State of automobile transport development of Latvian territories in the context of spatial inequality

Study of the spatio-temporal variation of environmental sustainability at national and provincial levels in China

Artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) is a critical means of livelihood for many, particularly in Ghana's rural mining communities, providing substantial financial support for households. However, illegal ASM activities have engendered pervasive apprehensions due to their adverse environmental repercussions and sustainability impediments. This review examines the positive benefits as well as the negative implications of illegal ASM on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), drawing on empirical evidence from primary research articles and grey literature. This review paper used a systematic approach to gather and analyse relevant literature. An extensive literature search was conducted across databases, including Web of Science Core Collection, EMBASE, GEOBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on peer-reviewed journal publications and relevant grey literature. The inclusion criteria focused on key themes relevant to the topic, while the exclusion criteria eliminated content that did not meet standards, including doubtful or predatory sources. The data extraction summarised findings and conclusions to highlight trends and gaps. A qualitative synthesis provided an overview and a potential guide for future research. The findings reveal that illegal ASM has resulted in significant contamination of freshwater resources. Analysis of water samples found concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, with values of 0.28, 0.13, 0.30, and 0.03mg/l, respectively. Similarly, sediment analysis demonstrated concentrations of these heavy metals above sediment quality guidelines, with 22.92mg/kg for arsenic, 5.41mg/kg for cadmium, 98.01mg/kg for lead, and 0.81mg/kg for mercury. Furthermore, specific river sediment concentrations surpassed guideline values, particularly in the Birim River and others. Over the period from April 2013 to June 2024, approximately 377 artisanal small-scale miners perished due to mine pit collapses. Additionally, a 25% reduction in forest cover has occurred in Southwestern Ghana within the last decade, with artisanal mining activities impacting an estimated 2,700 hectares of land and encroaching on 800 hectares of protected areas. Notwithstanding the beneficial contributions of ASM to SDG 1 and 2, namely job creation and income generation for rural mining communities, the detrimental impacts of ASM appear to surpass the benefits. Illegal ASM disrupts progress towards numerous SDGs, including SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land. This review calls for stakeholders, especially governments, to address small-scale mining's problems. ASM offers economic benefits, but its adverse impact on health, environment, and sustainability requires balanced regulation and support for sustainable practices. Responsible policymaking is crucial as ASM grows globally, with major impacts on local communities and the environment. Policymakers must work with ASM operators, civil society, and experts to develop and implement a plan that promotes responsible mining, protects the environment, and secures the long-term viability of this key economic activity.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health system & Sustainable Development Goal 3.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are grouped under three main titles; economic development, environmental sustainability, and improvement of social well-being. Environmental sustainability is one of the most important components of sustainable development goals because it is obvious that without a sustainable environment, economic and social development goals will be abandoned. While the unplanned use of the environment and natural resources threatens environmental sustainability, it can be said that one of the most important actors in this process is sports. Mass production and consumption, facility establishment, and increase in organizations in sports accelerate environmental and natural destruction. The sustainability of sports is directly proportional to environmental sustainability. Therefore, reduction of the sports-induced negative environmental impacts will make great contributions to environmental sustainability. In this way, it will be possible to transfer both the natural environment and sports to future generations. This study was limited to environmental sustainability, which is one of the three main titles set for sustainable development goals and the effects of sports on environmental sustainability were evaluated in the light of available literature. Again, regarding the existing literature, suggestions were developed to reduce the negative environmental impacts of sports.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Requires Transdisciplinary Innovation at the Local Scale

