Sustainable energy and environmental management practices in the recreation and tourism industries in Nsukka metropolis of Enugu State

Environmental degradation considered as one of the critical issues in the current world. To respond to this issue, organizations and businesses around the world seriously focus on environmental protection and management nowadays than before. Organizations strongly committed to adapt several sustainable environmental management practices and initiatives to prove their environmental concern. Meanwhile, it should be noticed that some organizations started pacing towards green washing declaration processes. In this sense, there is a need to explore and identify the sustainable environmental management practices which are actually practiced by the organizations.
 Hence, this paper aims to report existing sustainable environmental management practices of the organization and to find out the evidence to support the existing sustainable environmental management practices into practice. In order to achieve the study objectives, secondary data were collected mainly from the published sustainability reports of the selected apparel company for the last two years (2013/2014 and 2014/2015). Further, researchers employed the observation method to confirm whether this company is really carrying out the environmental practices which were reported in their sustainability reports or not. The researchers have identified and highlighted several sustainable environmental management practices under the three main categories such as energy conservation-related practices, water conservation-related practices and earth conservation-related practices through the sustainability reports of the company. Moreover, through the observation, researchers have confirmed that this company is really carrying out the energy conservation-related practices, water conservation-related practices and earth conservation-related practices which were reported in their sustainability reports. This study should be useful to the academics and practitioners to understand actual sustainable environmental management practices of the organizations.

In the last two decades an increasing number of studies have focused on the impacts of tourism development on the environment aimed at the depletion of natural resources, the generation of waste and pollution and general environmental degradation. Consequently, the huge growth in the hotel industry has considerably affected the environment at a global level as the sector consumes large amounts of energy, water and non-durable products. Hotels are therefore now urged to engage in responsible and sustainable environmental management practices. Often hotel managers are keen to engage in responsible environmental practices but are unable to do so due to certain impediments. This article examines the barriers or challenges that are faced in adopting more sustainable and responsible environmental management practices in hotels in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. n total, 142 hotels (including hotel chains as one entity) were identified in KwaZulu-Natal and a census approach was adopted, in that all 142 were approached to participate in the study. Sixty hotels responded. Data was collected through a web-based, online survey questionnaire. The findings reveal that hoteliers are faced with a number of barriers in the implementation of environmental management practices. These barriers include lack of knowledge and expertise, lack of resources to implement certain environmental management practices, lack of government assistance, lack of legislation and regulation and high costs. Furthermore, a noteworthy finding is that a number of hotels in KwaZulu-Natal are unaware of the savings potential associated with environmental programmes, that is, the direct benefits to their establishments.

Zimbabwe's rapidly expanding tourism sector faces urgent sustainability challenges related to waste management, environmental protection, and reliable energy access that require innovative solutions. This research delves into the complex interplay among independent variables: food waste recycling, animal waste recycling, wood waste recycling, crop residue recycling, sewage sludge recycling, mediator: green tourism supply chain management and dependent variable environmental management and energy sustainability within the context of Zimbabwean tourism. A quantitative approach was employed, collecting data from 853 Zimbabwean tourism supply chain representatives using simple random sampling and the Krejcie and Morgan table, a method of determining the sample size. Questionnaires were distributed via Google Forms, and structural equation modeling was utilized for data analysis. The results reveal notable and positive relationships for both direct and indirect hypotheses, with each demonstrating T-statistics surpassing the 1.96 threshold, ranging from 2.204 as the minimum value to 7.802 as the maximum value. The quantitative results clearly demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits possible from sustainable waste, energy, and environmental management practices in Zimbabwe's tourism industry. The projected reductions in emissions, waste, fuel usage, and costs provide tourism supply chain stakeholders with robust evidence to justify greater investments in green infrastructure and systems. By elucidating the sustainability improvements feasible, the findings equip policymakers with actionable data to shape policies, incentives, and public-private partnerships that accelerate the transition toward a more circular tourism economy.

