A causal sustainable natural rubber development framework using a hierarchical structure with linguistic preferences in Thailand

The increase in demand for natural rubber has led to the search for alternative sources. Lactuca serriola is emerging as a promising candidate, as the quality of the natural rubber it produces is comparable to that of the Pará Rubber Plant, Hevea brasiliensis. This study examines the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a known elicitor, on the expression of key rubber biosynthesis pathway genes (HMGR1, HMGS1, CPT2, and SRPP1) in the latex of L. serriola plants. The expression levels of these genes increased significantly after the foliar application of 200 and 400 µM MeJA. The highest relative expression level for HMGR1, HMGS1, CPT2 and SRPP1 was 3.74, 18.56, 11.91and 16.59 fold respectively. Furthermore, the rubber content in L. serriola showed a significant rise post-treatment compared to the control with increasing the level of MeJA (6.19%, 7.24% and 7.85% which correspond to 0, 200 and 400 µM). Gel permeation chromatography revealed an augmentation in the molecular weight of extracted natural rubber from treated plants. Samples treated with 400 µM of MeJA had the highest molecular weight (1570 kg mol−1) compared to control (1186 kg mol−1). This study has demonstrated that MeJA, through the regulation of rubber biosynthesis genes, is capable of enhancing the quality and quantity of natural rubber extracted from alternative sources, such as L. serriola.

Goal. To explore the role and impact of consulting services in the context of sustainable business development. Tasks. To study the evolution of consulting services in professional business management. To define the principles and application of consulting services within the framework of sustainable development. Consider ways to implement sustainable strategies through consulting services. To analyze the impact of consulting on the efficiency of the value chain, the environment and economic sustainability. Formulate recommendations and conclusions on the use of consulting services to achieve sustainable business development. Methodology. This research will be based on a systematic analysis of academic literature, scientific articles and reports related to the topic of consulting and sustainable development. Results. An overview of the evolution of consulting services in professional business management. Identification of principles and methods of consulting services application for sustainable business development. Analysis of the impact of consulting on the efficiency of the value chain, the environment and economic sustainability. Development of recommendations on the use of consulting services to achieve sustainable business development. The main results of the study indicate that consulting services focused on sustainable development have the potential not only to increase the productivity and profitability of organizations, but also to bring social benefits and environmental protection. Conclusions. The findings of this study highlight the importance of integrating sustainable development into management consulting and its impact on the business sector. Consulting services based on the principles of sustainability contribute to the development and application of sustainable strategies that improve the efficiency of business processes, preserve the environment, protect health and support economically viable communities. The study confirms that consulting services play a significant role in achieving sustainable development of organizations and society as a whole. They provide organizations with the tools, expertise, and recommendations needed to solve management challenges and achieve sustainable results. Adopting sustainable strategies and integrating the principles of sustainable development into business management allows companies to ensure economic sustainability, improve their reputation, reduce risks and create competitive advantages. In general, this study confirms the importance of taking into account the aspects of sustainable development in management consulting and encourages organizations and consultants to actively apply the principles of sustainability to achieve successful and sustainable business results.