Abstract. The article deals with the conceptual and applied principles of forming a sustainable environmental management policy in the context of global environmental challenges. Against the backdrop of climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and increasing anthropogenic pressure, the paper analyzes the relevance of implementing a “green recovery” strategy as a tool for achieving environmental safety and economic sustainability. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between effective natural resource management, economic productivity and the achievement of sustainable development goals, in particular in the context of the twelfth Sustainable Development Goal on responsible consumption and production. The scientific approaches to the assessment of natural capital are generalized, with an emphasis on the importance of integrated indicators of sustainable development of regions, which take into account economic, environmental, social, infrastructure and innovation components. The article substantiates that the balanced use of natural resources, reuse, increasing the regenerative capacity of ecosystems and the introduction of green economic incentives are key elements of the modern model of environmentally oriented management. Goal. The purpose of the paper is to reveal approaches to rational and balanced management of natural resources as a key factor in ensuring environmental safety and achieving the goals of sustainable development of Ukraine, to substantiate the need to improve national policy in this area, taking into account global challenges and European integration benchmarks. To achieve this goal, in the context of European integration processes, it is necessary to study sustainable development goals, objectives and indicators in the direction of responsible consumption to ensure the transition to rational consumption and production models. Methodology. The study is aimed at generalizing scientific approaches to the assessment of natural capital, with an emphasis on the importance of integrated indicators of sustainable development of regions, which take into account economic, environmental, social, infrastructure and innovation components. Results. Scientific approaches to the assessment of natural capital are summarized and it is substantiated that the balanced use of natural resources, reuse, increasing the regeneration capacity of ecosystems and the introduction of green economic incentives are key elements of the modern model of environmentally oriented management. Originality. The advantage of this approach may be the standardization of the assessment methodology, which allows for the simultaneous analysis of indicators measured in different units. In addition to the traditional economic, social and environmental criteria, the methodology also includes an assessment of indicators related to innovation and infrastructure. Such a comprehensive approach significantly expands the analytical scope of the study and increases the importance of the integral index as a tool for assessing sustainable development. Practical value. Highlighting the links between effective management of natural resources, economic productivity and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular in the context of the implementation of the twelfth Sustainable Development Goal on responsible consumption and production, as well as substantiating the approach to assessing natural capital, with an emphasis on the importance of integrated indicators of sustainable development of regions.

Improving the environmental sustainability of the food supply chain will help to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This environmental sustainability is related to different SDGs, but mainly to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The strategies and measures used to improve this aspect of the food supply chain must remain in balance with other sustainability aspects (economic and social). In this framework, the interactions and possible conflicts between food supply chain safety and sustainability need to be assessed. Although priority must be given to safety aspects, food safety policies should be calibrated in order to avoid unnecessary deleterious effects on the environment. In the present review, a number of potential tensions and/or disagreements between the microbial safety and environmental sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain are identified and discussed. The addressed issues are spread throughout the food supply chain, from primary production to the end-of-life of the products, and also include the handling and processing industry, retailers, and consumers. Interactions of fresh produce microbial safety with topics such as food waste, supply chain structure, climate change, and use of resources have been covered. Finally, approaches and strategies that will prove useful to solve or mitigate the potential contradictions between fresh produce safety and sustainability are described and discussed. Upon analyzing the interplay between microbial safety and the environmental sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain, it becomes clear that decisions that are taken to ensure fresh produce safety must consider the possible effects on environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects. To manage these interactions, a global approach considering the interconnections between human activities, animals, and the environment will be required.

The success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on solving the ‘nexus’ challenge: how can positive interactions between SDGs be optimised, and negative interactions minimised, in order to create co-benefits and reduce trade-offs? Due to their varying impacts on the SDGs, the economic activities undertaken by organisations present a key lever for operationalising this SDG-nexus. Yet the interactions between individual economic activities and the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development have not been systematically assessed, thus creating a vital operational bottleneck to achieving the SDGs. This paper conducts a systematic review of 876 articles published between 2005 and 2019 to study the nexus between individual economic activities, sustainable development in general, and the SDGs in specific. It finds that studies on agricultural, industrial, and manufacturing activities predominantly report negative impacts on environmental development, while literature on services activities highlight economic and social contributions. Overall, most economic activities are expected to positively impact industrialization, infrastructure, and innovation [SDG 9] and economic productivity [SDG 8], while many help meet basic needs [SDGs 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11]. However, negative impacts are widespread, afflicting ecosystems [SDGs 14 and 15], climate change [SDG 13] and human health [SDG 3]. We synthesise positive and negative interactions between individual economic activities and SDG targets and discuss implications for: integrated (nexus) governance approaches to the SDGs; the role of the private sector in promoting sustainable development; and for improving statistical classifications to monitor economic activities’ SDG impacts.

