyclate and data, and digital asset management. We argue that such tensions might be the key cause of delaying experimentation with circular business models and enacting collaborations at the systems level. We suggest that future research could draw on quantitative data, such as investment costs to test these circular business models, in order to inform the discourse on infrastructural investments for sustainability.},

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pubstate = {published},

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}

@article{76fa9fd3dd2b43b1882cb51a0ef77630,

title = {Collaborative digitally-enabled business models for a circular economy: Sustaining, managing and protecting value in the UK plastics sector},

author = {Adeyemi Adelekan and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.140770},

issn = {0959-6526},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-14},

journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Designing circular business models requires a combination of systems-level and company-level approaches, highlighting the importance of collaboration. While digital technologies can enable such business models, studies that shed light on the creation of multiple types of value in collaborative and digital technology-driven environments are currently limited. This paper, therefore, aims to explore the process of designing digitally enabled collaborative business models, using the UK plastics sector as a context that has seen a rise in new digital technology applications to plastics mandated by new regulations. To this end, we have worked with fifteen plastics sector organisations as part of an empirical qualitative study aiming to develop collaborative business models for a future plastics circular economy system in the UK. Together with the stakeholders, we have co-designed the value-retention and data-as-a-service business models that could be enabled by digital technologies such as tags. We show that the main stakeholder tensions relate to digital technology investments, access to recyclate and data, and digital asset management. We argue that such tensions might be the key cause of delaying experimentation with circular business models and enacting collaborations at the systems level. We suggest that future research could draw on quantitative data, such as investment costs to test these circular business models, in order to inform the discourse on infrastructural investments for sustainability.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{210e83a750134c7791f7b42e1ac6f648,

title = {From Future Diets To Dishes: Communicating Dietary Shift Associated With A 1.5°C Scenario For Brazil, China, Sweden And The UK},

author = {Susan Lee and Muir Freer and Ruth Wood and O. Edelenbosch and M. Sharmina and D. van Vuuren and C. Wilson},

doi = {10.3389/fsufs.2023.1266708},

issn = {2571-581X},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-11-27},

journal = {Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems},

volume = {7},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S. A.},

abstract = {The global food system faces mounting challenges due to a growing population, increased demand for meat protein, and a shifting climate. Reducing meat consumption and transitioning to plant-based diets have been proposed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are crucial in understanding the magnitude of changes required to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. However, interpreting the outputs of these models related to dietary change can be challenging for professionals in diet and nutrition. In this analysis, outputs from the Integrated Assessment Model, IMAGE, are employed to develop more salientinformation on the potential dietary shifts and dish compositions that are consistent with limiting global temperature increases. This is accomplished by creating visualisations of future dishes and emphasising the proportions of meat- and plant-based ingredients within future diets and dishes. This analysis applied the DDDI (Diets, Dishes, Dish Ingredients) communication framework to visualisethese outputs. This study demonstrates how the scenario outputs from IMAGE can be communicated more accessibly and used to convert traditional IAM outputs into a more relevant set of information for a wider audience beyond academia concerning potential future food changes needed to comply with the Paris Agreement. Many countries use dietary guidelines to communicate dietary changes, and the visual charts and figures presented in this research can more effectively convey the appearance of a low greenhouse gas diet.},

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pubstate = {published},

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}

@article{210e83a750134c7791f7b42e1ac6f648b,

title = {From Future Diets To Dishes: Communicating Dietary Shift Associated With A 1.5°C Scenario For Brazil, China, Sweden And The UK},

author = {Susan Lee and Muir Freer and Ruth Wood and O. Edelenbosch and M. Sharmina and D. van Vuuren and C. Wilson},

doi = {10.3389/fsufs.2023.1266708},

issn = {2571-581X},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-11-27},

journal = {Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems},

volume = {7},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S. A.},

abstract = {The global food system faces mounting challenges due to a growing population, increased demand for meat protein, and a shifting climate. Reducing meat consumption and transitioning to plant-based diets have been proposed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are crucial in understanding the magnitude of changes required to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. However, interpreting the outputs of these models related to dietary change can be challenging for professionals in diet and nutrition. In this analysis, outputs from the Integrated Assessment Model, IMAGE, are employed to develop more salientinformation on the potential dietary shifts and dish compositions that are consistent with limiting global temperature increases. This is accomplished by creating visualisations of future dishes and emphasising the proportions of meat- and plant-based ingredients within future diets and dishes. This analysis applied the DDDI (Diets, Dishes, Dish Ingredients) communication framework to visualisethese outputs. This study demonstrates how the scenario outputs from IMAGE can be communicated more accessibly and used to convert traditional IAM outputs into a more relevant set of information for a wider audience beyond academia concerning potential future food changes needed to comply with the Paris Agreement. Many countries use dietary guidelines to communicate dietary changes, and the visual charts and figures presented in this research can more effectively convey the appearance of a low greenhouse gas diet.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{b92d324f6a054126be6457bedf5f3d5b,

title = {Resilient or environmentally friendly? Both are possible when seafood businesses prepare for long-term risks},