Southwestern Madagascar is not only one of the “hottest biodiversity hotspots” globally, but also a food insecurity hotspot with severe levels of poverty and undernourishment. Large parts of the regional forest have been lost in past decades, and many of the endemic species are at the verge of extinction. At the same time, the research region is among the most underdeveloped parts of Madagascar, which is itself one of the poorest countries globally. Thus, there is the dual challenge of safeguarding the livelihoods of one of the poorest rural communities while preserving the unique biodiversity. Acknowledgment of this dual challenge gave rise to the SuLaMa project (Sustainable Land Management in southwestern Madagascar) the present dissertation is a part of. Within southwestern Madagascar, the SuLaMa project region is confined to the Mahafaly Plateau, consisting of the coastal littoral in the west and a limestone upland in the east.
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\nThree chapters comprise the core of this dissertation. The first chapter investigates the insurance function of livestock to cover food expenses during a drought year with failing annual crops. In rural Madagascar, zebu cattle are the most prominent herded animal, livestock numbers are high, and the heads of cattle a household owns is a strong indicator of both prestige and social status. Given the high sociocultural value of zebu cattle in Malagasy culture, many authors and development actors question the economic rationale of zebu herding. Empirical micro-level data on the actual role of livestock herding in terms of household economics is missing, though. We intend to narrow this knowledge gap by analysing the economic importance of zebu herding in the Mahafaly region. The analysis takes into account (i) the general role of animal husbandry and (ii) non-cattle related livelihood strategies that can buffer smallholder households against the effects of severe droughts and associated crop failures. To do this, we conducted a longitudinal survey as well as a recall survey covering the “lean” or “hunger” season (12/2013-05/2014). The results show that households generated less then 5% of total cash income from food crop sales, and spent on average >50% of their total cash income on food purchases. Proceeds from the sale of livestock accounted for >45% of cash food expenditures on average. In sum, we documented a substantial insurance function for zebu herding, but – even more importantly for the poorest households – also for small ruminants, i.e. goats.
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\nThe second chapter investigates causal links between regional hunger, poverty and environmental degradation, including feedback loops, among these factors. Despite a large number of regional rural development programmes in the research region, little effective progress in terms of agricultural income or well-being among farming households was observed. Anecdotally, the research region is being called a “project cemetery”. At the same time, environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity are frequently cited as problems of the region. Why is southwestern Madagascar apparently locked in such a catastrophic socioeconomic and ecological state? 
\nThe second chapter presents a causal analysis of the above-mentioned situation from a social-ecological systems perspective, including an analysis of potential social-ecological traps. 
\nSpecifically, we have analysed interactions between seasonal rainfall, agricultural production, household income, and strategies to cope with widespread hunger. The study is based on high-resolution survey data and longitudinal interview data covering all of 2014. In addition to our primary data sources, we incorporated results from previously published studies on the Mahafaly area focussing on current data from the SuLaMa project. The causal analysis makes use of the tools of systems analysis, particularly using causal loop diagrams to assess crucial social-ecological interactions. We found a complex interplay of pronounced seasonality in income generation, recurrent droughts and crop failures, high agricultural investment risks, and governance failures on several levels. This interplay results in a gradual depletion of environmental assets, livelihood impoverishment, and hinders capital accumulation, as well as sustainable agricultural intensification. Several social-ecological traps and their interactions entrench the Mahafalian smallholder population in deep poverty while the productivity of the environment gradually declines. The study provides new insights into the causes of persistent poverty and continuing loss of environmental assets on the landscape level. Finally, we propose key leverage points to unlock current traps and facilitate more sustainable development in southwestern Madagascar. Among these leverage points are, in particular, income sources that are not based on arable agriculture. 
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\nThe first and the second chapters suggest that alternative income sources beyond arable agriculture are crucial for a regional sustainable development. The third chapter builds on this conclusion and analyses the potential of plant oil produced from the seeds of the cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) as an alternative income source. Cacti of the genus Opuntia are highly abundant in the region, particularly as living fences on private farmland in the littoral of the Mahafaly area. Highly priced seed oil can be extracted from the seeds of its fruit. To investigate the economic potential of seed oil production – and/or the local commercialisation of Opuntia seeds for seed oil production, we inventoried Opuntiae in field hedges through GIS analyses, and estimated the amount of seed oil that can be produced per household based on in situ sampling and laboratory analysis. To assess the socioeconomic impact of a potential large-scale project of regional Opuntia seed oil production, we conducted interviews with 51 farming households as to preferences for the utilisation of Opuntiae and Opuntiae products, including human consumption and utilization as animal fodder.
\nWe found five different Opuntia varieties belonging to at least three different species. Two of the Opuntiae are highly important today socioeconomically, as they contribute >50% to total food intake during annual periods of food shortage. Conversely, three Opuntia varieties are not eaten by local residents. These varieties are more spiny, and respondents mentioned higher seed content in the fruit that would lead to digestive problems and constipation. However, the Opuntia varieties with inedible fruit were more abundant in the field hedges. The combination of low local nutritional use but high abundance and high seed content offers promising potential for regional Opuntia seed oil production. As Opuntia seed oil demands a high price on international markets, we conclude that the production of Opuntia seed oil from the project area and the sale of Opuntia seeds may bring livelihood improvements to some of the poorest rural communities in Madagascar.

Will Rio+20 find a way to more sustainable development?

A foundational framework for smart sustainable city development: Theoretical, disciplinary, and discursive dimensions and their synergies

The problems of sustainable tourism development in the Republic of Bashkortostan on the example of the northeastern regions of the region are considered in the article and it suggests ways to solve them, primarily through the rational use of immovable cultural heritage, and also provides other recommendations aimed at solving the problems. The sustainable development of civilization, country, region has long been perceived as one of the main problems facing the world community as a whole, and specific national states, their regions, etc. The international community adopted an important document "Strategies for Sustainable Development for the period up to 2030" on September 25, 2015, which is aimed at transforming the world and it will determine the direction of development at the global, regional and national levels. President of Russia V.V. Putin already in 2006, approved the "Concept of the Transition of the Russian Federation to Sustainable development". Currently, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 474 dated 21.07.2020 "On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030" is in force, which defines the most important goals and solutions for the sustainable development of the country. Generally within the framework of sustainable development, the tourism and hospitality industry also needs a sustainable development strategy and this is recognized both at the international level and at the national level. Accordingly, at the international level – already in 1995, the "Agenda for the XXI century for the travel and Tourism industry" (Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry) was developed. UNESCO formulated the Concept of Sustainable Tourism Development in 2004, according to which "the norms and practices of managing sustainable tourism development can be applied to all types of tourism and to all types of destinations, including mass tourism and various niches of tourist segments." In 2013, the Global Criteria for Sustainable Tourism for Destinations (GSTC-D) were introduced, representing a set of 37 voluntary standards. This is the minimum that any tourist business should strive for in order to protect and maintain natural and cultural resources. Sustainable tourism must also necessarily meet the needs of tourists and host regions. It is in this vein that the article proposes a set of steps for a more rational use of the tourist potential of the northeast of Bashkortostan.

