Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law, Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
53
Scopus Publications
2356
Scholar Citations
24
Scholar h-index
37
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Decarbonization Strategies in the Wine Supply Chain: From Environmental Mitigation Towards Integrated Sustainability Management Christian Bux, Mariarosaria Lombardi, Roberto Leonardo Rana, Caterina Tricase Environments Mdpi, 2026 The decarbonization of agri-food supply chains represents a critical challenge and an opportunity for achieving global climate targets and Sustainable Development Goals, extending beyond pure environmental mitigation to integrated sustainability management. This study focuses on the wine industry, a major global sector with significant macroeconomic weight and substantial potential for emission reductions. Through a systematic literature review, this research maps scientific trends and identifies strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire supply chain, from viticulture and winemaking to distribution and waste valorization. Analyzing 65 publications, this study identifies three thematic clusters: (i) agronomic and environmental practices (Cluster 1); (ii) innovation, social welfare, and corporate governance (Cluster 2); and (iii) energy transitions and methodological accounting tools (Cluster 3). The key findings highlight that while packaging and logistics remain primary emission hotspots, significant mitigation can be achieved through soil carbon sequestration, renewable energy adoption, and circular economy practices. This research contributes a cohesive set of sustainability-oriented operational strategies derived from previously fragmented technical mitigation strategies. By acknowledging that decarbonization strategies extend beyond ecological metrics, this framework address the intersecting socioeconomic and operational impacts experienced by local communities. The results reveal a disconnect between macro-level legislative frameworks, such as the European Green Deal, and micro-level operationalization. This review highlights the need for a shift toward harmonized governance and standardized metrics to reconcile competitiveness with climate stewardship.
Toward a Business-Oriented Concept of Natural Capital and Its Measurement in Organizations Vera Amicarelli, Christian Bux, Andrea Del Chicca, Pasquale Giungato, Angela Tarabella, Caterina Tricase Business Strategy and the Environment, 2026 The growing importance of sustainability in corporate governance, driven by emerging regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the forthcoming ISO 14054, has renewed interest in the concept of natural capital. However, organizations continue to face considerable challenges in operationalizing natural capital accounting. This study aims to identify key definitional dimensions of natural capital from a business‐oriented perspective, based on 106 different definitions found in the literature. Moreover, it proposes practical guidelines for its assessment in organizations to support both managers, researchers, and public authorities in the field of natural capital measurement. Through a systematic literature review and a detailed analysis of international standards, particularly those within the ISO 14000 series, the research develops a materiality matrix that cross‐references the theoretical and applied relevance of natural capital components. Six key steps are outlined for the measurement of natural capital: (i) inventorying material and energy flows; (ii) assessing environmental impacts in line with ISO life cycle assessment standards; (iii) constructing resource balance sheets akin to financial statements; (iv) monetizing flows and impacts using cost‐accounting methods; (v) developing integrated environmental‐economic indicators; and (vi) producing structured nonfinancial reports. Findings position natural capital as a strategic resource that enhances sustainable value creation and risk management, and the adoption of consistent and transparent natural capital metrics can strengthen stakeholder trust and support the broader transition toward a more sustainable economy.
A critical analysis of global warming potential of data centers in the digital era Christian Bux, Roberto Leonardo Rana, Mariarosaria Lombardi, Pasquale Giungato, Caterina Tricase International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2025 The purpose of this research is to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with a theoretical data center in Italy. Through the analysis of four different scenarios that vary the energy mix, the IT attributes (i.e., server, storage, and networking refresh interval) and the physical infrastructure (i.e., power system, UPS mode, annual generator use, power distribution, and cooling system), this research intends to identify the best strategies for reducing the environmental impacts of a data center. This study estimates the environmental impacts of a data center in Italy by focusing on its global warming potential. The functional unit is a theoretical data center of 8650 m 2 , with an IT capacity of 5000 kW, an IT load of 85%, a rack power density of 5 kW, and a lifespan of 10 years. The environmental impact assessment highlights (i) the yearly total CO 2 eq by distinguishing among direct and indirect emissions; (ii) the yearly total CO 2 eq by lifecycle phase (i.e., manufacturing, distribution, installation, use and end-of-life); and (iii) the yearly total CO 2 eq by system (i.e., IT, core and shell, electrical, mechanical and other). Moreover, this research provides insights in the environmental impacts associated with capital goods, fuel and energy, upstream transportation, and waste in operations. In the baseline scenario, the global warming potential of the data center is 677,724 tCO 2 eq, with a cumulative energy consumption of 558,894 MWh and an emission factor of 925 kg/MWh per year. In Scenario 1, which considers a change in the server, storage, and networking refresh interval, the environmental impacts are 602,197 tCO 2 eq, but the cumulative energy consumption is equal to the baseline scenario. In Scenario 2, which implements a more efficient physical infrastructure and a generator use of 8760 h/year, the global warming potential is reduced by 28%, and the emission factor is 719 kg/MWh per year. Last, Scenario 3 considers the average European energy mix. It, other conditions being equal, represents the most impactful scenario from an environmental standpoint (686,575 tCO 2 eq). The implementation of a more efficient physical infrastructure should consider a natural gas power system instead of a diesel one and an annual generator use of 8760 h/year. Environmental benefits can be achieved through intervention on the cooling system, by substituting chilled water with DX systems. In the case of a Tier IV data center, the energy mix does not affect the environmental performance, and Scope 2 emissions are equal to zero.
