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Dairy products play a significant role in the human diet, but they are often associated with high freshwater resource depletion. In Italy, the dairy sector represents more than 12% of the total turnover of the agri-food sector. Trentino Alto Adige is the first Italian region in terms of number of dairy farms, but it does not register a quantitatively consistent dairy production. Notwithstanding, it is characterized mostly by small-scale farms whose strengths are the Protected Designations of Origin and typical mountain productions. The present study aims at: (i) accounting for the virtual water VW of the main dairy products (milk, butter and cheese) produced in Trentino Alto Adige; (ii) estimating the renewable water resources based on the water flow assessment of the study area; (iii) assessing water sustainability comparing the virtual water consumption of the dairy sector at a regional level to the water availability. The findings show that the consumptive virtual water related to dairy production represents about 1% of the water availability in Trentino Alto Adige. Italy’s domestic dairy production is expanding to meet the growing demand, but the expansion of dairy farming in water-stressed regions should be avoided, preferring instead suitable mountain regions where small-scale farms represent a lively entrepreneurial substrate.
Pier Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Benedetta Coluccia; Yari Vecchio; Fabian Capitanio. Evaluation of Virtual Water and Water Sustainability of Dairy Production in Trentino Alto Adige (North-Eastern Italy). Animals 2021, 11, 1047 .
AMA StylePier Miglietta, Federica De Leo, Benedetta Coluccia, Yari Vecchio, Fabian Capitanio. Evaluation of Virtual Water and Water Sustainability of Dairy Production in Trentino Alto Adige (North-Eastern Italy). Animals. 2021; 11 (4):1047.
Chicago/Turabian StylePier Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Benedetta Coluccia; Yari Vecchio; Fabian Capitanio. 2021. "Evaluation of Virtual Water and Water Sustainability of Dairy Production in Trentino Alto Adige (North-Eastern Italy)." Animals 11, no. 4: 1047.
Polyethylenterephtalate (PET) is the preferred packaging material in the bottled water industry and represents the main cause of waste production. This work investigated the drinking water consumption habits, with particular reference to PET-bottled water, of people living in the province of Lecce (Apulia Region, Southern Italy) by age and geographical groups. Their perception about the quality of tap water was also explored. The survey was performed by the administration of a questionnaire to 4137 citizens. Bottled mineral water was consumed by about the 90.4% of respondents with an average consumption of 387.7 L/year per capita (375.2 L/year in PET-bottles, 12.5 L/year in glass bottles). Public supply system was used by the 61.5% of respondents with an average consumption of 169.4 L/year per capita. The consumption of tap water was negatively related to the perception of its bad quality and the residence in a big city (Lecce); while it was positively associated with the age group ≤16 years old. Effective communications strategies must be developed in order to promote the consumption of tap water and implement good practice of circular economy.
Isabella Gambino; Francesco Bagordo; Benedetta Coluccia; Tiziana Grassi; Giovanni Filippis; Prisco Piscitelli; Biagio Galante; Federica Leo. PET-Bottled Water Consumption in View of a Circular Economy: The Case Study of Salento (South Italy). Sustainability 2020, 12, 7988 .
AMA StyleIsabella Gambino, Francesco Bagordo, Benedetta Coluccia, Tiziana Grassi, Giovanni Filippis, Prisco Piscitelli, Biagio Galante, Federica Leo. PET-Bottled Water Consumption in View of a Circular Economy: The Case Study of Salento (South Italy). Sustainability. 2020; 12 (19):7988.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIsabella Gambino; Francesco Bagordo; Benedetta Coluccia; Tiziana Grassi; Giovanni Filippis; Prisco Piscitelli; Biagio Galante; Federica Leo. 2020. "PET-Bottled Water Consumption in View of a Circular Economy: The Case Study of Salento (South Italy)." Sustainability 12, no. 19: 7988.
The problem of food insecurity is growing across the world, including economically developed countries. In Europe, the question is not just about the total supply of foods, but it includes even the accessibility of prices and their nutritional and qualitative adequacy. In this context many countries recognize the importance of trade policies to ensure adequate levels of food security. The aim of this work was to analyze the impact of trade openness on the level of food security in European countries, using a dynamic panel analysis with the generalized method of moments (GMM) approach. We selected two different indicators of food security (average protein supply, average dietary energy supply adequacy) capable of offering information both on the quantity and on the nutritional quality of the food supply. In order to improve the robustness of the empirical results, we developed three different regressions, with three trade openness indicators (trade openness, tariff, globalization) for each food security indicator. The results showed that commercial opening has, on average, a statistically significant net positive impact on the food security of European countries. Additional results indicate that also economic development, together with the importance of the agricultural sector, can improve food security levels.
