Address Sustainability Challenges Research Articles

Impact of population mobility on regional carbon emissions: empirical evidence from Australia

Understanding carbon emissions through the lens of population mobility is crucial for addressing sustainability challenges and fostering economic development. This study aims to investigate the influence of population mobility on carbon emissions in Australia, providing insights for targeted policy interventions. Utilizing panel datasets spanning from 2007 to 2020, encompassing both international and domestic migration in Australia, empirical analyses were conducted. The focus was on assessing the relationship between population mobility and regional carbon emissions. The study reveals distinct effects of domestic and international population mobility on carbon emissions. Domestic mobility demonstrates a negative correlation, whereas international mobility shows a positive association with carbon emissions. Moreover, significant regional heterogeneity in carbon emissions is observed, influenced by economic development and population size variations between eastern and western regions. These findings underscore the importance of tailored emission reduction strategies based on the nature of population mobility. By elucidating the intricate dynamics between mobility patterns and carbon emissions, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of CO2 emission trends, informing policy decisions amidst the challenges posed by global climate change.

A Multifunctional Device for Simultaneous Hypersaline Wastewater Desalination, Waste Acid-Base Neutralization, and Electricity Generation

Industrial wastewater treatment is a pressing global challenge that requires sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Conventional methods for treating industrial wastewater are often energy-intensive and limited to specific types of wastewater. Therefore, there is a need for innovative approaches that can simultaneously treat multiple types of wastewater while minimizing energy consumption. Herein, we report a circular wastewater-economy approach in which a multifunctional device is utilized to simultaneously treat three types of industrial wastewater (i.e., hypersaline wastewater, waste acid, and waste base). Remarkably, the proposed device exhibits a high salt removal performance (e.g., 87.7% for 80856.39mgL-1 hypersaline wastewater while 98.8% for natural seawater), along with a significant reduction in acidity/alkalinity of waste acid/base and a decent amount of electricity. The experimental results validate the device performance of treating artificially produced and complex wastewater solutions. It also demonstrates a highly stable operation in continuous flow mode over 100hours, verifying its potential scalability and long-term stability. The comprehensive theoretical and experimental analyses provide deeper insights into the influence of key properties of ions on the ion transport mechanism and performance. Techno-economic analyses show that the proposed device holds great promise for addressing sustainability challenges associated with industrial wastewater treatment.

Sustainability à la carte: A systematic review of green restaurant research (2010-2023)

ABSTRACT This paper delves into the realm of green restaurants, which seamlessly combine environmentally conscious practices with culinary excellence. It scrutinized 106 reputable hospitality and tourism articles using systematic literature review methods. The analysis, featuring descriptive examination and topic modeling, revealed significant developments in green restaurant research and highlighted their potential to address sustainability challenges. Employing an adapted TCCM framework (Theory, Context, Characteristics, and Methodology), the review suggests new research directions, placing a heightened focus on the “characteristics” aspect to align academic insights with global priorities and industry requirements. This promotes actionable and collaborative strategies for eco-friendly restaurants.

Sustainable Islamic Financial Engineering with Special Reference to Gulf Cooperation Council’s Economies

ABSTRACT Purpose — This paper explores how Islamic economics and finance, when developed as an embedded framework for regenerative development in line with maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (the objectives of Islamic law), can facilitate the design of sustainable contracts and Islamic financial engineering. This framework provides a mechanism to achieve the paradigm shift advocated by Islamic finance scholars to accommodate the sustainability agenda into the practical applications of Islamic economics and finance. The paper specifically focuses on the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) economies.    Design/Methodology/Approach — This study employs an analytical research approach to evaluate the compatibility of Islamic social and commercial finance with sustainability objectives. The analysis is primarily qualitative and relies on the One Earth Framework proposed by Simpson et al. (2021) to structure the assessment of opportunities and challenges related to sustainability that Islamic economics and finance in the GCC region can help address. Findings — The paper highlights the potential of Islamic economics and finance as an embedded framework to address sustainability challenges in the GCC countries. By examining the capacity of Islamic finance to accommodate sustainability pathways, it elucidates avenues for integrating sustainable practices within Islamic financial contracts and institutions. Originality/Value — One of the key contributions of this paper is the introduction and development of Islamic economics and finance as an embedded framework. This pioneering concept not only lays the groundwork for a practical mechanism but also signifies a fundamental step in realising the paradigm shift within Islamic finance. This transformative approach enhances the relevance and effectiveness of Islamic finance in fostering sustainability, marking a significant advancement in the field. Research Limitations — While the study provides valuable insights, it primarily follows an analytical approach and does not involve quantitative analysis. It serves as a starting point for further research on the integration of sustainability objectives in Islamic finance. Practical Implications — The paper suggests practical implications for Islamic finance stakeholders, highlighting the potential for sustainable contract design and financial engineering. Keywords — Islamic finance,  Islamic financial engineering, Natural capital, Regenerative development, Sustainable contract design  Article Classification — Conceptual paper