Toward an Experimental Common Framework for Measuring Double Materiality in Companies Christian Bux, Paola Geatti, Serena Sebastiani, Andrea Chicca, Pasquale Giungato, et al. Sustainability Switzerland, 2025 In Europe, corporate sustainability reporting through the double materiality assessment was formally introduced with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in response to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards. The double materiality assessment is essential not only to determine the scope of corporate sustainability reporting but also to guide companies toward an efficient allocation of resources and shape corporate sustainability strategies. However, although EFRAG represents the technical adviser of the European Commission, there are numerous “interoperable” standards related to the assessment of double materiality, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), or UNI 11919-1:2023. This research intends to systematically analyze similarities and divergences between the most widespread double materiality assessment standards at the global scale, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and trying to identify a comparable path toward the creation of a set of common guidelines. This analysis is carried out through the systematic study of seven standards and by answering nine questions ranging from generic ones, such as “what is the concept of double materiality?”, to more technical questions like “does the standard identify thresholds?”, but adding original prospects such as “does the standard refer to different types of capital?”. Findings highlight that EFRAG, UNI 11919-1:2023, and GRI represent the most complete and least-discretionary standards, but some methodological aspects need to be enhanced. In the double materiality assessment, companies must identify key stakeholders, material topics and material risks, and must develop the double materiality matrix, promoting transparent disclosure, continuous monitoring, and stakeholders’ engagement. While comparability is principally required among companies operating within the same sector and of similar size, this does not preclude the possibility of comparing firms across different sectors with respect to specific indicators, when appropriate or necessary.
Assessing the environmental sustainability of hospital diets using water footprint and food waste indicators Christian Bux, Mariarosaria Lombardi, Roberto Leonardo Rana, Paola Geatti, Vera Amicarelli British Food Journal, 2025 Purpose The objective of this research is to assess the environmental sustainability of a weekly hospital diet in terms of water consumption and food waste generation. This assessment is crucial for identifying more environmentally sustainable diets based on the development of the water-food waste index (WFWI). Design/methodology/approach This research evaluates the water footprint of hospital diets according to the Water Footprint Network (WFN) guidelines and their food waste generation by applying the mass-balance approach. Primary data on food consumption and waste quantities were obtained through waste analysis conducted in nine hospital facilities in Southern Italy. The questionnaire was administered to 3,408 patients over a three-year period (2021–2023). Findings Plant-based ingredients, despite their higher environmental sustainability, are wasted more than animal-based foods, underscoring a trade-off between reducing water consumption and minimizing food waste. However, some food items can achieve both environmental sustainability and consumer acceptability. Lettuce (WFWI = 1.15 L/kg) and carrots (WFWI = 2.88 L/kg) present a better sustainable performance compared to spinach (WFWI = 8.09 L/kg) or eggplants (WFWI = 8.77 L/kg). In terms of animal-based products, parmesan (WFWI = 24.24 L/kg) is a more sustainable alternative to scamorza (WFWI = 114.40 L/kg), while pork (WFWI = 59.57 L/kg) is preferable to veal (WFWI = 154.32 L/kg) in designing hospital diets. Originality/value In the healthcare sector, food waste takes on particular significance considering its economic, social and environmental implications, such as the loss of nutritional values, the waste disposal costs and the negative environmental impacts. Although the assessment of sustainable diets is largely investigated in terms of carbon emissions, scarce attention is given to its water consumption. This research represents an original analysis that estimates both water footprint and food waste generation in the healthcare sector and develops a composite indicator to integrate water footprint and food waste data.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to Tackle Carbon Leakage in the International Fertilizer Trade Christian Bux, Roberto Leonardo Rana, Caterina Tricase, Paola Geatti, Mariarosaria Lombardi Sustainability Switzerland, 2024 Carbon emissions have negative effects on the climate regardless of the location they are generated, and several strategies were introduced to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, precisely, Goal 13 “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”. Recently, to tackle the so-called carbon leakage, the European Union (EU) introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is a crucial instrument to establish a fair price for the carbon emissions during the production of certain carbon-intensive goods, including fertilizers. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of the CBAM in addressing carbon leakage within the EU by evaluating the virtual carbon emission flows to the EU in the timespan 2019–2023, focusing on the top ten primary exporters of fertilizers. The assessment is based on the comparison of the world weighted average (WWA) emission factor and the country-specific one, to identify a more suitable method for measuring carbon emission flows. Results highlighted the opportunity of treating countries individually, rather than employing WWA emission factors. Emissions could be minimized by reducing production levels in countries with lax environmental policies, but this could penalize third-party economies. Sustainable development can be achieved by introducing fair environmental policies, maintaining constant production levels, economically compensating production economies, and exporting skills and know-how.