Giulio Fusco; Benedetta Coluccia; Federica De Leo. Effect of Trade Openness on Food Security in the EU: A Dynamic Panel Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1 .
AMA StyleGiulio Fusco, Benedetta Coluccia, Federica De Leo. Effect of Trade Openness on Food Security in the EU: A Dynamic Panel Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (12):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulio Fusco; Benedetta Coluccia; Federica De Leo. 2020. "Effect of Trade Openness on Food Security in the EU: A Dynamic Panel Analysis." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 12: 1.
Agriculture plays a key role in providing a wide range of ecosystem services, such as food, feed, fiber and biofuel, thus taking part in the economic development of countries. On the other hand, this sector also gives rise to negative externalities. The eco-efficiency has been considered as a meaningful index for assessing how efficient economic activities are in terms of resource-use and environmental pressures: measuring eco-efficiency provides policy makers with important information for developing policies focused on sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources in the agricultural sector. In this context, sustainable development is now one of the most important objectives of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that has a key role in facing the challenges of the new paradigm of sustainability of agriculture. In this direction, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the eco-efficiency of the Italian agricultural sector, as an index useful for emphasizing the differences among some national geographical areas. This paper tries to fill the lack of scientific studies on agricultural eco-efficiency in Italy, despite the strategic role played by Italy in Europe. For this purpose, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology was used, focusing on the integration between agricultural productivity and resource conservation, in order to develop a support tool for policy makers and managers. The analysis had shown a better orientation in saving resources for the Southern Regions and a greater orientation in productivity for the Northern Regions. Overall, Italy seems to have a good capacity for sustainable management of agricultural resources although there is still space for improvement. In this regard, the measurement of eco-efficiency provides a useful index for policy makers to achieve better performances in terms of agricultural sustainability. This means that CAP subsidies should be granted in exchange for specific environmental externalities provided by farmers as a result of more ecologically friendly management with a land use planning avoiding the depleting of Ecosystem Services rich areas, allowing for the achievement of a balance between economic growth and ecosystem protection. Although the paper has expanded the literature on agricultural eco-efficiency, this work has some limitations that could serve as a reference for future studies that can include other ecological variables such as the provision of some ecosystem services that can be enhanced or impacted by agricultural development. Finally, the challenge to realize sustainable agriculture can represent a long-term guarantee of food security as well as societal well-being.
Benedetta Coluccia; Donatella Valente; Giulio Fusco; Federica De Leo; Donatella Porrini. Assessing agricultural eco-efficiency in Italian Regions. Ecological Indicators 2020, 116, 106483 .
AMA StyleBenedetta Coluccia, Donatella Valente, Giulio Fusco, Federica De Leo, Donatella Porrini. Assessing agricultural eco-efficiency in Italian Regions. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 116 ():106483.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBenedetta Coluccia; Donatella Valente; Giulio Fusco; Federica De Leo; Donatella Porrini. 2020. "Assessing agricultural eco-efficiency in Italian Regions." Ecological Indicators 116, no. : 106483.
The term “water-energy nexus” has remarkable implications in the sustainable management of water resources. The aim of this paper is to analyse the production of electricity, from an economic and technical perspective, using the water footprint and economic water productivity approaches. After comparing the percentage of contribution of fossil and renewable sources to the production of the electricity sector, the study then compares the percentage of contribution of fossil and renewable sources to the consumptive water footprint of Italian electricity production for each year analysed. Furthermore, distinguishing between renewable and fossil sources, the paper proceeds to assess the total consumptive water footprint generated by each energy source for the electricity production in Italy during the period 2007–2016. The study represents an original contribution for the identification of policies and managerial implications in the context of the energy sector, serving as a practical guide. The results, in fact, confirm the need for scientific and practical efforts to manage electricity production in an integrated perspective and provide a first glance at addressing the optimal design of energy source mix in the Italian regulation context, contributing to reducing the water footprint, without ignoring the economic aspects.
Pier Paolo Miglietta; Domenico Morrone; Federica De Leo. The Water Footprint Assessment of Electricity Production: An Overview of the Economic-Water-Energy Nexus in Italy. Sustainability 2018, 10, 228 .
AMA StylePier Paolo Miglietta, Domenico Morrone, Federica De Leo. The Water Footprint Assessment of Electricity Production: An Overview of the Economic-Water-Energy Nexus in Italy. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (1):228.
Chicago/Turabian StylePier Paolo Miglietta; Domenico Morrone; Federica De Leo. 2018. "The Water Footprint Assessment of Electricity Production: An Overview of the Economic-Water-Energy Nexus in Italy." Sustainability 10, no. 1: 228.