author = {Rebecca St. Clair and Dimitrios Pappas and Carly Fletcher and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137045},

issn = {0959-6526},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-07-01},

journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},

volume = {408},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {To ensure sustainable seafood production for future generations, seafood businesses must be resilient in the face of future shocks and stresses. Recent research suggests that by increasing alignment with principles of circular economy such as eliminating waste and regenerating natural environments, seafood companies may be able to improve their general resilience (i.e. resilience to unforeseen disruptions). Research presented here empirically explores potential links between circular economy, risk mitigation and resilience through a survey and workshops with seafood businesses in the United Kingdom. We found that many of the seafood companies participating in our research are actively implementing a range of circular economy actions such as recycling materials and minimising the use of single-use plastics. When identifying specific risks, businesses tended to adopt short-term mitigation measures that were less likely than longer-term measures to be aligned with circular economy principles. While businesses felt confident about their ability to adapt to and survive future risks, a focus on short-term risk mitigation might reduce their capacity to plan for longer-term risks. An inability to identify and prepare for longer-term risks may also impede businesses’ ability to increase their resilience to unforeseen disruptions and lock companies into a reactive, rather than a capacity-building cycle of risk mitigation.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{9599f1414e00456e9e69eb07d302a377,

title = {Impact of circular economy measures in the European Union built environment on a net-zero target},

author = {Maria Sharmina and Dimitrios Pappas and Kate Scott and Alejandro Gallego Schmid},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00257-2},

issn = {2730-5988},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-03-09},

journal = {Circular Economy and Sustainability},

publisher = {Springer Nature},

abstract = {Environmental benefits of circular economy (CE) measures, such as waste reduction, need to be weighed against the urgent need to reduce CO 2 emissions to zero, in line with the Paris Agreement climate goals of 1.5–2 °C. Several studies have quantified CO 2 emissions associated with CE measures in the construction sector in different EU countries, with the literature’s focus ranging from bricks and insulation products, to individual buildings, to the entire construction sector. We find that there is a lack of synthesis and comparison of such studies to each other and to the EU CO 2 emission reduction targets, showing a need for estimating the EU-wide mitigation potential of CE strategies. To evaluate the contribution that CE strategies can make to reducing the EU’s emissions, we scale up the CO 2 emission estimates from the existing studies to the EU level and compare them to each other, from both construction-element and sector-wide perspectives. Our analysis shows that average CO 2 savings from sector-wide estimates (mean 39.28 Mt CO 2 eq./year) slightly exceeded construction-element savings (mean 25.06 Mt CO 2 eq./year). We also find that a conservative estimate of 234 Mt CO 2 eq./year in combined emission savings from CE strategies targeting construction elements can significantly contribute towards managing the EU’s remaining carbon budget. While this is a significant mitigation potential, our analysis suggests caution as to how the performance and trade-offs of CE strategies are evaluated, in relation to wider sustainability concerns beyond material and waste considerations.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{a19367c0cabd4af0874922e322db8e76,

title = {Financing grassroots innovation diffusion pathways: the case of UK community energy},

author = {Iain Cairns and Matthew Hannon and Tim Braunholtz-Speight and Carly Mclachlan and Sarah Mander and Jeff Hardy and Maria Sharmina and Ed Manderson},

doi = {10.1016/j.eist.2022.11.004},

issn = {2210-4224},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-03-01},

journal = {Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions},

volume = {46},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {This paper explores how finance can better support the diffusion of Grassroots Innovations (GIs), community-led solutions for net-zero transitions. We examine the case of UK community energy (CE), across three ‘diffusion pathways’: niche replication (growth in the number of projects), individual scaling (growth in an organisation's scale) and collective diffusion (a confederation of GIs). We investigate each pathway through analysis of a nationwide survey, interviews and four case studies. We find that while finance currently supports replication of small-scale CE projects, the incompatibility between GIs and the wider finance meta-regime inhibits individual scaling. The UK CE sector has responded with collective diffusion, via business group intermediaries; attracting greater but still insufficient finance. Consequently, for GIs to diffuse effectively, they must be supported to translate across both sectoral regimes (e.g. energy) and broader meta-regimes (e.g. finance). This paper contributes to theory on the role of finance in sociotechnical transitions and the role of intermediaries in GI diffusion.},

note = {Funding Information: Fourth, even though the public sector has intervened, introducing new rule sets into the finance meta-regime to support small scale development, thus far this has been insufficient to drive widespread diffusion of CE. The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales have moved to address a shortage of capital investment for small scale ventures ( Fig. 2 ). In Scotland, for example, the Scottish Government-backed Energy Investment Fund operates as a secondary lender to supply small sums of capital and de-risk investment for private banks ( Cairns et al., 2020c ). Conversely, smaller scale projects receive limited finance support from the UK government. Publisher Copyright: © 2022},