ABSTRACTThe United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges; however, their implementation reveals critical tensions between development priorities and climate action that warrant deeper examination. Indeed, one significant factor impacting the implementation of the SDGs is the presence of conflicts between certain goals. Accordingly, this study aims to critically examine how the pursuit of economic growth (SDG 8), food security (SDG 2), clean energy (SDG 7), and urban development (SDG 11) may exacerbate climate change and environmental degradation (SDGs 13–15) while also reinforcing social inequalities (SDGs 6, 10). Employing a review‐based approach to assess SDG interactions—focusing on the climate‐development nexus, particularly the relationship between economic expansion (SDG 8), environmental sustainability (SDGs 13–15), and social equity (SDGs 1, 5, and 10)—this research identifies key areas of conflict that challenge the framework's internal coherence. Findings indicate significant trade‐offs between economic growth and environmental sustainability, alongside previously underexamined tensions between social equity goals and resource‐intensive development strategies. Accordingly, the study proposes a roadmap for resolving these tensions through integrated climate governance, targeted interventions, and cross‐sectoral decision‐making that aligns development with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. The practical implications of the study are twofold. First, it triggers a reflection on the root causes of conflicting goals, a serious problem that has been largely overlooked. Second, it highlights the importance of addressing the need to pay more attention to existing conflicts, as they have adverse effects that should be avoided. By offering actionable recommendations, this study contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainable development within the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation. It provides a strategic pathway toward balancing economic development with environmental resilience, ensuring that SDG implementation aligns with the urgent need for climate action within the remaining timeframe before 2030.

Since the introduction of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the pursuit of human well-being through development and planetary sustainability for a better future has become a global discourse (de Jong & Vijge, 2021; Naseer et al., 2025; Arora-Jonsson, 2023). The SDGs have catalyzed interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthened global commitment (Naseer et al., 2025) by emphasizing the balance and integration of economic, social, and environmental aspects (Sedovs et al., 2025). However, the assumption that all goals can be achieved simultaneously and harmoniously seems hasty and potentially ignores the inherent tensions between ecological and economic interests (Spaiser et al., 2016; Glinik et al., 2024). For example, land-use changes drivened by economic growth can lead to ecosystem degradation (Luo & He, 2023). Furthermore, biodiversity degradation and the climate crisis are often frame within the logic of global capitalism to encourage economic growth (Rosales, 2008; van Niekerk, 2020). Economic growth itself is ambivalent, on the one hand promoting development, but on the other driving environmental degradation. Today's realities also show that the consistent rapid increase in industrial and service sector activity has placed enormous pressure on the environment and natural resources (Sadiq et al., 2022). In this context, the SDGs can be seen as a promising normative framework, but their implementation ultimately depends on the ability to interpret and manage the tensions between goals. Governance plays a critical role in the success of sustainable development initiatives (Filho et al., 2023; Adebayo et al., 2025; Naseer et al., 2025). Good governance ensures that policies are effectively enforced, resources are allocated efficiently, and stakeholders are adequately engaged (Handoyo, 2024). Environmental sustainability is driven by appropriate physical planning and land use, as well as ecological or biodiversity conservation (Paudel & States, 2023). The successful implementation of the SDGs will depend on untangling the complex interactions between their goals and targets (Breuer et al., 2019). An integrated approach requires both to sustainability requires simultaneously realizing the potential of its key dimensions, as well as managing the tensions, trade-offs, and synergies between them. This is where an interdisciplinary approach in environmental science becomes essential. Such an approach focuses not only on calculating environmental degradation but also on dominant narratives and reconstructing power relations. Understanding environmental risk, for example, cannot be separated from the historical, social, and political context surrounding it. Environmental risk is not simply a neutral, objective entity, but rather a construct shaped by power, knowledge, and access to decision-making. Therefore, all decisions must strive to promote positive growth and balance within natural systems (Mensah, 2019) Environmental science offers a platform that integrates scientific discussion, policy action, and community aspirations to reposition development as a reflective and participatory process. The challenge extends beyond simply collecting more data or refining indicators; it involves innovating an ethical system robust enough to manage conflicts between values, priorities, and visions of sustainability itself. Herein lies the urgency: making environmental science a space for critical reflection. The diversity of local conditions presents both challenges and opportunities in the application of global sustainability frameworks, as discussed through the diverse case studies in this issue, from soil microbial dynamics in Bangladesh (Begum et al., 2025), to the transformation of livelihoods among illegal gold miners in Indonesia (Ardikoesoema & Karuniasa, 2025). Both studies emphasize that science-based solutions can be integrated into sustainable development strategies at various scales. This geographic and methodological diversity enables a deeper understanding of how principles of sustainability practices can be contextualized locally while still contributing to global goals. The Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development has been indexed by Scopus [JESSD Scopus Link] and presents various studies that demonstrate the concrete contribution of environmental science in achieving the SDGs through a multi-scale and interdisciplinary approach. The current 14th issue of the Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development presents a series of studies that demonstrate the concrete contribution of environmental science at various scales in achieving the SDGs through a multi-scale and interdisciplinary approach. The articles in this issue not only support these claims empirically and rigorously but also demonstrate, in practical terms, how environmental research can be translated into effective strategies for sustainable development at the local, national, and global levels.

