Sustainability of wastewater management: A socio-ecological system (SES) approach for textile industry in Bangladesh with a focus on Resource Nexus
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The dissertation examines the sustainability of managing textile wastewater within the textile value chain (TVC), emphasizing resource interplay, environmental impacts, and the integration of the Resource Nexus framework. The studies of this dissertation analyze tangible environmental resources (e.g., water, energy, material), intangible environmental resources (e.g., technological and organizational training), and governance resources (e.g., regulations, monitoring, research & development) dimensions, including sustainable practices, compliance, and stakeholder perceptions in the context of textile wastewater management (TWM). The studies of this dissertation utilize a combination of qualitative methods, such as thematic analysis of interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), alongside quantitative approaches, including survey data analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). Qualitative data offer insights into stakeholder perceptions and regulatory frameworks, while quantitative data provide empirical evidence of associations between resource management strategies, environmental governance, and water quality. The dissertation on the sustainability of TWM highlights the significance of stakeholder engagement for effective regulation and monitoring; however, there's a notable gap in fully exploring diverse stakeholders' perspectives and their roles in decision-making processes. While acknowledging the importance of community livelihoods and ecosystem health, some studies inadequately assess the socio-economic impacts and ecological consequences of wastewater discharge on neighboring communities, overlooking conflicts arising from resource usage and discharge. Additionally, although proposing frameworks like the Resource Nexus, there is a lack of quantitative justification, hindering informed decision-making and policy formulation. Addressing these gaps is essential for enhancing the studies' relevance and applicability to improving TWM and achieving sustainable transformation. Furthermore, the dissertation significantly contributes by identifying gaps, providing empirical evidence, and suggesting policy interventions for sustainable TWM. It highlights disparities between compliant and non-compliant industries, emphasizes stakeholder engagement, promotes eco-technological innovations, and advocates for collaborative efforts among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communities. These insights contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the Resource Nexus approach and offer actionable guidance for stakeholders aiming to address the challenges of sustainable TWM. These studies are crucial for addressing the sustainability challenges in textile wastewater management, particularly in contexts like Bangladesh. The studies of this dissertation offer insights into the complexities of resource management, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and the need for sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to clean water, industry innovation and infrastructure, and sustainable communities, enhancing environmental performance, and fostering socio-ecological resilience. These findings contribute to a holistic understanding of the Resource Nexus approach and offer actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers aiming to address the challenges of TWM sustainably.:Summary I Table of Contents III List of Figures IV List of Tables V Abbreviations VI 1 Introduction 1 2 Research articles of the cumulative dissertation 5 Overview of the research articles 5 2.1.1 Implications and limitations 11 2.1.2 Outlook for future research 12 Resource nexus oriented decision making along the textile value chain: The case of wastewater management (Article 1) 14 Sustainability transformation in the textile industry – the case of wastewater management (Article 2) 17 Resource Nexus for decision-making: An industry-community synergistic approach for textile wastewater management (Article 3) 20 Improving water quality for environmental performance: The role of resource-based decision-making in textile wastewater management (Article 4) 22 3 References 26 4 Acknowledgements 33 5 Appendix A: Article 1 35 6 Appendix B: Article 2 83 7 Appendix C: Article 3 109 8 Appendix D: Article 4 137
Author: Gomes, Kamol
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6996846543