Cost–benefit analysis (CBA), sometimes also called benefit–cost analysis, is a systematic approach to estimating the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives. It is used to determine options which provide the best approach to achieving benefits while preserving savings in, for example, transactions, activities, and functional business requirements. A CBA may be used to compare completed or potential courses of action, and to estimate or evaluate the value against the cost of a decision, project, or policy. It is commonly used to evaluate business or policy decisions (particularly public policy), commercial transactions, and project investments. For example, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission must conduct cost-benefit analyses before instituting regulations or deregulations. CBA has two main applications:

To determine if an investment (or decision) is sound, ascertaining if – and by how much – its benefits outweigh its costs.

To provide a basis for comparing investments (o

An Optimal Allocation between R&D and Prototype Funding: The Case of Generation IV International Forum’s Nuclear Energy Initiative

National Research Council of the National Academies, Prospective Evaluation of Applied Energy Research and Development at DOE (Phase One): A First Look Forward (2005) proposes a cost-benefit methodology to evaluate U.S. Department of Energy’s Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) programs. This paper develops the methodology for nuclear energy programs. The RD&D process is analyzed in two stages with two success probabilities: (1) that the technology will transition from the R&D Stage to the Prototype Demonstration Stage, and (2) that the technology will be adopted commercially. It models discounted expected total benefits of an RD&D program as a function of the levels of funding, stage durations, the probabilities of success, and spillovers to other technologies. Project duration is an exponential function of funding. Project success is a logistic function of funding and uncertainty. Spillovers are linear functions of funding at each stage. This specification allows calculation of the marginal effects of changes in funding on discounted expected total benefits for a single technology. The paper uses this method to offer an optimal allocation of pre-prototype R&D funding in the development of the Generation IV International Forum’s advanced nuclear energy systems under a specific parameterization and funding constraint.

2005

Mechanical and environmental assessment of Biobricks material

Enio Daniel Zanchetta

Microbial-induced calcite precipitation is a biochemical process of biomineralization. The process form mineral crystals composed of calcium carbonate and if precipitated into a sand matrix can lead to the formation of sandstone. The sandstone created in such way has the advantage of using a low amount of energy and even sequestrating CO2. This study aimed at comparing the environmental benefit of this material compared to classical building materials. The mechanical characteristics of the material were also assessed to have a first insight of the possible future applications as building material. X-ray computed tomography was conducted to assess the microstructural parameters of this material called “Biobricks”. Mechanical tests were performed and possible links between microstructure and strength evaluated. A life cycled assessment was conducted in a second part to quantify the environmental benefits of the material.

2018

Community-based landslide risk reduction: a review of a Red Cross soil bioengineering for resilience program in Honduras

Silvia Hostettler

Effective long-term participation of communities in disaster risk reduction measures in landslide-prone areas continues to be a challenge. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which community-based soil-bioengineering techniques allow for effective mitigation of shallow landslide events given technical, environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability criteria. The Red Cross has been implementing community-based disaster risk reduction programs aimed at increasing resilience at the community level in Honduras since 2005. Since 2010, 230 landslide hazard sites have been stabilized using soil-bioengineering measures (the use of living plant material to provide certain engineering functions) based on a carefully and systematically developed partnership with local communities. In 2018, an assessment of 73 sites established between 2010 and 2014 showed that (1) 83% of the sites were adequately maintained and (2) 69% of the sites fulfilled the function of soil stabilization. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted for two sites and indicated a cost-benefit ratio of 4.5 and 6 respectively. Some of the key factors for these high success rates include the fact that bioengineering is a locally adapted, easily implemented, cost-effective technology that offers landowners multiple benefits by increasing food security and creating income-generation opportunities. The Red Cross has recognized the importance of empowering communities by building self-confidence so that they can ultimately take responsibility for their own future. The creation of well-functioning local emergency committees has proven highly effective in achieving this goal. When adequately trained, these committees are able to support the replication and maintenance of disaster-risk reduction measures at the community-level in the long term. This case study supports the hypothesis that carefully designed participatory approaches are essential for achieving sustainable, long-term transformative change and risk reduction.

2019

Community-based landslide risk reduction: a review of a Red Cross soil bioengineering for resilience program in Honduras

Silvia Hostettler

2019