Consolidating backcasting: A design framework towards a users’ guide

Backcasting has become a widely applied approach to address sustainability challenges when transformative changes are required. However, dispersed and contextualized knowledge of backcasting methodologies and practices needs to be systematized, codified, and synthesized to support researchers, commissioners, practitioners, and stakeholders in backcasting projects. In this paper, we address these issues by (i) concisely reviewing the evolution and current body of literature on backcasting and how this relates to other major types of futures and scenario studies and (ii) developing a design framework for researchers and practitioners that systematically covers all methodological choices with regard to key guiding questions to develop a backcasting methodology for a particular backcasting project. The developed design framework is based on four parts, characterized by the interrogatives when, which, how, and what, creating a comprehensive framework for describing a backcasting study.

Impacts beyond experimentation ‐ Conceptualising emergent impacts from long-term real-world laboratory processes

Real-world laboratories are settings for joint experimentation on sustainability challenges, through the transdisciplinary collaboration of diverse actor groups. By approaching a real-world laboratory from three perspectives, this paper uncovers the emergent impacts of a long-term collaborative process.Real-world laboratories have become a recognised research format for addressing sustainability challenges. In these transdisciplinary settings, actors from civil society, local government, and academia work together using a transdisciplinary research approach to jointly experiment and learn about sustainability transformations. While these labs are considered to have potential, their impact has not yet been fully measured. Therefore, in our paper we explore the case of the Zukunfts-stadt Lüneburg 2030+ process to uncover the impacts that this long-term effort has generated over the past eight years. By examining the process and its design features from three analytical perspectives, we identify emergent impacts in three dimensions: education, governance, and the lab as an actor for sustainability. Based on our case study, we suggest that real-world labs contribute to sustainability on a local level, beyond the intentional experiments, through impacts that emerge over the course of the joint operation of the lab.

Integrated design framework for smart agriculture: Bridging the gap between digitalization and sustainability

This study delves into the intricate interplay between digitalization and sustainability in agriculture, seeking to uncover how digital technologies can be harnessed to elevate and actualize smart agricultural (SA) practices. The research addresses three pivotal questions: (1) Does digitalization authentically ensure sustainability in agriculture? (2) What are the paramount sustainability requirements for digitalization in agriculture? (3) Can SA systems be viably designed to concurrently fulfill digital and sustainable requisites? Employing a two-stage Quality Function Deployment (QFD) framework with the interval-valued 2-Tuple linguistic (IV-2-TL) model, the methodology offers a nuanced analysis of relationships between sustainability-digitalization and SA. Validation through a Turkey-based case study demonstrates the methodology's effectiveness in identifying digital solutions for sustainability needs and prioritizing SA design requirements. This study contributes significantly in three key ways. Firstly, the IV-2-TL-QFD method provides a valuable decision-making framework to assess digitalization-sustainability-SA interconnections ensuring optimal SA design. Secondly, it identifies vital digitalization requirements for addressing sustainability challenges in the QFD framework. Third, a 10-step roadmap guides the transition to SA, portraying digitalization as instrumental in achieving broader sustainability. This study provides profound insights and tools, bridging the gap between digitalization and sustainable agriculture for a more resilient and environmentally responsible future in food production.