The United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent aspirations for human development that necessitate the epiphany of a universal yet varied set of ethical values, social equity, sustainability, and healthy lifestyle within a clean, safe environment. However, recent events such as Covid‐19 and the Ukraine–Russia Impasse have been a bane to achieving these goals. Consequently, there is the need to find innovative ways to increase accomplishments. Given that the SDGs are inherently interconnected and that achieving one is a suitable springboard for achieving others, we hypothesize the whole SDGs in four dimensions: (i) environmental, (ii) economic, (iii) human development, and (iv) energy sustainability to aid in cost effective implementation and comparative analysis between BRICS and G7 countries. Proxying SDGs 3 and 4 with human development, SDG 8 with economic growth, SDG 13 with environmental sustainability, and SDG 7 with energy sustainability, we use panel data from 2000 to 2020. We conducted a thorough empirical investigation and used sophisticated econometric approaches—Driscoll–Kraay for the principal analysis and fixed effect for robustness check. From the analysis, we conclude that the policy frame of UN‐SDG is inconsistent within the panel (BRICS and G7 nations), suggesting that these policy instruments need a uniform harmonization in the policy framework. In conclusion, a policy framework must be created in such a manner that, while having the ability to improve the environment, the pattern of economic growth is preserved, and human progress pursues its goals with priority access to sustainable energy.

In this research, water productivity of annual crops in Moghan plain using physical and economic productivity indices were evaluated and the relationship between physical and economic productivity based on field data has were analyzed. The physical productivity of wheat, canola, soybean, rice, corn, forage, corn, melon, alfalfa, tomato, barley, nectarine, watermelon, cucumber and sugar beet were 1/27, 0/5, 0/67, 0/069, 4/5, 0/45, 3/2, 0/25, 3/46, 1/19, 0/55, 3/1, 0/42 and 5/5 (kg / m3), respectively. Also, Economic water productivity of these crops were 1098, 572, 702, 313, 542, 2286, 322, 97, 832, 685, 547, 279, 267 and 1111, respectively. (Tomans/m3). The results of the interaction matrix and the density of the physical and economic water productivity showed that barley, rice, alfalfa, nylon, cucumber and canola are relatively weak or weak based on physical and economical water productivity indices. Forage, melon and honey physical productivity was in good condition, while in terms of economic productivity, the situation is relatively weak. Among the studied crops, only Sugar beet and tomato water productivity were at a good or good situation for both indices. In general, the results of the research showed relatively poor water productivity at the plain. Also, the findings showed that there is no logical and mathematical relationship between the two indices of physical and economical productivity water. Depending on the water productivity index, the proposed management approaches will be completely different. Hence, both indices should be evaluated in each region and differences of indices should be noticed in water planning.