The concept of sustainable tourism development is derived from sustainable development. Building tourism with the framework of sustainable development has become a necessary effective way. This study examined the abstracts and titles of 1783 sustainable development and 692 sustainable tourism development related papers from 2012 to 2021 as textual data sources through the Web of Science core database. Using text mining and semantic network as analysis methods, this paper summarizes eight main clusters of sustainable development and sustainable tourism development in the past 10 years. Based on this, this paper compares the differences between the two researches and explores four potential research areas in sustainable tourism development: (1) threats to sustainability; (2) ecology and health; (3) stakeholder cooperation and roles; and (4) tourism development planning. In addition, the visual network knowledge structure intuitively captures the relationship between the different keywords in the clustering, which provides an important reference value for broadening the future research direction of sustainable tourism development.

Fragile states, often hindered by weak governance, political instability, and economic fragility, face significant challenges in achieving sustainable development due to the lack of institutional frameworks necessary for implementing top-down, donor-driven development models. Traditional interventions frequently overlook local innovations, which are often better suited to address the unique challenges in these contexts. This paper explores the integration of grassroots innovation (GI) into ethical supply chains (ESCs) as a comprehensive approach to promoting inclusive and sustainable development in fragile states. Grassroots innovations, emerging from local communities, offer context-specific solutions to socioeconomic and environmental issues, while ethical supply chains ensure transparency, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability in production processes. Through case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, the study uses qualitative analysis to show how local innovations in areas like sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, exemplified by initiatives in Nepal and Sierra Leone, can be effectively integrated into global supply chains. The findings reveal that combining grassroots innovations with ethical supply chain practices fosters local empowerment, reduces dependency on foreign aid, and promotes self-sustaining economies. The proposed framework emphasizes the need for policy support, capacity building, and financial investment to facilitate this integration. Ultimately, integrating grassroots innovation with ethical supply chains offers a viable pathway to achieving sustainable and inclusive development in fragile states by empowering local communities and promoting global standards of fairness, transparency, and sustainability, contributing to the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Background: Matihani, a culturally rich community, presents a unique blend of Buddhist philosophical traditions integrated into education, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development. Buddhist principles such as mindfulness, interdependence, and ethical conduct have significantly influenced the local way of life, fostering holistic growth and harmony. However, the practical application of these principles in modern development contexts remains underexplored. Objective: The study aims to analyze the role of Buddhist philosophy in promoting sustainable education, environmental conservation, and socio-economic development in Matihani. It also seeks to highlight the relevance of Buddhist teachings in addressing contemporary challenges faced by the community. Methods: Secondary data was gathered through a comprehensive review of literature, local documents, and policy records. Thematic and content analysis methods were used to analyze the data, with a focus on triangulation to ensure reliability. Findings: The study revealed that Buddhist philosophy significantly influences various aspects of community life: (i) Education: The principles of mindfulness and compassion are integrated into local teaching practices, fostering a value-based learning environment. (ii) Environmental Sustainability: The Buddhist tenet of interdependence guides community-led conservation initiatives, promoting harmony with nature. (iii) Socio-Economic Development: Ethical decision-making inspired by Buddhist values underpins local economic activities, encouraging equitable and sustainable growth. Despite these strengths, challenges such as modernization pressures, resource constraints, and gaps in policy implementation hinder the full realization of Buddhist-inspired practices. Conclusion: The study concludes that Buddhist philosophy offers a robust framework for holistic and sustainable development in Matihani. By incorporating mindfulness, interdependence, and ethical conduct, the community demonstrates the transformative potential of traditional wisdom in addressing modern challenges. Recommendations emphasize the need for policy support, capacity building, and collaborative efforts to further integrate Buddhist teachings into development strategies. Novelty: This study provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective by bridging Buddhist philosophy with contemporary development practices. It highlights how ancient wisdom can offer practical solutions to modern issues, contributing to global discussions on sustainable development and ethical living.