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@article{d097a18870614610b886c7e6d3d682cc,

title = {Academia–industry ties under scrutiny},

author = {Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1038/s41558-022-01522-2},

issn = {1758-678X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-11-10},

journal = {Nature Climate Change},

publisher = {Springer Nature},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2ad0743cb00a41a6831de4f48485c4d4,

title = {A framework for environmental evaluation of business models: A test case of solar energy in Kenya},

author = {Velma Mukoro and Maria Sharmina and Alejandro Gallego-schmid},

doi = {10.1016/j.spc.2022.09.007},

issn = {2352-5509},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-11-01},

journal = {Sustainable Production and Consumption},

volume = {34},

pages = {202–218},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Business models have the potential to deliver environmental sustainability in companies through innovative approaches to creating and delivering value. Business model innovation has been shown as a means to integrate circular economy principles into companies' operations. Several frameworks have been created to guide the transition from traditional to circular business models. However, there is a need for a framework that quantitatively evaluates business models to inform the transition based on their relative environmental performance in creating and delivering value. This study presents a new framework for evaluating the Environmental performance of Business Models (EBuM). The EBuM framework consists of sequential steps of life cycle assessment, participatory decision-making, and business model innovation. It enables organisations to integrate environmental considerations in their decisions and operations. The framework was applied to solar energy companies in Kenya. Life cycle assessments of the photovoltaic systems were conducted through the lens of business models of participating companies to provide insights into the hotspots of environmental impacts. Each company participated in two workshops to evaluate the potential of business model innovation in mitigating the environmental impacts of their activities. Findings showed that the environmental impacts of incumbent business models were generally higher than of their circular economy-oriented substitutes. Business model innovation could, for example, lower the climate change potential by 12 %–55 % and the metal depletion potential by 40 %–70 %. While the framework has been applied to solar energy companies, it can be applied to other business models in different sectors.},

note = {Funding Information: This study is funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{25bd44a0c36840b484d6c7e96bc99c26,

title = {A review of business models for access to affordable and clean energy in Africa: Do they deliver social, economic, and environmental value?},

author = {Velma Mukoro and Maria Sharmina and Alejandro Gallego-schmid},

doi = {10.1016/j.erss.2022.102530},

issn = {2214-6296},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-01},

journal = {Energy Research & Social Science},

volume = {88},

pages = {102530},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Africa has the potential to base a significant proportion of its development on renewable energy. Business models will be instrumental to this end because they are among the key drivers of the energy sector’s growth. This study performs the first systematic literature review of renewable energy business models in Africa to assess their types, why they are adopted, and factors affecting their viability. It also investigates whether the value created translates into social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Findings show that existing research has focused on the technical, social, and economic dimensions of renewable energy business models, mainly for energy access, without analysing their environmental sustainability. The commercial viability of the business models for solar home systems and pico systems in the reviewed studies rests largely on reducing their upfront cost through innovative payment plans for customers. The commercial viability of mini-grids depends on demand stimulation, for example through using electricity in income-generating ventures. Incentivising the adoption of energy-using products further increases the average consumption and revenue per user and, hence, the viability of mini-grids. Unaffordability, unmet energy needs, low demand for electricity, lack of finance, business models that are unfamiliar to customers, and market immaturity are the common challenges to energy access in Africa. Our review shows that research in this area needs to integrate environmental sustainability for a more holistic approach to informing decision-making. The synthesised evidence provided here can be used by policymakers to understand the needs of Africa’s renewable energy sector across the three sustainability domains. KeywordsEnergy access; social value; economic value; environmental sustainability; circular economy.},

note = {Funding Information: This study was funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

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@article{e997e92a44ce43d9bfaa60838d3a7264,

title = {Impact of Energy Imbalance on Financial Rewards in Peer-to-Peer Electricity Markets},

author = {Timothy Capper and Jaise Kuriakose and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3176614},

issn = {2169-3536},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-22},

journal = {IEEE Access},

volume = {10},

pages = {55235–55254},

publisher = {IEEE},

abstract = {Peer-to-peer electricity markets allow small producers and consumers of energy to trade directly. Energy imbalances, the difference between predicted and actual supply or demand for energy, may be higher in peer-to-peer markets than in traditional markets. High energy imbalances could increase the total cost of the electricity system, both inside and outside the peer-to-peer market, because the system operator must take expensive corrective actions at short notice. This paper examines the effect of imbalance charges on peer-to-peer electricity markets. A new symmetric imbalance charge mechanism is proposed which penalises market participants irrespective of the direction of their energy imbalance. The symmetric imbalance charge mechanism provides a financial incentive for peer-to-peer market participants to reduce their energy imbalances. For illustrative purposes, this paper uses a simulation to show that the current imbalance charge mechanism in Great Britain does not provide a financial incentive for peer-to-peer market participants to reduce their energy imbalances. The imbalance charge is close to zero under the current British imbalance charge mechanism when averaged over hundreds of settlement periods or more. When subject to the symmetric imbalance charge mechanism, the simulation shows that peer-to-peer market participants are given a strong financial incentive to reduce their energy imbalances. Finally, this paper discussed how the symmetric imbalance charge mechanism could be implemented only within the bounds of a peer-to-peer market, or within the whole electricity system.},

note = {Funding Information: This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through the Power Networks Centre for Doctoral Training under Grant EP/L016141/1. Publisher Copyright: © 2013 IEEE.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{e997e92a44ce43d9bfaa60838d3a7264b,