Contributions of ecological programs to sustainable development goals in Linzhi, over the Tibetan Plateau: A mental map perspective

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework for achieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability by 2030. Despite Bangladesh being one of the leading aquaculture‐producing countries, no comprehensive study has examined the contributions of aquaculture to achieving the SDGs. This comprehensive review‐based study demonstrates that aquaculture in Bangladesh contributes to nearly all SDGs through direct, indirect, related, and associated pathways. In 2022–2023, Bangladesh produced 4.9 million MT of fish, with aquaculture accounting for 58.03% of total production. Aquaculture production strengthens food security (SDG 2) and health (SDG 3) by providing nutrient‐rich fish, particularly small indigenous species (SIS), which supply essential micronutrients. Through income generated from aquaculture farming in rural areas, farmers significantly improved infrastructure for drinking water and sanitation facilities (SDG 6) and reduced dependance on polluted water sources. The sector also fosters decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) by creating employment opportunities across production, processing and trade, reducing poverty (SDG 1), and economic inequality (SDG 10). Environmentally, aquaculture contributes to climate action (SDG 13) by adopting low‐carbon farming techniques, such as pond fish‐vegetable, integrated rice‐fish, and rice‐fish‐vegetable farming. It protects life below water (SDG 14) by reducing overfishing and conserving marine biodiversity, while promoting responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) through sustainable feed innovations and waste management. Additionally, aquaculture enhances sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) by ensuring a stable fish supply for urban populations and supporting rooftop and peri‐urban aquaponics. It also strengthens peace and partnerships (SDG 16 and 17) to an extent by fostering collaboration among government bodies, private enterprises, and research institutions. Future research should prioritize climate‐resilient fish farming, cost‐effective aquaculture, and AI monitoring while strengthening value chains, export access, governance, public–private partnerships, and renewable energy to ensure sustainable aquaculture growth and broader SDG achievement.

Industry 4.0 is a concept that originated from the German industry, and whose essence is the use of technology for efficient production. In business today, the emergence of Industry 4.0 for production, and its related technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems, amongst others, have, however, a negative impact on environmental sustainability as a result of air pollution, the poor discharge of waste, and the intensive use of raw materials, information, and energy. The method used in this study is an analysis of a literature review of manuscripts discussing topics related to Industry 4.0 and environmental sustainability published between 2000 and 2020. There is currently a gap existing between the actual and the desired situation, in that production occurs in a weak sustainability model, and, therefore, this research debates the effects on environmental sustainability and the challenges facing Industry 4.0. Four scenarios are discussed: a deployment scenario, an operation scenario, integration and compliance with sustainable development goals, and a long-run scenario. The results indicate that there is a negative relationship related to the flow of the production process from the inputs to the final product, including raw materials, energy requirements, information, and waste disposal, and their impacts on the environment. However, the integration of Industry 4.0 and the sustainable development goals enhance environmental sustainability to create ecological support that guarantees high environmental performance with a more positive impact than before. This paper will help stakeholders and companies to provide solutions to the existing environmental challenges that can be mediated through adopting new technologies. The novelty of this study is its depiction of Industry 4.0 and its technologies integrated with sustainable development goals to create a sustainable Industry 4.0 combining environmental protection and sustainability.