This research study conducted in Egypt focuses on addressing the issue of industrial water pollution and promoting sustainable water and environmental management practices. The study introduces a novel tool called the Industrial Wastewater Quality Index (IWQI) and utilizes two assessment methods to evaluate the extent of water pollution caused by industrial effluents. The IWQI takes into consideration both the environmental limits specified by Egyptian legislation and industry‐specific parameters, effectively condensing extensive water quality data into simplified categories. The IWQI model proves to be a dependable instrument for assessing the overall quality of groundwater intended for industrial use. It incorporates multiple water quality indices and employs multivariate statistical analysis techniques to determine the contribution of each parameter to industrial water quality. This comprehensive analysis enhances the reliability of the model, making it a valuable point of reference for similar locations worldwide, particularly those sharing similar climatic conditions. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders involved in regulating and mitigating industrial water pollution in Egypt. The findings also have relevance to other countries facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of developing effective techniques for investigating pollution sources, monitoring water quality, and forecasting future trends. The study underscores the necessity of implementing proactive measures to address industrial water pollution and protect water resources and ecosystems. By emphasizing these aspects, the study emphasizes the importance of promoting sustainable water and environmental management practices. Overall, the IWQI and the study's findings contribute to the development of strategies to manage and control industrial water pollution and can guide policymakers and stakeholders in Egypt and other countries facing similar challenges.

Non-technical summary Tourism significantly boosts a nation's economic growth, but unrestrained practices can cause serious environmental damage. As an essential part of the tourism industry, hotels meet the fundamental needs of tourists. This study examines the sustainable environmental management practices of hotels in Malaysia. It finds that hotels prioritize cost-saving and short-term benefits over long-term environmental gains. The study also reveals variations in sustainable practices based on hotel location and star rating. These insights are useful for various stakeholders in developing strategies and initiatives to achieve sustainable development goals. Technical summary Sustainable environmental management practices (SEMP) are essential to pave the way toward achieving a net-zero emission sustainable future. This study explores the level of SEMP among hotels in Malaysia based on distinct categorizations of location and star ranking. The findings show that hotels in Malaysia adopt higher basic SEMPs but less advanced practices. However, the level of basic and advanced SEMPs in hotels differ according to their geographical locations and star ranking. The findings also suggest that hotels in Malaysia prioritize cost-saving practices and short-term benefits over the long-term benefits of sustainable practices. The study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the variations in the sustainable practices among different categories of hotels. Further, the findings are helpful for practitioners and policymakers in designing tools and measures, and promoting initiatives that best suit different types of hotels. Such efforts are crucial to promote and accelerate the engagement of sustainability practices in hotels.

This study was designed to determine the degree of use of sustainable environmental management practices in Ifedore local government area of Ondo state. Random sampling techniques was used for sample selection in five villages of the three zones of ht study area. Data were gathered from 120 crop farmers. Respondents were grouped into 4 categories of use of sustainable environmental management practices on the basis of scores obtained for those practices engaged in by them as follows; i. Environmentally sustainable practices (70% and above) with 7 respondents (5.83 percent) ii. Environmentally compatible practices (50 to 60%) with 78 respondents (65 percent) iii. Environmentally unfriendly practice (30 to 49%) with 19 respondents (15.83 percent) iv. Environmentally damaging practices (0 to 29%) with 16 respondents (13.34 percent) The sustainable environmental management practices include; Tree planting (93.33%) and Multiple cropping (90.83%), while zero tillage and alley farming had (34.16%) and (26.67%) respectively. The multiple regression analysis results indicate that farm size, tenure in farming, household size and age are important determinants of degree of sustainable environmental management practices use with R2 = 0.75, 0.65 and 0.78 for linear, semi log and double log form of equations respectively. Farmers should be encouraged to use such practices to prevent deterioration and degradation of environment and extension agents should provide more skills training in order to attain sustainable agricultural development. [JEXT Vol.2(1) 2001: 3-9]


 
 
 The study assessed the use of sustainable environmental management practices (SEMP) by fish farmers in Enugu state, Nigeria. Seventy-five catfish farmers selected through multistage sampling procedure were used for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics, probit regression model and factor analysis. Results showed that most of the catfish farmers did not apply SEMP as only 25.33% of them had a score of 50% and above regarding the application of SEMP. The number of years spent in school and being a male significantly increased the likelihood of using SEMP. In contrast, the likelihood of use of SEMP significantly reduced with an increase in the number of production cycles carried out by a fish farmer. The fish farmers' constraints were grouped as poor technical knowledge and feed issues, financial uncertainties, and water supply problems. Government should deliver training packages and provide information on SEMP to catfish farmers through different media, including extension agents, radio and television messages, handbills and billboards. Supporting the farmers with credit facilities through existing credit programmes would help reduce their challenges in applying SEMP.
 