PurposeThe aim of this study is to gauge the consideration toward sustainability and sustainable development in the creative process or activities in design practices among the design undergraduates of University A, Russia, and University B, Malaysia. The beliefs, attitudes and intentions toward all the dimensions of sustainability – environmental, social and economic – were assessed and compared between both institutions.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was administrated to 127 design undergraduates from University A, Russia, and 135 design undergraduates from University B, Malaysia, to assess their beliefs, attitudes and intentions toward sustainability and sustainability development in their creative practices.FindingsThe outputs of this investigation suggested that the courses related to education for sustainable development that preached in design programs at University A, Russia, have developed appropriate beliefs, attitudes and intentions toward sustainability and sustainable development in creative process or activities among the learners on environmental and social sustainability issues. The subject on sustainable development offered in design programs at University B, Malaysia, has mold positive beliefs, attitudes and intentions on the environmental sustainability issues in creative practices among the design undergraduates. The outcomes of this study shed some light on the effectiveness of the courses related to education for sustainable development of both institutions in building the appropriate mindset in the creative process during design activities.Originality/valueThis study on the consideration of sustainability and sustainable development in creative practices is novel and the outputs of this study can carve the path for an effective education for sustainable development courses in the design programs, specifically in the context of building the appropriate beliefs, attitudes and intentions toward sustainability and sustainable development in creative practices among the future designers.

This paper aims to examine the main practices that shape sustainable port development in the context of Korean ports and generalize a typology of port–stakeholder decision framework for sustainable port development. First, the main practices of sustainable port development were examined through a comprehensive literature review and a holistic conceptual framework underpinned by sustainable development and stakeholder management theories. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with 67 port managers in Korea. Lastly, FAHP was performed based on inputs from 18 port managers to analyze the priorities of the proposed sustainable port development practices. It was found that all proposed practices should be used for evaluating sustainable port development. It was also indicated that Optimized Operation Planning is the most important factor while Internal Environment Management is the least important factor perceived by Korean port managers. A typology of port–stakeholder framework for sustainable development was also generalized to assist port managers in making phased investment decisions. This research contributes to theory building by empirically identifying and validating the sustainable port development practices considering all three aspects of sustainability. It has also generalized a typology of port–stakeholder framework for sustainable development which can be used as a guideline for sustainable development decisions.

Sustainability is key to allow for human development without compromising any resources. Developing countries like India, where Environmental Sustainability is being neglected for the sake of Economic Sustainability. The United Nation (UN) has stated that this will threaten cities with social conflict, environmental degradation and the collapse of basic services. In 21st century, we have using natural resources in non-humanitarian way. We are also forgetting that our next generation will suffer as a result of our inhumane attitude towards environment. In this present study we are going discuss about the sustainable development and the basic need of sustainable development in our daily life and also for securing our future generation. The main aim of sustainability development is to secure our future generation for any type of crisis. Sustainable Development depends on three pillars such as - Environmental Sustainability, Economic Sustainability and Social Sustainability. The Environment pillar of sustainable development is crucial; once we understand that resources that plant offers are finite it becomes clear that current methods of consumption are using up more resources than the planet can afford. In this study we are also describe about the climate change, global warming, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, health, food security etc. This study is also emphasizes the importance of Environmental Sustainability in our daily life and also how we can maintain our Sustainable Development.

International investment significantly contributes to economic development by fostering hunger eradication, poverty reduction, job creation, and the introduction of new technologies and services. However, it also presents challenges, including resource degradation, environmental decline, waste generation, and human rights violations. This article emphasizes integrating sustainable development principles into international investment law to balance investor and host country interests while safeguarding the environment and human rights for long-term sustainability. In Vietnam, a nation increasingly integrated into the global economy, legal frameworks stipulate sustainable development principles for foreign-invested projects, aligning with international standards to protect the environment and people alongside economic and social progress. Despite these efforts, Vietnam’s regulations exhibit limitations and unpredictability, hindering effective responses to potential international investment disputes. This study examines Vietnam’s approach to these principles and its practical implementation toward achieving sustainable development goals through investment, using case studies and conceptual analysis of international investment agreements. The central research question explores how Vietnam can leverage international investment benefits while ensuring sustainable development. The article analyzes the interplay between sustainable development and investment promotion, identifies key principles in investment agreements, and highlights challenges for host countries like Vietnam in managing expropriation disputes tied to public interest criteria. Findings underscore the need to prioritize sustainable development in attracting investment, proposing legal enhancements to strengthen state remedies against investor violations, and minimizing expropriation lawsuits. By addressing these gaps, Vietnam can better enforce sustainable practices, balancing economic gains with environmental and human rights protections. The research advocates for refined legal provisions to enhance Vietnam’s capacity to resolve disputes and uphold sustainable development commitments, offering actionable recommendations to perfect its legal framework in this domain.

Mountain Biodiversity Is Central to Sustainable Development in Mountains and Beyond

Sustainable community development: integrating environmental, economic, and social objectives