Innovative FOCUS: A Program to Foster Creativity and Innovation in the Context of Education for Sustainability

This study is based on the urgent need to adapt education systems to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It examines the implementation of the “Innovative FOCUS” program at the secondary school level to promote creative problem-solving skills in the sustainability context. The Innovative FOCUS program employs a two-stage approach, integrating flexibility, originality, creative personality development, and strategic planning. It includes in-service teacher training and a challenge-based learning framework in which students engage in real-world sustainability projects. The program’s effectiveness was evaluated through teacher and student feedback focusing on the development of prototypes addressing sustainability challenges. The implementation of the InFOCUS program in 19 secondary schools demonstrated significant effectiveness. Teachers indicated that the program’s tools were effective in promoting students’ creativity and problem-solving skills. Of the 64 student teams, 62 successfully developed innovative prototypes, reflecting an improved capacity for innovative thinking and underlining the practical impact of the program. The Innovative FOCUS program effectively integrates sustainability education with creative and critical thinking skills. It demonstrates the potential of challenge-based learning in transforming students’ approaches to real-world problems, aligning education with 21st-century sustainability goals. The program’s success highlights the importance of such innovative approaches in contemporary education systems.

ADVANCING NATURAL FARMING: A SYSTEMATICAL LITERATURE REVIEW OF NATURAL FARMING PRACTICES IN INDIA

The agricultural sector captures a key position and is the backbone of the Indian economy. This systematic literature review (SLR) investigates the efficacy of natural farming practices, which is known as Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), in addressing sustainability challenges in Indian agriculture. Analyzing 21 finalized papers spanning 2015 to 2024, the review explores ZBNFs impact on farmer incomes, crop yields, and soil health. Findings suggest that ZBNF reduces production costs, enhances soil fertility, and mitigates adverse environmental effects. However, challenges such as limited resources, pest management, and technological constraints hinder widespread adoption. Graphical analyses illustrate increasing research output and Indias prominence in the field. Overall, the review emphasizes the potential of natural farming to promote socio-ecological resilience and calls for further research to address implementation challenges foster policy support for sustainable agriculture, and encourage farmers to consider it lifestyle. KEYWORDS: natural farming, sustainability, India, Challenges

Exploring Sustainability in Wineries: Evaluating Food Safety and Environmental Management Aligning with the Farm to Fork Strategy

The Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy, a key initiative of the European Commission under the European Green Deal, strives to make the European Union’s (EU) economy sustainable. Focused on the food system, the F2F Strategy prioritizes sustainability in agriculture, eco-friendly practices, biodiversity preservation, and climate change mitigation. It targets high food safety (FS) and environmental management (EM) standards across the Agri-food Supply Chain (ASC). Addressing sustainability challenges in the wine industry, this study delves into the Wine Value Chain (WVC). Emphasizing the intricate sustainability interplay within the WVC, this study concentrates on FS and EM to ensure the long-term viability of wine production. The primary goal is to create a comprehensive sustainability evaluation method for wineries, incorporating performance indicators from FS and EM components. The methodology involves assessing Food Safety Management Systems (FSMSs), evaluating Environmental Management Systems (EMSs), investigating contamination risks, and synthesizing results into a sustainability matrix. Findings highlight commendable FS practices, such as widespread Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) adoption and underscore the need for increased EM focus. Notable figures include a 76.2% adoption of the HACCP system and 68.8% of wineries implementing an EMS. Performance indicators become critical for sustainability assessment, forming the cornerstone to gauge the industry’s effective sustainability management aligned with the F2F Strategy. This study stresses the holistic integration of FS and EM practices, providing insights into workforce engagement, regulatory compliance, and sustainable objectives. This research offers a tool for evaluating and advancing sustainability in the wine industry culminating in a sustainability matrix.

Role of Industry 5.0 for driving sustainability in the manufacturing sector: an emerging research agenda

