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New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 53104

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Donato Morea

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: renewable energy; investment analysis; project financing; public–private partnership; Islamic finance; agricultural economics; circular economy; corporate social responsibility; productivity analysis; organizational models; digital innovation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Elisa Gebennini

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Economics, Universitas Mercatorum, Piazza Mattei, 10, 00186 Rome, Italy
Interests: supply chain; eco-efficiency; technical performance; food and beverage; logistics; waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this Special Issue is to explore new findings and approaches associated with the use of project financing techniques to achieve greater investment sustainability, thus extending previous academic and managerial knowledge. We encourage submissions investigating the application of innovative project financing schemes in—but not limited to—renewable energy, food, agricultural, and infrastructure sectors. We also welcome articles that address ethical, legal, technical, and organizational aspects to support the sustainability of investments and the “eco-efficiency” performance not only within the single organization (or local community) but also across organizations’ borders (i.e. along the entire supply chain). Finally, we hope to see articles dealing with project financing models in public–private partnerships relating to public subjects lacking in practices, know-how, and monetary resources. Preference will be shown for work that is novel and applicable, captures best practices, and reflects the state-of-the-art. Papers selected for this Special Issue will be subject to peer review, with the goal of a rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments, and applications.

Dr. Donato Morea
Prof. Elisa Gebennini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

project financing
renewable energy
agricultural
food
infrastructures
ethical, legal, technical and organizational aspects
eco-efficiency performance
supply chain
public–private partnership

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 170 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability

by Donato Morea and Elisa Gebennini

Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 786; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13020786 - 15 Jan 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2301

Abstract

In the paper, we introduce the Special Issue entitled “New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability”, and later present the form and contents of the thematic issue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

25 pages, 2863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Financing the (Environmental) Quality of Cities with Energy Efficiency Investments

by Luca Caneparo

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8809; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12218809 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2049

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to study the financing models in order to drive the large amount of financial resources, already allocated for energy efficiency, to improve the quality of cities. These resources are being deployed worldwide by both public and private financial institutions. Energy efficiency is usually managed at the scale of the buildings, i.e., consumption reduction (heating, lighting, etc.). The study methodology is to review energy-efficiency finance (EEF) models, and assess them using multiple case studies. At the same time, the ownership of cities’ spaces is studied across public-private space management, as an effective methodology to bridge the gap between public and investor finance. The comparative analysis of the case studies suggests a paradigm shift in the definition of energy efficiency, not just in terms of the buildings, but instead also the local urban environment with its feedbacks on the quality of urban living. The practical implications are innovative EEF models, such as those being reviewed, which may be: (1) analytical, to assess the environment at the scale of blocks or neighbourhoods; (2) financial, to fund the specific scale; (3) relating to policy, to support and encourage. In recent years, support for urban regeneration is becoming particularly relevant, given the budget constraints of most public administrations and the conjunctural shortening of private partnerships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability)

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Graphical abstract

12 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does the ESG Index Affect Stock Return? Evidence from the Eurostoxx50

by Mario La Torre, Fabiomassimo Mango, Arturo Cafaro and Sabrina Leo

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6387; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12166387 - 07 Aug 2020

Cited by 85 | Viewed by 28801

Abstract

Recent findings provide evidence that companies highly rated in terms of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) score report higher excess returns and lower volatility, this being supported by the assumption that ESG factors are considered, by market agents, as a good proxy for firms’ financial soundness. The aim of this paper is to investigate how ESG components affect stock returns. We use a two-step methodology to analyze the performance of companies included in the Eurostoxx50 index over the 2010–2018 period according to their ESG score. To classify companies in terms of ESG commitments, we combine several ESG indicators (quantitative ratings, scorings and qualitative-opinions) collected on a monthly basis. Our results do not support previous evidence; the Eurostoxx50 companies’ performance does not seem to be affected by their efforts in terms of ESG commitments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability)

17 pages, 255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Big Data for the Sustainability of Healthcare Project Financing

by Roberto Moro Visconti and Donato Morea

Sustainability 2019, 11(13), 3748; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11133748 - 09 Jul 2019

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 11781

Abstract

This study aims to detect if and how big data can improve the quality and timeliness of information in infrastructural healthcare Project Finance (PF) investments, making them more sustainable, and increasing their overall efficiency. Interactions with telemedicine or disease management and prediction are promising but are still underexploited. However, given rising health expenditure and shrinking budgets, data-driven cost-cutting is inevitably required. An interdisciplinary approach combines complementary aspects concerning big data, healthcare information technology, and PF investments. The methodology is based on a business plan of a standard healthcare Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment, compared with a big data-driven business model that incorporates predictive analytics in different scenarios. When Public and Private Partners interact through networking big data and interoperable databases, they boost value co-creation, improving Value for Money and reducing risk. Big data can also help by shortening supply chain steps, expanding economic marginality and easing the sustainable planning of smart healthcare investments. Flexibility, driven by timely big data feedbacks, contributes to reducing the intrinsic rigidity of long-termed PF healthcare investments. Healthcare is a highly networked and systemic industry, that can benefit from interacting with big data that provide timely feedbacks for continuous business model re-engineering, reducing the distance between forecasts and actual occurrences. Risk shrinks and sustainability is fostered, together with the bankability of the infrastructural investment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability)

19 pages, 584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Public-Private Partnerships Foster Investment Sustainability in Smart Hospitals?

by Roberto Moro Visconti, Laura Martiniello, Donato Morea and Elisa Gebennini

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1704; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11061704 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6699

Abstract

This article addresses the relationship between Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and the sustainability of public spending in smart hospitals. Smart (technological) hospitals represent long-termed investments where public and private players interact with banking institutions and eventually patients, to satisfy a core welfare need. Characteristics of smart hospitals are critically examined, together with private actors’ involvement and flexible forms of remuneration. Technology-driven smart hospitals are so complicated that they may require sophisticated PPP. Public players lack innovative skills, whereas private actors seek additional compensation for their non-routine efforts and higher risk. PPP represents a feasible framework, especially if linked to Project Financing (PF) investment patterns. Whereas the social impact of healthcare investments seems evident, their financial coverage raises growing concern in a capital rationing context where shrinking public resources must cope with the growing needs of chronic elder patients. Results-Based Financing (RBF) is a pay-by-result methodology that softens traditional PPP criticalities as availability payment sustainability or risk transfer compensation. Waste of public money can consequently be reduced, and private bankability improved. In this study, we examine why and how advanced Information Technology (IT) solutions implemented in “Smart Hospitals” should produce a positive social impact by increasing at the same time health sustainability and quality of care. Patient-centered smart hospitals realized through PPP schemes, reshape traditional healthcare supply chains with savings and efficiency gains that improve timeliness and execution of care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Project Financing and Eco-Efficiency Models for Investment Sustainability)

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