title = {Impact of Energy Imbalance on Financial Rewards in Peer-to-Peer Electricity Markets},

author = {Timothy Capper and Jaise Kuriakose and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3176614},

issn = {2169-3536},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-22},

journal = {IEEE Access},

volume = {10},

pages = {55235–55254},

publisher = {IEEE},

abstract = {Peer-to-peer electricity markets allow small producers and consumers of energy to trade directly. Energy imbalances, the difference between predicted and actual supply or demand for energy, may be higher in peer-to-peer markets than in traditional markets. High energy imbalances could increase the total cost of the electricity system, both inside and outside the peer-to-peer market, because the system operator must take expensive corrective actions at short notice. This paper examines the effect of imbalance charges on peer-to-peer electricity markets. A new symmetric imbalance charge mechanism is proposed which penalises market participants irrespective of the direction of their energy imbalance. The symmetric imbalance charge mechanism provides a financial incentive for peer-to-peer market participants to reduce their energy imbalances. For illustrative purposes, this paper uses a simulation to show that the current imbalance charge mechanism in Great Britain does not provide a financial incentive for peer-to-peer market participants to reduce their energy imbalances. The imbalance charge is close to zero under the current British imbalance charge mechanism when averaged over hundreds of settlement periods or more. When subject to the symmetric imbalance charge mechanism, the simulation shows that peer-to-peer market participants are given a strong financial incentive to reduce their energy imbalances. Finally, this paper discussed how the symmetric imbalance charge mechanism could be implemented only within the bounds of a peer-to-peer market, or within the whole electricity system.},

note = {Funding Information: This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through the Power Networks Centre for Doctoral Training under Grant EP/L016141/1. Publisher Copyright: © 2013 IEEE.},

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@article{bf66da13b556423d80dee7f7da83a724,

title = {Local energy businesses in the United Kingdom: Clusters and localism determinants based on financial ratios},

author = {Fabián Fuentes González and Janette Webb and Maria Sharmina and Matthew Hannon and Timothy Braunholtz-speight and Dimitrios Pappas},

doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2021.122119},

issn = {0360-5442},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-15},

journal = {Energy},

volume = {239},

pages = {122119},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {This paper presents the first financial analysis of the United Kingdom's local energy business sector. This analysis relies on financial ratios and degrees of localism as inputs for descriptive statistics, cluster, and canonical discriminant analyses. Our findings suggest that privately-owned energy businesses, typically with limited commitments to localities, account for the great majority of sectoral assets and turnover, and are in comparatively good financial condition. Highly-local energy businesses typically have low profitability and high reliance on debt. The latter is the key variable differentiating them from other less local energy businesses. Moreover, we find financial commonalities within different groups of local energy businesses, which correlate with their specific level of localism. In the context of increasing digitalisation in energy markets, more technological innovation may help strengthen local energy businesses' revenue sources and value creation. Further research is needed in terms of investability, specific financing terms and conditions, and geographical aspects of value creation, retention, and delivery to localities. This work can improve the understanding of sectoral dynamics and development needs, with value for policy making to incentivise investment in this emerging sector.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{bf66da13b556423d80dee7f7da83a724b,

title = {Local energy businesses in the United Kingdom: Clusters and localism determinants based on financial ratios},

author = {Fabián Fuentes González and Janette Webb and Maria Sharmina and Matthew Hannon and Timothy Braunholtz-speight and Dimitrios Pappas},

doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2021.122119},

issn = {0360-5442},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-15},

journal = {Energy},

volume = {239},

pages = {122119},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {This paper presents the first financial analysis of the United Kingdom's local energy business sector. This analysis relies on financial ratios and degrees of localism as inputs for descriptive statistics, cluster, and canonical discriminant analyses. Our findings suggest that privately-owned energy businesses, typically with limited commitments to localities, account for the great majority of sectoral assets and turnover, and are in comparatively good financial condition. Highly-local energy businesses typically have low profitability and high reliance on debt. The latter is the key variable differentiating them from other less local energy businesses. Moreover, we find financial commonalities within different groups of local energy businesses, which correlate with their specific level of localism. In the context of increasing digitalisation in energy markets, more technological innovation may help strengthen local energy businesses' revenue sources and value creation. Further research is needed in terms of investability, specific financing terms and conditions, and geographical aspects of value creation, retention, and delivery to localities. This work can improve the understanding of sectoral dynamics and development needs, with value for policy making to incentivise investment in this emerging sector.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{f7ed713d7e8346dd9d7b0237ec9d16b0,

title = {Life cycle assessment of renewable energy in Africa},

author = {Velma Mukoro and Alejandro Gallego Schmid and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.spc.2021.08.006},

