Sustainable production using a resource–energy–water nexus for the Pakistani textile industry
2020
Abbas, Shahbaz | Chiang Hsieh, Lin Han | Techato, Kuaanan | Taweekun, Juntakan
Manufacturing industries have a significant impact on economic development, by producing distinctive products for domestic consumers and by generating revenue from exports. The textile industry has always been a profitable industry and the expansion of the fashion industry has increased its significance in recent decades. The Pakistani textile industry is one of the largest textile industries in the international market, as Pakistan is a rich cotton-growing country having an extensive labour market. However, climate change and population growth have affected this industry because of a decline in cotton production, power outages, and the unavailability of adequate water. Hence, the stability of this industry is associated with the sustainability of natural resources, including cotton, energy, and water. Based on the nexus concept using a system dynamics approach, this study develops a resource–energy–water (REW) comprehensive model to explore possible solutions based on the interconnections between these parameters. The results indicate that there is a two-way relationship between all the components of the nexus which can be expedited to manage the daily production targets. Uncertainty analysis reveals that the energy and water demands are more difficult to predict than the resource (cotton). The results and implications of this study can serve as a support for policy makers and regulators to modify textile policy by providing incentives to industry to incorporate renewable energy and re-useable wastewater technologies. The nexus can also be adopted by other manufacturing industries for industrial and environmental sustainability.
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