Sustainable Development and Waste Management Mariarosaria Lombardi, Vera Amicarelli, Christian Bux, Erica Varese Encyclopedia of Renewable Energy Sustainability and the Environment Volume 1 4, 2024
ADVANCING UNIVERSITY-BUSINESS COOPERATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy, Vera Amicarelli, Giuseppina Miuli, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy, Christian Bux, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy, Raluca Mariana Grosu, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania Amfiteatru Economic, 2022
ENHANCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY: AIRLINES’ COMMITMENT TO “GREEN” PRACTICES University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy, Vera Amicarelli, Giovanni Lagioia, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy, Antonio Patruno, Italian Air Force, 2nd Technical Communication Unit, Bari, Italy, Raluca Mariana Grosu, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, Christian Bux, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy Amfiteatru Economic, 2021
Integrating Decarbonisation Strategies and ESG Management in Viticulture C Bux, M Lombardi, RL Rana, C Tricase International Conference Challenges in the New Era of Globalization (GLOBERA … , 2026 2026
Decarbonization Strategies in the Wine Supply Chain: From Environmental Mitigation towards Integrated Sustainability Management C Bux, M Lombardi, RL Rana, C Tricase Environments 13 (195), 1-30 , 2026 2026
Toward a Business‐Oriented Concept of Natural Capital and Its Measurement in Organizations V Amicarelli, C Bux, A Del Chicca, P Giungato, A Tarabella, C Tricase Business Strategy and the Environment 35 (2), 2482-2501 , 2026 2026
The sustainability nexus of cultured meat: Integrating environmental, social, and technological-economic insights RL Rana, C Bux, V Tommaso Food Research International 227, 118245 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Sustainability. C Bux, V Amicarelli 2025
Assessing the environmental sustainability of hospital diets using water footprint and food waste indicators C Bux, M Lombardi, RL Rana, P Geatti, V Amicarelli British Food Journal, 1-19 , 2025 2025
Toward an Experimental Common Framework for Measuring Double Materiality in Companies C Bux, P Geatti, S Sebastiani, A Del Chicca, P Giungato, A Tarabella, ... Sustainability 17, 6518 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
An Overview on Current Sustainable Practices in the Tire Industry. Focus on Environmental Orientations. S Sava, C Bux, V Ntouros, RM Grosu 11th BASIQ International Conference on New Trends in Sustainable Business … , 2025 2025
Sustainability strategies in the foodservice industries: from agricultural production to final consumption C Bux, V Amicarelli Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 1-8 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
The measurement of circularity in the agri-food sector by the UNI/TS 11820:2022 C Bux, B Farace, A Apicella Qualità, Innovazione e Sostenibilità nella filiera agro-alimentare, 641-656 , 2025 2025
On the recovery of wastewater from anaerobic digestion and composting plants of organic waste by material flow analysis G Lagioia, T Gallucci, C Bux, MP Spinelli, V Amicarelli Qualità, Innovazione e Sostenibilità nella filiera agro-alimentare, 983-997 , 2025 2025
Strategies for a Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Hospital Foodservice Management C Bux Springer - Environmental Humanities: Transformation, Governance, Ethics, Law … , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
A comparative assessment of food waste and carbon footprint toward a more sustainable healthcare foodservice C Bux, G Zizzo, V Roe, Brian E., Amicarelli Journal of Cleaner Production 495, 145102 , 2025 2025 Citations: 16
A critical analysis of global warming potential of data centers in the digital era C Bux, RL Rana, M Lombardi, P Giungato, C Tricase The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 1-13 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to Tackle Carbon Leakage in the International Fertilizer Trade C Bux, RL Rana, C Tricase, P Geatti, M Lombardi Sustainability 16, 10661 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Carbon Footprint as a Tool to Improve Sustainability: Evidence from the Agri-Food Supply Chain C Tricase, RL Rana, M Lombardi, P Geatti, P Giungato, V Amicarelli, ... Carbon Footprint Assessments, 177-200 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