 

Environmental degradation has emerged as a critical global issue, significantly impacting ecosystems and human health, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria. The need for comprehensive and sustainable environmental management practices is paramount to address these challenges effectively. This study aims to assess the current state of environmental degradation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives undertaken during World Environment Day (WED) 2024 to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. The study employed a mixed-method approach, including field observations, community surveys, and analysis of environmental data. Activities during WED 2024, such as tree planting, educational lectures, and site visits, were evaluated to determine their impact on raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices. The activities conducted during WED 2024 significantly increased community awareness about environmental issues and the importance of sustainable practices. The planting of 500 native saplings contributed to combating deforestation and soil erosion, while educational lectures and site visits provided residents with practical knowledge and insights into environmental conservation. The initiatives undertaken during WED 2024 in Bayelsa State have laid a strong foundation for fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. By engaging the community and promoting sustainable practices, these efforts have set a positive precedent for future conservation activities, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable environment. To build on the success of these initiatives, it is recommended that the Bayelsa State Government enact stricter environmental laws and regulations. Increased environmental advocacy by the Nigerian Environmental Society and other stakeholders is crucial, along with adopting sustainable agricultural practices and improving waste management systems. This study highlights the critical role of community engagement and education in promoting environmental conservation. The findings demonstrate that targeted initiatives, such as those undertaken during WED 2024, can significantly enhance environmental awareness and drive sustainable practices, contributing to the overall resilience and sustainability of ecosystems in Bayelsa State and beyond.

This study explores the impact of sustainable environmental management practices (SEMPs) on the financial performance (FP) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, emphasising the moderating role of board effectiveness. Data collected from 650 SMEs using structured questionnaires were analysed through structural equation modelling. Findings indicate that biodiversity management and sustainable waste management significantly enhance financial performance, with the latter having the strongest effect. However, emissions management showed no significant financial benefits, highlighting limited returns on emissions-focused investments among Ghanaian SMEs. Board effectiveness significantly amplified the positive impacts of biodiversity and waste management on financial outcomes, demonstrating the importance of governance in achieving sustainability. Effective boards, characterised by diversity, independence, and sustainability expertise, foster robust environmental strategies and resource allocation, thereby enhancing the financial viability of SEMPs. This study provides empirical evidence and theoretical insights into how governance structures can optimise the financial outcomes of sustainable initiatives. The findings contribute to stakeholder and legitimacy theories, showing how sustainable practices increase organisational legitimacy and stakeholder acceptance, leading to improved financial performance. From a policy perspective, the results underscore the need for guidelines and incentives to strengthen corporate governance and encourage sustainable practices in SMEs. Practical recommendations include adopting effective governance frameworks and prioritising sustainability initiatives that align with financial and environmental goals. These insights are crucial for SMEs in Ghana and other similar economies, offering a pathway to balance sustainability with profitability and long-term growth.

Pollution status monitoring and indices development for evaluating sustainable environmental management practices (SEMP) in Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Pakistan

As the number of Internet of Things devices is rapidly increasing, there is an urgent need for sustainable and efficient energy sources and management practices in ambient environments. In response, we developed a high-efficiency ambient photovoltaic based on sustainable non-toxic materials and present a full implementation of a long short-term memory (LSTM) based energy management using on-device prediction on IoT sensors solely powered by ambient light harvesters. The power is supplied by dye-sensitised photovoltaic cells based on a copper(ii/i) electrolyte with an unprecedented power conversion efficiency at 38% and 1.0 V open-circuit voltage at 1000 lux (fluorescent lamp). The on-device LSTM predicts changing deployment environments and adapts the devices' computational load accordingly to perpetually operate the energy-harvesting circuit and avoid power losses or brownouts. Merging ambient light harvesting with artificial intelligence presents the possibility of developing fully autonomous, self-powered sensor devices that can be utilized across industries, health care, home environments, and smart cities.

