Nature-Based Secondary Resource Recovery under Climate Change Uncertainty: A Robust Multi-Objective Optimisation Methodology

Khaled Alshehri (), Mohadese Basirati, Devin Sapsford, Michael Harbottle and Peter Cleall
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Khaled Alshehri: School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK
Mohadese Basirati: Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Clermont Auvergne, INP Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, UMR 6158 LIMOS, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France
Devin Sapsford: School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK
Michael Harbottle: School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK
Peter Cleall: School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-27

Abstract: The management of high-volume (HV) waste poses a persistent challenge in sustainable materials management and represents an untapped opportunity in circular economy models. This study proposes a conceptual decision-making framework to operationalise a novel circular economy strategy for HV waste, involving temporary storage to facilitate nature-based secondary resource recovery. Using an illustrative case study of a candidate HV waste (legacy mining waste), we apply a robust multi-objective spatial optimisation approach at a national scale, employing an exact solution approach. Our methodology integrates mixed-integer linear programming to evaluate the economic viability, social benefits, and impacts of climate change uncertainties on nature-based solutions (NbS) implementation across diverse scenarios. The results demonstrate that NbS can enhance economic feasibility by incorporating carbon sequestration and employment benefits while demonstrating resilience against climate change projections to ensure long-term sustainability. The findings suggest that although NbS can improve the circular economy of HV nationally, it is essential to assess additional ecosystem services and address multiple uncertainties for effective macro-level sustainability assessment of HV management. This study offers a robust decision-making framework for policymakers and stakeholders to plan and implement nature-based circular economy strategies for HV waste streams at a national level while effectively managing long-term planning uncertainties.

Keywords: nature-based solutions; circular economy; resource recovery; climate change resilience; robust optimisation; multi-objective optimisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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