Professor Francesc Hernández has emphasised the intensive research work, carried out with which they aim to provide knowledge and proposals that will allow progress towards an economic model based on Circular Economy.
With the challenges of water reuse and sustainability on the table, members of the Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Economy in the Water Sector of the Generalitat Valenciana and the University of Valencia (GVA-UV), led by Francesc Hernández, presented their recent research on this subject within the framework of the 6th International Conference on Water Economics, Statistics and Finance and the 10th Leading Edge Conference for Strategic Asset Management (LESAM), which brought together numerous international experts in Paphos, Greece, from 28 to 30 April.
According to Full-time university professor Francesc Hernández, who also coordinates the Water Economics Group of the University of Valencia (GEA-UV), an important part of the work of the team of Valencian researchers is to make visible the research work carried out in order to provide knowledge and proposals that allow progress towards a new economic model based on circular economy, while also contributing to the awareness and sensitisation of society.
In this sense, doctor Lledó Castellet presented the communication entitled 'Economic Impact of Water Reuse Projects on Sustainable Development Goals'. Based on the results obtained within the European project TRUST, doctor Castellet has emphasised on the need to provide a sustainable solution for the treatment of complex textile wastewater with a circular economy perspective. This will contribute to reduce water scarcity in Mediterranean regions, where water resources are being overexploited and climate change aggravates the fear. To achieve this end, new methodologies to quantify social and environmental methodologies must be developed, as well as establishing regulations and economic incentives to promote water reuse.
On the other hand, professor Hernández has presented a work entitled: 'Circular economy and sewage sludge management: Assessment the biomethane production under an economic, environmental and social point of view', in which the impacts derived from biogas and biomethane production are analysed from a technological, economic and social perspective. A multidisciplinary approach based on circular economy is provided and the nexus between energy and waste are highlighted.
In addition, the communication entitled 'Assessment of the impact of water ecosystems renaturalization: A quantitative analysis of the benefits generated' highlights the importance of Ecosystemic Services (ES) associated with wastewater renaturalisation in small populations. To achieve the economic quantification of ES in artificial wetlands, the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM) based on multicriteria analysis or ANP is applied. The research determines that these wetlands represent a no-conventional and sustainable source of water that gives effluents a second life, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (ODS) and allowing their implementation in different social and territorial context.
The Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy
The Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy of the Generalitat Valenciana and the Universitat de València aims to study and develop proposals, promote knowledge and disseminate topics related to the circular perspective of economy. It intends to promote the transformation of the current economic model towards another one based on innovation, knowledge and sustainability from an environmental, productive and social point of view.
Under the sponsorship of the Regional Ministry of Finance, Economy and Public Administration of the Generalitat Valenciana, this chair is directed by Francesc Hernández and its activity is focused on the promotion of circular economy through training, research and dissemination activities.
Furthermore, the Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy is part of a Network of Chairs for the Transformation of the Economic Model in which all the Public Universities of the Valencian Community are integrated.