A Comprehensive Review of Carbon Footprints in the Wine Supply Chain in Italy L Agnusdei, C Bux, PP Miglietta, F De Leo, GP Agnusdei Carbon Footprint Assessments, 81-98 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Measurement of fertilizer flows to advance circularity and resilience to climate change C Bux, J Fellner, D Seyhan, V Amicarelli Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Conventional and digital technologies for measuring and monitoring food waste in the healthcare foodservice C Bux Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 1-23 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Environmental management of the green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) supply chain: a carbon footprint assessment in Southern Italy RL Rana, C Bux, M Lombardi British Food Journal 126 (11), 3953-3971 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Halal Food Sustainability between Certification and Blockchain: A Review C Bux, E Varese, V Amicarelli, M Lombardi Sustainability 14 (4), 2152 , 2022 2022 Citations: 233
Global warming potential of food waste through the life cycle assessment: An analytical review V Amicarelli, G Lagioia, C Bux Environmental Impact Assessment Review 91, 106677 , 2021 2021 Citations: 227
Food waste measurement toward a fair, healthy and environmental-friendly food system: A critical review V Amicarelli, C Bux British Food Journal 123 (8), 2907-2935 , 2020 2020 Citations: 210
Food waste in Italian households during the Covid-19 pandemic: a self-reporting approach V Amicarelli, C Bux Food Security 13 (1), 25 , 2020 2020 Citations: 179
How to manage and minimize food waste in the hotel industry: An exploratory research V Amicarelli, AC Aluculesei, G Lagioia, R Pamfilie, C Bux International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research 16 (1 … , 2022 2022 Citations: 149
Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed food waste perception and behavior? Evidence from Italian consumers V Amicarelli, G Lagioia, S Sampietro, C Bux Socio-Economic Planning Sciences 82, 101095 , 2022 2022 Citations: 116
Life cycle assessment to tackle the take-make-waste paradigm in the textiles production V Amicarelli, C Bux, MP Spinelli, G Lagioia Waste Management 151, 10-27 , 2022 2022 Citations: 107
Circular economy and sustainable strategies in the hospitality industry: Current trends and empirical implications C Bux, V Amicarelli Tourism and Hospitality Research 24 (4), 624-636 , 2023 2023 Citations: 95
How to measure food loss and waste? A material flow analysis application V Amicarelli, C Bux, G Lagioia British Food Journal 123 (1), 67-85 , 2020 2020 Citations: 82
Material flow cost accounting (MFCA) to enhance environmental entrepreneurship in the meat sector: Challenges and opportunities C Bux, V Amicarelli Journal of Environmental Management 313, 115001 , 2022 2022 Citations: 80
Households’ food waste behavior at local scale: A cluster analysis after the COVID-19 lockdown V Amicarelli, C Tricase, A Spada, C Bux Sustainability 13 (6), 3283 , 2021 2021 Citations: 75
Material flow analysis and sustainability of the Italian meat industry V Amicarelli, R Rana, M Lombardi, C Bux Journal of Cleaner Production 299, 126902 , 2021 2021 Citations: 70
Sustainable and circular practices in the hotel industry in Southern Italy: opportunities, barriers and trends in food waste management G Lagioia, V Amicarelli, R Strippoli, C Bux, T Gallucci British Food Journal 126 (1), 428-452 , 2024 2024 Citations: 60
Quantifying textile streams and recycling prospects in Europe by material flow analysis V Amicarelli, C Bux Environmental Impact Assessment Review 97, 106878 , 2022 2022 Citations: 54
Economic and Environmental Assessment of Conventional versus Organic Durum Wheat Production in Southern Italy C Bux, M Lombardi, E Varese, V Amicarelli Sustainability 14 (15), 1-14 , 2022 2022 Citations: 39
A combined evaluation of energy efficiency, customer satisfaction and food waste in the healthcare sector by comparing cook-hold and cook-chill catering C Bux, G Zizzo, V Amicarelli Journal of Cleaner Production 429, 139594 , 2023 2023 Citations: 38
Carbon footprint of the globe artichoke supply chain in Southern Italy: From agricultural production to industrial processing RL Rana, C Bux, M Lombardi Journal of Cleaner Production 391, 136240 , 2023 2023 Citations: 33
Measuring Food Loss and Waste Costs in the Italian Potato Chip Industry Using Material Flow Cost Accounting V Amicarelli, BE Roe, C Bux Agriculture 12, 523 , 2022 2022 Citations: 31
How to Monitor the Transition to Sustainable Food Services and Lodging Accommodation Activities: A Bibliometric Approach C Bux, AC Aluculesei, S Moagăr-Poladian Sustainability 14 (15), 1-21 , 2022 2022 Citations: 30
Users’ Perception of the Circular Economy Monitoring Indicators as Proposed by the UNI/TS 11820:2022: Evidence from an Exploratory Survey V Amicarelli, C Bux Environments 10 (4), 65 , 2023 2023 Citations: 29
