In this paper, we propose sustainable synergy between microenvironment (indoor) and particulate matter (PM) in a typical underground train system (UTS). The focus on air quality has become paramount in line with the climate goals which has direct influence on human health, society, built environment, and sustainability. To ensure a sustainable underground train system, it is paramount to establish a policy covering occurrence, investigation, monitoring, and mitigation of PM in such microenvironments. Several studies have reported on air quality of the outdoor environment with minimal consideration of microenvironments such as in UTS. There also exist paucity of data on hourly PM using a portable device. It is therefore necessary to assess exposure concentration of PM in selected UTS using a portable device. The average international standard for PM2.5 in the environment is established as 25 ?gm-3. Concentration of PM less than 2.5 ?m in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) was measured in selected underground train and platforms using a portable Aeroqual device. The data obtained were analysed quantitatively using statistical mean and qualitatively using international standards for permissible PM limits. Using a pollutant of PM2.5 as a datum, concentrations in ?gm-3 ranged between 103-165 on platforms and 115-153 inside the train – indicating the need for improved air exchange on the platform. It was observed that PM2.5 concentration on the platform and the train are much above the international standards. It is worth mentioning that the range obtained at the kerb (street level) ranged between 25-50 ?g m-3 thereby validating the accuracy of the measuring instrument. This study argues for the need for an efficient ventilation system. A further study of UTS covering a longer period of exposure time (annual) and the use of different methodologies (equipment, sample size, etc.) are strongly recommended.

Authors: T.K. Olaniyi, M.T. Abdullah

Published in: World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST-2023)

• Date of Conference: 13-15 November 2023
• DOI: 10.20533/WCST.2023.0009
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-64-8
• Conference Location: St Anne’s College, Oxford University, UK

The paper focuses on all aspects of the numerous activities causing environmental degradation in the Nigerian Niger-Delta region, focusing particularly to the activities of the host communities and oil and gas companies. The vast majority of the revenue that Nigeria’s federal government receives from its oil resources is held by the Niger-Delta region. Numerous issues that affect the region, including poverty, environmental damage, unemployment, and oil pipeline vandalism involving host communities and oil and gas companies. This paper explored the involvement of host communities and oil and gas companies in environmental degradation in the Nigerian Niger Delta in light of the current scenario. Consider the various ways that host communities’ activities and oil and gas activity contribute to environmental degradation in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. The paper used a systems thinking approach, which is necessary for capturing the involvement of host communities and oil and gas companies to environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta’s environmental degradation is the consequence of a complex relationship between oil and gas operations, host communities, and surrounding environments. ST is a qualitative technique that seeks to understand this relationship holistically. In order to convey unbiased insights and understanding of the environmental degradation as experienced in the Niger Delta, ST enables the application of Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) usage to capture the problem as a whole. The data collected from the literature review were analysed using computerised simulation software as Stella Architect®. It is also highly advised that an integrated and multidisciplinary research be carried out to examine this enduring issue in order to build a comprehensive plan and solution to deal with concerns related to environmental degradation and oil pipeline vandalism. Oil and gas companies have created a strategy to prevent environmental pollution and treat waste before discharging it to minimize its effects in several locations around the world. However, similar methods are not widespread in Nigeria. In Nigeria, these methods must be adapted in order to preserve the already-degrading environment.

Authors: S. A. Edun, T. K. Olaniyi, Kenneth Lawani

Published in: World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST-2022)

• Date of Conference: 6-8  December 2022
• DOI: 10.20533/WCST.2022.0009
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-57-0
• Conference Location: Virtual (London, UK)

The decarbonisation of the energy system calls for transition to a sustainable state. The transition process is complex and pathways to achieving it will vary between countries. Energy system models are used in exploring the energy futures of countries and regions. The application of wrong models could result in unrealistic projections and consequently poor energy policies. It is upon this premise that this research argues for a sustainable energy transition planning tool tailored for the Oil Rich Sub Saharan Africa (ORSSA) economies. For these economies, energy transition dynamics are more complex given that their economies and existing energy system are deeply intertwined in fossil fuel export and usage. These create nonlinearity, feedbacks, delays and uncertainties making decision making and policy development a complex problem. This research argues for a sustainable energy transition planning tool tailored to the narratives, multi-objectives and complexities of these economies. It proposes an integration of Multi-Level Perspective narrative framework, Systems Thinking and System Dynamics for
development of this model.

Authors: Nkechiwetalu Nwankwo, Titus Olaniyi, Antony Morgan

Published in: World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST-2021)

• Date of Conference: 7-9 December 2021
• DOI: 10.20533/WCST.2021.0009
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-41-9
• Conference Location: Virtual (London, UK)

This research entails an audit of the ICT systems within an organisation to determine the environmental impact of flexible working on the organisation’s carbon footprint. The study reviews current issues and methodologies in the green ICT sector before providing an overview of the research process. Questionnaires and observations are employed for the investigation on employee working habits. A number of energy consumption measuring tools such as Joulemeter, Powermeter, and SusteIT are used to audit energy consumption of laptops, monitors and phones used by the organisation. This research reveals that working from home has a lower carbon footprint than working in the office primarily due to commuting-related energy consumption. Approximately 20% of the organisation’s staff work from home. The organisation’s annual carbon footprint is 31,509kg of CO2 emissions taking into consideration IT equipment and travel-related emissions. The recommendation is to allow more staff to work from home with given guidelines on the responsible handling of IT equipment in order to reduce their energy consumption. It is recommended that further study be undertaken in order to gain a detailed carbon footprint report.

Authors: Joseph Thackray, Ah-Lian Kor, Colin Pattinson, Lesley Earle

Published in: World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST-2017)

• Date of Conference: 11-14 December 2017
• DOI: 10.20533/WCST.2017.0009
• ISBN: 978-1-908320-78-0
• Conference Location: University of Cambridge, UK

Access to data in pervasive or ubiquitous environments by people and organizations still uses traditional, static, or inappropriate methods. With the adoption of cloud computing the concern to prevent digital fraud and data leakage becomes even more important, new legislation establishes the need to strengthen the protection of personal data held by organizations. Context-aware authentication is an adaptive control technology that uses dynamic standards to determine the legitimacy of accesses. This paper proposes the use of contextaware authentication as an Identity and Access Management technology to provide greater protection in data access in a cloud environment and also to demonstrate how this technology works by building a prototype. The methodology proposed for the elaboration of this article is the qualitative exploratory research through a literature review and documentary survey on the topics covered, in the main databases of academic articles and publications, as well as other publications specialized in the themes and in reliable websites.

Published in: World Congress on Sustainable Technologies (WCST-2019)

• Date of Conference: 9-11 December 2019
• DOI: 10.2053/ICITST.WorldCIS.WCST.WCICSS.2019.0009
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-06-8
• Conference Location: London, UK