issn = {2352-5509},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-10-01},

journal = {Sustainable Production and Consumption},

volume = {28},

pages = {1314–1332},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Renewable energy capacity in Africa is expected to reach 169.4 GW by 2040 from 48.5 GW in 2019. The growth of the sector necessitates a re-evaluation of the environmental impacts of renewable energy on the continent to inform mitigation decisions. This study presents the first literature review of the life cycle assessments of renewable energy in Africa and gives an in-depth analysis of environmental issues that are specific to Africa’s renewable energy sector. It performs a systematic assessment of literature on the topic, examines the state-of-the-art, and critically evaluates environmental impacts on the continent, implications of methodological choices, gaps, challenges, and compares the findings with other regions. Climate change has been extensively researched in the studies, due to decarbonisation being among policy priorities. Other relevant impact categories such as resource depletion in non-closed loop systems, ecotoxicity from recycling emissions, or ecosystem degradation from landfill leachate are not fully explored despite the end-of-life being potentially a major burden for the continent. Choice of functional units and multifunctional processes give wide variations in the magnitude of environmental impacts for similar technologies and, therefore, have implications for decision-making. For example, similar biodiesel jatropha systems with energy- and mass-based functional units differ by around 16% in their climate change potentials. To ensure that life cycle assessment results apply to mitigation decisions in Africa, studies should consider methodological issues such as lack of transparency in inventories, incomplete coverage of life cycle stages and impact categories, and missing databases adapted for the African context.},

note = {Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Institution of Chemical Engineers},

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pubstate = {published},

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@article{f7ed713d7e8346dd9d7b0237ec9d16b0b,

title = {Life cycle assessment of renewable energy in Africa},

author = {Velma Mukoro and Alejandro Gallego Schmid and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.spc.2021.08.006},

issn = {2352-5509},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-10-01},

journal = {Sustainable Production and Consumption},

volume = {28},

pages = {1314–1332},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Renewable energy capacity in Africa is expected to reach 169.4 GW by 2040 from 48.5 GW in 2019. The growth of the sector necessitates a re-evaluation of the environmental impacts of renewable energy on the continent to inform mitigation decisions. This study presents the first literature review of the life cycle assessments of renewable energy in Africa and gives an in-depth analysis of environmental issues that are specific to Africa’s renewable energy sector. It performs a systematic assessment of literature on the topic, examines the state-of-the-art, and critically evaluates environmental impacts on the continent, implications of methodological choices, gaps, challenges, and compares the findings with other regions. Climate change has been extensively researched in the studies, due to decarbonisation being among policy priorities. Other relevant impact categories such as resource depletion in non-closed loop systems, ecotoxicity from recycling emissions, or ecosystem degradation from landfill leachate are not fully explored despite the end-of-life being potentially a major burden for the continent. Choice of functional units and multifunctional processes give wide variations in the magnitude of environmental impacts for similar technologies and, therefore, have implications for decision-making. For example, similar biodiesel jatropha systems with energy- and mass-based functional units differ by around 16% in their climate change potentials. To ensure that life cycle assessment results apply to mitigation decisions in Africa, studies should consider methodological issues such as lack of transparency in inventories, incomplete coverage of life cycle stages and impact categories, and missing databases adapted for the African context.},

note = {Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Institution of Chemical Engineers},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{e244a2e617084250882b08858157e8db,

title = {Single-use plastic and COVID-19 in the NHS: Barriers and opportunities},

author = {Xiaocheng Hu and Roz Davies and Karyn Morrissey and Richard Smith and Lora Fleming and Maria Sharmina and Rebecca St Clair and Peter Hopkinson},

doi = {10.4081/jphr.2021.2483},

issn = {2279-9036},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-08-01},

journal = {Journal of Public Health Research},

publisher = {PAGEpress},

abstract = {Background: Single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) has been essential to protect healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, intensified use of PPE could counteract the previous efforts made by the UK NHS Trusts to reduce their plastic footprint.Design and methods: In this study, we conducted an in-depth case study in the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust to investigate plastic-related issues in a typical NHS Trust before, during and after the pandemic. We first collected hospital routine data on both procurement and usage of single-use PPE (including face masks, aprons, and gowns) for the time period between April 2019 and August 2020. We then interviewed 12 hospital staff across a wide remit, from senior managers to consultants, nurses and catering staff, to gather qualitative evidence on the overall impact of COVID-19 on the Trust regarding plastic use.Results: We found that although COVID-19 had increased the procurement and the use of single-use plastic substantially during the pandemic, it did not appear to have changed the focus of the hospital on implementing measures to reduce single-use plastic in the long term. We then discussed the barriers and opportunities to tackle plastic issues within the NHS in the post-COVID world, for example, a circular healthcare model.Conclusion: investment is needed in technologies and processes that can recycle and reuse a wider range of single-use plastics, and innovate sustainable alternatives to replace single-use consumables used in the NHS to construct a fully operational closed material loop healthcare system.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{e244a2e617084250882b08858157e8dbb,

title = {Single-use plastic and COVID-19 in the NHS: Barriers and opportunities},

author = {Xiaocheng Hu and Roz Davies and Karyn Morrissey and Richard Smith and Lora Fleming and Maria Sharmina and Rebecca St Clair and Peter Hopkinson},