The study explores the impact of ecological supply chain management practices such as Green Supply Chain, environmental and operational management practices of organizational performance in Ghana. The organizational performance was measured based upon three parameters constituting Sustainable Environmental Performance (SENP), Sustainable Economic Performance (SECP), and Competitiveness (COMP). Exogenous factors included the constructs of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) practices and the single-item construct voluntary adoption of SSCM practices, while endogenous variables included the three aspects of firm performance. The relationship between sustainable management practices and organizational performance was ascertained using Structural Equation Modeling. A few significant results are presented as follows; (1) Environmental Management Practices (EMP) results in enhanced Sustainable Environmental Performance (SENP) and Sustainable Economic Performance (SECP); (2) Organizational Performance has a strong correlation with SECP and COMP; (3) SECP has a substantial and favorable relationship with both competitiveness and sustainable environmental performance, as well as sustainable economic performance. The positive relationship between SSCM practices and firm performance demonstrates that continual sustainable management principles eventually improve community capacity. This ultimately results in an organization’s competitiveness. Additionally, the managerial implications of the results are addressed.

The objective of this paper is to explore how the various stages of consciousness development of top managers can influence, in practical terms, their abilities in and commitment to environmental leadership in different types of SMEs. A case study based on 63 interviews carried out in 15 industrial SMEs showed that the organizations that displayed the most environmental management practices were mostly run by managers at a post-conventional stage of consciousness development. Conversely, the SMEs that displayed less sustainable environmental management practices were all run by managers at conventional stages of development. Drawing upon diverse examples of environmental leadership, this paper analyzes the reasons why the stages of post-conventional consciousness development of top managers seem to foster corporate greening in SMEs. The study also sheds light on the key values and abilities associated with both environmental leadership and the upper-stages of consciousness development, which include a broader and systemic perspective, long-range focus, integration of conflicting goals, collaboration with stakeholders, complexity management, collaborative learning, among others.

To support sustainable environmental management and agricultural practices, this study examines the sophisticated uses of nanoparticles and nanotubes in the remediation of industrial, farming, and sewage wastes and their function in creating biofertilizers. Because of their unique qualities, which include a large surface area, reactivity, and adjustable features, nanoparticles are very good at adsorbing, breaking down, and eliminating contaminants from wastewater. Because of their conductivity and structural robustness, nanotubes further improve cleanup procedures by enabling quick pollutant absorption and destruction, particularly for complex pollutants, including organic compounds, heavy metals, and pesticides. The efficacy, stability, and possible environmental hazards of several nanomaterial types, such as metal oxides, carbon-based nanoparticles, and functionalized nanotubes, are examined in this study. The article also emphasizes the dual use of these nanotechnologies in creating biofertilizers, which can support agricultural yield increase, soil health improvement, and nutrient cycling. This strategy offers a viable technique to lower environmental pollutants and promote sustainable farming methods using nanotechnology in wastewater treatment and agriculture. The paper also discusses the obstacles and restrictions to widespread use, including expense, possible toxicity, and regulatory issues. This article sheds light on nanotechnology's present and potential agricultural and environmental management applications, thoroughly examining its contribution to developing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

This study assesses the relationships between vegetation dynamics and climatic variations in Pakistan from 2000 to 2023. Employing high-resolution Landsat data for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) assessments, integrated with climate variables from CHIRPS and ERA5 datasets, our approach leverages Google Earth Engine (GEE) for efficient processing. It combines statistical methodologies, including linear regression, Mann–Kendall trend tests, Sen's slope estimator, partial correlation, and cross wavelet transform analyses. The findings highlight significant spatial and temporal variations in NDVI, with an annual increase averaging 0.00197 per year (p < 0.0001). This positive trend is coupled with an increase in precipitation by 0.4801 mm/year (p = 0.0016). In contrast, our analysis recorded a slight decrease in temperature (− 0.01011 °C/year, p < 0.05) and a reduction in solar radiation (− 0.27526 W/m2/year, p < 0.05). Notably, cross-wavelet transform analysis underscored significant coherence between NDVI and climatic factors, revealing periods of synchronized fluctuations and distinct lagged relationships. This analysis particularly highlighted precipitation as a primary driver of vegetation growth, illustrating its crucial impact across various Pakistani regions. Moreover, the analysis revealed distinct seasonal patterns, indicating that vegetation health is most responsive during the monsoon season, correlating strongly with peaks in seasonal precipitation. Our investigation has revealed Pakistan's complex association between vegetation health and climatic factors, which varies across different regions. Through cross-wavelet analysis, we have identified distinct coherence and phase relationships that highlight the critical influence of climatic drivers on vegetation patterns. These insights are crucial for developing regional climate adaptation strategies and informing sustainable agricultural and environmental management practices in the face of ongoing climatic changes.