Water is an essential element for life, playing an important role in economic development, although it is threatened by negative externalities that do not make it available for everyone. The main purpose of this article is to offer insightful empirical evidence of the nexus between economic growth and water usage. In this article we investigate the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis using a country's water footprint as an indicator of water impact. Using linear and nonlinear models we estimate, through the ordinary least square, the relationship between water impact and gross national income (GNI) per capita for 94 Countries. Our study shows an N-shape curve, which does not confirm the EKC hypothesis, both for the relationship between Water Footprint per capita and GNI per capita and Grey Water Footprint per capita and GNI per capita. From this results, a number of recommendations can be provided to strengthen the water resources policies and management.
Pier Paolo Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Pierluigi Toma. Environmental Kuznets curve and the water footprint: an empirical analysis. Water and Environment Journal 2016, 31, 20 -30.
AMA StylePier Paolo Miglietta, Federica De Leo, Pierluigi Toma. Environmental Kuznets curve and the water footprint: an empirical analysis. Water and Environment Journal. 2016; 31 (1):20-30.
Chicago/Turabian StylePier Paolo Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Pierluigi Toma. 2016. "Environmental Kuznets curve and the water footprint: an empirical analysis." Water and Environment Journal 31, no. 1: 20-30.
The theme of the relationship between social media and sustainability has prompted many scholars to analyze the impact that “virtual information” has on the environment. This study empirically tests two models that examine the effects of cultural values and social media on environmental performance by considering different variables such as Social Media penetration, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and Environmental Performance Index. Two multiple linear regression models were employed to test the hypotheses on a sample of 30 European Countries.Empirical results, extensible to all of Europe, conclude that the cultural dimensions analyzed, as well as social media penetration, significantly influence environmental performance of European Countries when we execute a combined model.Social media are arguably an integral part of sustainability strategy and future research on IT and sustainability needs to take a more integrated approach. If we consider that social media have a positive effect on the environment it is easy to intuit that if governance implements effective policies to ensure social media access for everyone, real sustainable development could be achieved.
Federica De Leo; Ginevra Gravili; Pier Paolo Miglietta. Social Media and Environmental Sustainability: An Overview of European Countries. International Journal of Business and Management 2016, 11, 1 .
AMA StyleFederica De Leo, Ginevra Gravili, Pier Paolo Miglietta. Social Media and Environmental Sustainability: An Overview of European Countries. International Journal of Business and Management. 2016; 11 (6):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederica De Leo; Ginevra Gravili; Pier Paolo Miglietta. 2016. "Social Media and Environmental Sustainability: An Overview of European Countries." International Journal of Business and Management 11, no. 6: 1.
In this paper, we have explored the possibility of substituting traditional meat products with an alternative source of protein (insects) in order to reduce human pressure on water. Insects, in fact, could represent a good alternative source of quality proteins and nutrients and they are already a very popular component of the diet of one third of the world’s population in approximately 80% of countries. In the study, we have taken into account only two species of edible insects (Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio mealworms), because they are already commercially produced even in Western countries, and for this reason it is possible to find specific data in literature about their diets. We have used the water footprint (WF) as a reliable indicator to calculate the volume of water required for production and to compare different products. The final aim of the work is, in fact, to evaluate the WF of the production of edible insects with a focus on water consumption associated with protein content, in order to make a comparison with other animal protein sources. We have demonstrated that, from a freshwater resource perspective, it is more efficient to obtain protein through mealworms rather than other traditional farmed animals.
Pier Paolo Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Marcello Ruberti; Stefania Massari. Mealworms for Food: A Water Footprint Perspective. Water 2015, 7, 6190 -6203.
AMA StylePier Paolo Miglietta, Federica De Leo, Marcello Ruberti, Stefania Massari. Mealworms for Food: A Water Footprint Perspective. Water. 2015; 7 (11):6190-6203.
Chicago/Turabian StylePier Paolo Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Marcello Ruberti; Stefania Massari. 2015. "Mealworms for Food: A Water Footprint Perspective." Water 7, no. 11: 6190-6203.
The main intent of this paper is to examine the potential typical wine production specialisation in some Italian geographical areas regarding virtual water consumption. The second purpose is to analyse and evaluate the water footprint data of two DOC wines from in vineyards in the North and South and Islands of Italy with the intent of showing that typical wines have a lower water footprint. The principle reason behind this can be found in the fact that the main component of virtual water tied to DOC or DOCG wine production is green water, as irrigation and fertilisation are banned for these categories of wine production. Moreover, growing good crops in the traditional areas of cultivation lets these typical wines be made in an even more sustainable way, in spite the fact that the yield of litres per hectares are limited to precise levels.