doi = {10.4081/jphr.2021.2483},

issn = {2279-9036},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-08-01},

journal = {Journal of Public Health Research},

publisher = {PAGEpress},

abstract = {Background: Single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) has been essential to protect healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, intensified use of PPE could counteract the previous efforts made by the UK NHS Trusts to reduce their plastic footprint.Design and methods: In this study, we conducted an in-depth case study in the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust to investigate plastic-related issues in a typical NHS Trust before, during and after the pandemic. We first collected hospital routine data on both procurement and usage of single-use PPE (including face masks, aprons, and gowns) for the time period between April 2019 and August 2020. We then interviewed 12 hospital staff across a wide remit, from senior managers to consultants, nurses and catering staff, to gather qualitative evidence on the overall impact of COVID-19 on the Trust regarding plastic use.Results: We found that although COVID-19 had increased the procurement and the use of single-use plastic substantially during the pandemic, it did not appear to have changed the focus of the hospital on implementing measures to reduce single-use plastic in the long term. We then discussed the barriers and opportunities to tackle plastic issues within the NHS in the post-COVID world, for example, a circular healthcare model.Conclusion: investment is needed in technologies and processes that can recycle and reuse a wider range of single-use plastics, and innovate sustainable alternatives to replace single-use consumables used in the NHS to construct a fully operational closed material loop healthcare system.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{0014ec7ce3094223b3577ef4b48cdb6f,

title = {The long term future for community energy in Great Britain: a co-created vision of a thriving sector and steps towards realising it},

author = {Tim Braunholtz-Speight and Carly McLachlan and Sarah Mander and Matthew Hannon and Jeff Hardy and Iain Cairns and Maria Sharmina and Edward Manderson},

doi = {10.1016/j.erss.2021.102044},

issn = {2214-6296},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-16},

journal = {Energy Research & Social Science},

volume = {78},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Explorations of the longer-term potential for community energy to contribute to the energy transition can shape policy and practice today. However, much community energy research in Great Britain is currently, and understandably, focussed on short-term responses to the crisis in the sector induced by recent shifts in policy support. Therefore, we held a series of visioning and backcasting workshops with community energy practitioners and other stakeholders, to co-create a vision of a long term future where there is a thriving community energy sector.This paper presents the results of those workshops. Using the concept of business models to interrogate how community energy could be structured in the future, we find that the sector could diversify from its current focus on renewable electricity generation and energy efficiency, into new areas of the energy system: demand-side flexibility, mobility and heat. We also see potential for a Community Energy Confederation to help bridge the gap between the strengths of local organising, and the opportunities offered by larger scale activities. We identify the importance of actions by government – both at national and local level – to realising this vision, in combination with the efforts of the community energy sector itself of course. We conclude that our research highlights the need for change in the institutional and spatial character of community energy; the sector’s pragmatic attitude to the technological aspects of the energy transition; and its focus on community energy’s role in delivering social and environmental co-benefits, in line with the concept of a just transition.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{0014ec7ce3094223b3577ef4b48cdb6fb,

title = {The long term future for community energy in Great Britain: a co-created vision of a thriving sector and steps towards realising it},

author = {Tim Braunholtz-Speight and Carly McLachlan and Sarah Mander and Matthew Hannon and Jeff Hardy and Iain Cairns and Maria Sharmina and Edward Manderson},

doi = {10.1016/j.erss.2021.102044},

issn = {2214-6296},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-16},

journal = {Energy Research & Social Science},

volume = {78},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Explorations of the longer-term potential for community energy to contribute to the energy transition can shape policy and practice today. However, much community energy research in Great Britain is currently, and understandably, focussed on short-term responses to the crisis in the sector induced by recent shifts in policy support. Therefore, we held a series of visioning and backcasting workshops with community energy practitioners and other stakeholders, to co-create a vision of a long term future where there is a thriving community energy sector.This paper presents the results of those workshops. Using the concept of business models to interrogate how community energy could be structured in the future, we find that the sector could diversify from its current focus on renewable electricity generation and energy efficiency, into new areas of the energy system: demand-side flexibility, mobility and heat. We also see potential for a Community Energy Confederation to help bridge the gap between the strengths of local organising, and the opportunities offered by larger scale activities. We identify the importance of actions by government – both at national and local level – to realising this vision, in combination with the efforts of the community energy sector itself of course. We conclude that our research highlights the need for change in the institutional and spatial character of community energy; the sector’s pragmatic attitude to the technological aspects of the energy transition; and its focus on community energy’s role in delivering social and environmental co-benefits, in line with the concept of a just transition.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{c3da5117507a408a92875afc888da66c,

title = {Seafood businesses’ resilience can benefit from circular economy principles},

author = {Carly Fletcher and Rebecca St Clair and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1038/s43016-021-00262-4},

