Articles

Decarbonization of the Cheese Making Industry on the Island of Crete, Greece

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Cheese making is a well-developed activity in the island of Crete, Greece since a long time ago. It is mainly based on local sheep’ and goats’ milk while the small-scale cheese making plants in Crete use conventional energy sources to meet their heat and electricity demand. However, solar energy and solid biomass are abundant in the island and they are currently used for heat and power generation. Elimination of carbon emissions in cheese making plants in Crete can be achieved with the replacement of grid electricity and fossil fuels used with local renewable energies such as solar energy and solid biomass. It has been estimated that complete elimination of the operational carbon emissions due to energy use in a small-size cheese making plant in Crete with annual capacity 120 tons cheese can be achieved with the installation of a solar photovoltaic system at 88 kWp for electricity generation and the annual use of 62.86 tons of olive kernel wood for heat production. Additionally, solar thermal systems and high efficiency heat pumps can be used for heat and cooling production. The abovementioned sustainable energy sources and technologies are mature, reliable, cost-efficient and they are currently used in Crete in various sectors. The results of the present study could be useful to all stakeholders of the cheese making industry in the island.

“NET-ZERO Supply Chains” with Green Technology in a Multi-Stakeholder Framework: A Systematic Literature Review

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This research addresses the global urgency of climate change, highlighting that supply chains contribute to 25% of $CO_2$ emissions. It emphasizes decarbonization and resilience strategies driven by disruptions that demand net-zero models to mitigate risks. This transition requires a multi-stakeholder approach, involving actors such as suppliers, governments, and consumers to overcome barriers like resistance to change and a lack of standards, while integrating economic, social, and environmental perspectives.

The literature reveals fragmentation regarding drivers, barriers, and practices. This systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, analyzes recent sources from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, identifying patterns and recommending automation and trust-building. The objective is to examine the role of green technologies (AI, IoT, renewables) in sustainable multi-stakeholder chains, detecting gaps and proposing agendas for circular economies.

The study includes a pilot conducted in three logistics companies in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico, using convenience sampling. It evaluates net-zero viability via IoT to optimize distribution, achieving emission reductions of 20-30% and overcoming digital limitations with state support. Results were validated using a two-way ANOVA ($p < 0.001$), confirming significant effects.

It concludes by reinforcing net-zero functionality and proposing expansions toward probabilistic sampling in Latin America, blockchain integration, post-2030 AI modeling, and the evaluation of regulations such as the Green Deal.