Pier Paolo Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Stefania Massari. Water footprint assessment of some Italian wines: a territorial perspective. International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making 2015, 1, 320 .
AMA StylePier Paolo Miglietta, Federica De Leo, Stefania Massari. Water footprint assessment of some Italian wines: a territorial perspective. International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making. 2015; 1 (4):320.
Chicago/Turabian StylePier Paolo Miglietta; Federica De Leo; Stefania Massari. 2015. "Water footprint assessment of some Italian wines: a territorial perspective." International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making 1, no. 4: 320.
Federica De Leo; Pier Paolo Miglietta. The Contribution of Environmental Indicators to the Sustainable Performance of Countries. The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice 2015, 11, 11 -26.
AMA StyleFederica De Leo, Pier Paolo Miglietta. The Contribution of Environmental Indicators to the Sustainable Performance of Countries. The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice. 2015; 11 (4):11-26.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederica De Leo; Pier Paolo Miglietta. 2015. "The Contribution of Environmental Indicators to the Sustainable Performance of Countries." The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice 11, no. 4: 11-26.
The capacity of marine and coastal ecosystems to sustain seafood production and consumption is seldom accounted for and is not included in the signals that guide economic development. In this article, we review estimates of marine and coastal areas aimed at sustaining catches for seafood consumption. The aim of this paper is the assessment of the interactions between the environment, intended as a set of ecological subsystems in natural equilibrium, including the marine ecosystem, and the process of fisheries systems. In particular we analyze fisheries in Italy, which is the third biggest economy and the greatest consumer of seafood in the Eurozone, conducting an in-depth analysis of the Marine Ecological Footprint (MEF) that evaluates the marine ecosystem area exploited by human populations to supply seafood and other marine products and services. The positioning of Italian fisheries shows a level of sustainability next to the threshold value. The analysis in the present study highlights the importance of absolute indicators in providing rough estimates about human dependence on ecological systems and recognizes the importance of those indicators, such as the Marine Footprint (expressed in % of Primary Production Required/Primary Production), in ensuring a high level of precision and accuracy in quantifying human activity impact on the environment.
Federica De Leo; Pier Paolo Miglietta; Slađana Pavlinović. Marine Ecological Footprint of Italian Mediterranean Fisheries. Sustainability 2014, 6, 7482 -7495.
AMA StyleFederica De Leo, Pier Paolo Miglietta, Slađana Pavlinović. Marine Ecological Footprint of Italian Mediterranean Fisheries. Sustainability. 2014; 6 (11):7482-7495.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederica De Leo; Pier Paolo Miglietta; Slađana Pavlinović. 2014. "Marine Ecological Footprint of Italian Mediterranean Fisheries." Sustainability 6, no. 11: 7482-7495.
The aim of this paper is to identify the state and trends in Croatian marine resource sector which determine the trade balance with Italy. Firstly, size and the structure of the marine fisheries in Croatia are investigated taking into account time trends and the effects of the EU common market policy. Furthermore, we compared the size of export and import of the fishery products. In particular, we look at the relevant indicator of trade with Italy. Since the wholesale market places are established with difficulties in Croatia, the trade channels of the marine fishery products are rather heterogeneous. Next, the market size and structure are analyzed for the specific markets, together with the analysis of the information asymmetry problems. The analysis results with several findings including that the total fish catch volume is accompanied by a decrease in fish catch value. Furthermore, the gap between Italian and Croatian catches in the Mediterranean Sea shrink, and more fish products are exported from Croatia to Italy than imported from Italy to Croatia. The average size of Croatian fishing fleet vessel is still much lower than the average fishing vessel size arriving at Croatian ports. Finally, fish market is underdeveloped in Croatia with low value added created along the trading chains.
Federica De Leo; Pier Paolo Miglietta; Slađana Pavlinović. Marine Fisheries and Mariculture in Croatia: Economic and Trade Analysis. Journal of Economic & Financial Studies 2014, 2, 53 .
AMA StyleFederica De Leo, Pier Paolo Miglietta, Slađana Pavlinović. Marine Fisheries and Mariculture in Croatia: Economic and Trade Analysis. Journal of Economic & Financial Studies. 2014; 2 (6):53.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederica De Leo; Pier Paolo Miglietta; Slađana Pavlinović. 2014. "Marine Fisheries and Mariculture in Croatia: Economic and Trade Analysis." Journal of Economic & Financial Studies 2, no. 6: 53.