issn = {2662-1355},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-04-21},

journal = {Nature Food},

number = {2},

pages = {228–232},

publisher = {Springer Nature},

abstract = {Seafood is expected to become increasingly important in future food systems and healthy diets. This transition will require the seafood sector to adapt business practices to respond to environmental and social challenges while increasing resilience. Here, we develop the Circular Economy-Resilience Framework for Business Models (CERF-BM) and, through exploring current literature, apply this framework to business models in the seafood sector. We find that the majority of business models incorporate elements of circular economy and resilience in a limited way. The reviewed business models often fail to consider other supply chain actors and, instead, focus on the business itself and its customers. The CERF-BM helps to elucidate this disconnect through assessing business models against company-level actions towards circularity in combination with systems-level resilience mechanisms. To reap the synergies between the circular economy and resilience mechanisms, seafood businesses could extract more value from organic waste and dematerialise their business models.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{c3da5117507a408a92875afc888da66cb,

title = {Seafood businesses’ resilience can benefit from circular economy principles},

author = {Carly Fletcher and Rebecca St Clair and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1038/s43016-021-00262-4},

issn = {2662-1355},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-04-21},

journal = {Nature Food},

number = {2},

pages = {228–232},

publisher = {Springer Nature},

abstract = {Seafood is expected to become increasingly important in future food systems and healthy diets. This transition will require the seafood sector to adapt business practices to respond to environmental and social challenges while increasing resilience. Here, we develop the Circular Economy-Resilience Framework for Business Models (CERF-BM) and, through exploring current literature, apply this framework to business models in the seafood sector. We find that the majority of business models incorporate elements of circular economy and resilience in a limited way. The reviewed business models often fail to consider other supply chain actors and, instead, focus on the business itself and its customers. The CERF-BM helps to elucidate this disconnect through assessing business models against company-level actions towards circularity in combination with systems-level resilience mechanisms. To reap the synergies between the circular economy and resilience mechanisms, seafood businesses could extract more value from organic waste and dematerialise their business models.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ae2f57db279f45f3b236fb4986b46e9b,

title = {A framework for assessing the circularity and technological maturity of plastic waste management strategies in hospitals},

author = {C. A. Fletcher and Rebecca St Clair and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127169},

issn = {0959-6526},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-04-19},

journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},

volume = {306},

number = {127169},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Consumer single-use plastic waste has received much attention from the public, policy-makers and researchers. However, the management of such waste in medical settings has been less well examined. This article reviews existing evidence on waste management strategies within hospitals, with a particular focus on single-use plastics. The article develops the ‘Waste Hierarchy-Technology Readiness Levels’ framework and assesses each waste management strategy against it, indicating the maturity of the technology and the strategy’s position in the Waste Hierarchy, in addition to its relative adherence to circular economy principles. Findings show that currently dominant waste management strategies include disposal to landfill, incineration and recycling, while alternative strategies include reduction, reuse, bioremediation and chemical recycling. Most strategies reviewed are at a high level of technology readiness and at a low level on the Waste Hierarchy, demonstrating that hospital waste management strategies tend to be based on mature technologies and suggesting a need for more innovative, circular economy solutions. Exceptions, which are at a high level on the Waste Hierarchy but at an early stage of development, include bioremediation using microbial action and chemical recycling using hydrophilic solvents. This review highlights a disparity between the levels of alignment with the circular economy principles in waste management strategies of developed and developing nations, suggesting a need for both international collaboration and strategies sensitive to specific regional contexts.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ae2f57db279f45f3b236fb4986b46e9bb,

title = {A framework for assessing the circularity and technological maturity of plastic waste management strategies in hospitals},

author = {C. A. Fletcher and Rebecca St Clair and Maria Sharmina},

doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127169},

issn = {0959-6526},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-04-19},

journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production},

volume = {306},

number = {127169},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Consumer single-use plastic waste has received much attention from the public, policy-makers and researchers. However, the management of such waste in medical settings has been less well examined. This article reviews existing evidence on waste management strategies within hospitals, with a particular focus on single-use plastics. The article develops the ‘Waste Hierarchy-Technology Readiness Levels’ framework and assesses each waste management strategy against it, indicating the maturity of the technology and the strategy’s position in the Waste Hierarchy, in addition to its relative adherence to circular economy principles. Findings show that currently dominant waste management strategies include disposal to landfill, incineration and recycling, while alternative strategies include reduction, reuse, bioremediation and chemical recycling. Most strategies reviewed are at a high level of technology readiness and at a low level on the Waste Hierarchy, demonstrating that hospital waste management strategies tend to be based on mature technologies and suggesting a need for more innovative, circular economy solutions. Exceptions, which are at a high level on the Waste Hierarchy but at an early stage of development, include bioremediation using microbial action and chemical recycling using hydrophilic solvents. This review highlights a disparity between the levels of alignment with the circular economy principles in waste management strategies of developed and developing nations, suggesting a need for both international collaboration and strategies sensitive to specific regional contexts.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{62c35a1331a44da098951c69499ec6c9,

title = {Characterising a local energy business sector in the United Kingdom: participants, revenue sources, and estimates of localism and smartness},

author = {Fabian Fuentes Gonzalez and Janette Webb and Maria Sharmina and Matthew Hannon and Dimitrios Pappas and Margaret Tingey},

doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2021.120045},

issn = {0360-5442},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-02-03},

journal = {Energy},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Local and decentralised energy initiatives increasingly contribute to decarbonising energy systems. This trend is facilitated by emergence of new actors, ownership modes, business practices, and value sources in energy markets. However, there is no systematic account of the businesses which comprise this emerging sector in the United Kingdom, and there are no standardised criteria for what may constitute a “local”, potentially “smart”, sector. Through development, and descriptive statistical analysis, of a database of legally-constituted energy businesses, we therefore provide a first characterisation of the local energy business sector in the United Kingdom. We develop qualitative indicators to categorise businesses according to their position in a matrix showing degrees of “localism” and “smartness”. Our findings reveal an emergent sector comprising diverse organisations, including those with limited energy market experience. Embryonic business innovations are being translated into various revenue sources. However, most businesses have as yet made limited use of digital systems for smart operation; likewise, despite distinctive forms of localism, many aspects remain to be addressed. This finding implies opportunities for this sector to create value through more extensive orientation to localism and smartness. Further research is needed, using more detailed surveys of a representative sample of local energy businesses.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{b7497cbe411449a0a7787d34548f8a3a,

title = {Decarbonising the critical sectors of aviation, shipping, road freight and industry to limit warming to 1.5-2 degrees C},

author = {Maria Sharmina and O Y Edelenbosch and C Wilson and R Freeman and D E H J Gernaat and Paul Gilbert and Alice Larkin and E W Littleton and Michael Traut and D P van Vuuren and N E Vaughan and Ruth Wood and C Le Quéré},

doi = {10.1080/14693062.2020.1831430},

issn = {1469-3062},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-24},

journal = {Climate Policy},

volume = {21},

number = {4},

pages = {455–474},

publisher = {Earthscan},

abstract = {Limiting warming to well below 2°Crequires rapid and complete decarbonisation of energy systems. We compare economy-wide modelling of 1.5°C and 2°C scenarios with sector-focused analyses of four critical sectors that are difficult to decarbonise: aviation, shipping, road freight transport, and industry. We develop and apply a novel framework to analyse and track mitigation progress in these sectors. We find that emission reductions in the 1.5°C and 2°C scenarios of the IMAGE model come from deep cuts in CO2 intensities and lower energy intensities, with minimal demand reductions in these sectors’ activity. We identify a range of additional measures and policy levers that are not explicitly captured in modelled scenarios but could contribute significant emission reductions in the four sectors. These are demand reduction options, and include less air travel (aviation), reduced transportation of fossil fuels (shipping), more locally produced goods combined with high load factors (road freight), and a shift to a circular economy (industry). We discuss the challenges of reducing demand both for economy-wide modelling and for policy. Based on our sectoral analysis framework, we suggest modelling improvements and policy recommendations, calling on the relevant UN agencies to start tracking mitigation progress through monitoring key elements of the framework (CO2 intensity, energy efficiency, demand for sectoral activity, as well as the underlying drivers), as a matter of urgency.},

note = {Funding Information: The authors are grateful to the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for funding this research (grant number OJEU - CR16131BEIS). Additionally, E.W.L. acknowledges support from the Natural Environment Research Council (grant number NE/P019951/1). Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{b7497cbe411449a0a7787d34548f8a3ab,

title = {Decarbonising the critical sectors of aviation, shipping, road freight and industry to limit warming to 1.5-2 degrees C},

author = {Maria Sharmina and O Y Edelenbosch and C Wilson and R Freeman and D E H J Gernaat and Paul Gilbert and Alice Larkin and E W Littleton and Michael Traut and D P van Vuuren and N E Vaughan and Ruth Wood and C Le Quéré},

doi = {10.1080/14693062.2020.1831430},

issn = {1469-3062},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-24},

journal = {Climate Policy},

volume = {21},

number = {4},

pages = {455–474},

publisher = {Earthscan},

abstract = {Limiting warming to well below 2°Crequires rapid and complete decarbonisation of energy systems. We compare economy-wide modelling of 1.5°C and 2°C scenarios with sector-focused analyses of four critical sectors that are difficult to decarbonise: aviation, shipping, road freight transport, and industry. We develop and apply a novel framework to analyse and track mitigation progress in these sectors. We find that emission reductions in the 1.5°C and 2°C scenarios of the IMAGE model come from deep cuts in CO2 intensities and lower energy intensities, with minimal demand reductions in these sectors’ activity. We identify a range of additional measures and policy levers that are not explicitly captured in modelled scenarios but could contribute significant emission reductions in the four sectors. These are demand reduction options, and include less air travel (aviation), reduced transportation of fossil fuels (shipping), more locally produced goods combined with high load factors (road freight), and a shift to a circular economy (industry). We discuss the challenges of reducing demand both for economy-wide modelling and for policy. Based on our sectoral analysis framework, we suggest modelling improvements and policy recommendations, calling on the relevant UN agencies to start tracking mitigation progress through monitoring key elements of the framework (CO2 intensity, energy efficiency, demand for sectoral activity, as well as the underlying drivers), as a matter of urgency.},

note = {Funding Information: The authors are grateful to the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for funding this research (grant number OJEU - CR16131BEIS). Additionally, E.W.L. acknowledges support from the Natural Environment Research Council (grant number NE/P019951/1). Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}