PurposeWith ever-increasing global concerns over environmental degradation and resource scarcity, the need for sustainable manufacturing (SM) practices has become paramount. Industry 5.0 (I5.0), the latest paradigm in the industrial revolution, emphasizes the integration of advanced technologies with human capabilities to achieve sustainable and socially responsible production systems. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of I5.0 in enabling SM. Furthermore, the review discusses the integration of sustainable practices into the core of I5.0.Design/methodology/approachThe systematic literature review (SLR) method is adopted to: explore the understanding of I5.0 and SM; understand the role of I5.0 in addressing sustainability challenges, including resource optimization, waste reduction, energy efficiency and ethical considerations and propose a framework for effective implementation of the I5.0 concept in manufacturing enterprises.FindingsThe concept of I5.0 represents a progressive step forward from previous industrial revolutions, emphasizing the integration of advanced technologies with a focus on sustainability. I5.0 offers opportunities to optimize resource usage and minimize environmental impact. Through the integration of automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics (BDA), manufacturers can enhance process efficiency, reduce waste and implement proactive sustainability measures. By embracing I5.0 and incorporating SM practices, industries can move towards a more resource-efficient, environmentally friendly and socially responsible manufacturing paradigm.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings presented in this article have several implications including the changing role of the workforce, skills requirements and the need for ethical considerations for SM, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaborations, policy support and stakeholder engagement to realize its full potential.Originality/valueThis article aims to stand on an unbiased assessment to ascertain the landscape occupied by the role of I5.0 in driving sustainability in the manufacturing sector. In addition, the proposed framework will serve as a basis for the effective implementation of I5.0 for SM.

Non-formal education as a response to social problems in developing countries

Non-formal education seeks to address the limitations of formal education that do not reach all communities and do not provide all new competencies and capabilities that are essential for the integrated development of communities. The role of non-formal education becomes even more relevant in the context of developing countries where significant asymmetries in access to education emerge. This study adopts the Solutions Story Tracker provided by the Solutions Journalism Network to identify and explore solutions based on journalism stories in the non-formal education field. A total of 256 stories are identified and categorized into 14 dimensions. The findings reveal that practical, participatory, and volunteering dimensions are the three most common dimensions in these non-formal education initiatives. Furthermore, two emerging dimensions related to empowerment and sustainability are identified, allowing us to extend the theoretical knowledge in the non-formal education field. These conclusions are relevant for establishing public policies that can involve greater participation by local communities in non-formal education and for addressing sustainability challenges through bottom-up initiatives.

The Role of Low-Cost Digital Solutions in Supporting Industrial Sustainability

Small and medium enterprise (SME) manufacturers are impeded from participating in sustainability initiatives using new technologies due to the high cost and the lack of clarity on where to start. The integration of low-cost digital solutions has enabled SME manufacturers to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies to support operations. However, using low-cost technologies to address sustainability challenges is underexplored. This article addresses three key research questions: What digital solutions do SMEs need to address industrial sustainability challenges? To what extent can existing low-cost digital solutions be used to address industrial sustainability challenges? How should new digital solutions for developing greater sustainability be prioritised? Three main tasks were conducted. Initially, a new sustainability-focused sub-catalogue was created using an existing catalogue of low-cost solution areas for manufacturing. Secondly, a workshop with 17 participants was used to identify the top ten priority solution areas, with process monitoring, energy monitoring, and quality inspection at the top. Lastly, existing low-cost digital solutions within the top ten priority areas were evaluated to identify how they could contribute to lean manufacturing. Predominantly existing solutions could contribute to waste or use reduction in lean manufacturing. This study provides a foundation for the future development of low-cost solutions for sustainability by indicating manufacturers’ key priority areas and outlining how existing solutions could be adapted to support waste reduction.

Nature as a sentient being: Can rivers be legal persons?

AbstractThe concept of ‘legal personhood and rights of rivers’ has developed as an alternative to anthropocentric legal frameworks that focus only on the instrumental values of rivers. Obtaining legal personhood marks a key milestone in legal recognition that could provide for the protection of rivers for more than the instrumental values that they hold. However, who could be considered legal persons is the subject of widespread debate in Western jurisprudence. Legalists hold that anything and anyone can be a legal person while Realists believe that a legal person is defined by certain attributes held only by certain categories of persons. One of the main arguments against the personhood of rivers raised by Realists is that rivers are not sentient beings and, consequently, they are incapable of holding the status of a legal person. The idea that nature is not a sentient being is mainly a Western construct. This research analyses the theory of legal personhood to determine whether rivers can and should be legal persons. It challenges the Realist claim that rivers cannot be legal persons because they lack sentience, drawing on Indigenous Vedda ontologies in Sri Lanka and Aboriginal worldviews from the continent now called Australia. The authors argue that a pluralistic approach to legal personhood is crucial in recognising and valuing our hyperconnected world, preventing categorisation, homogenisation and colonisation of ontologies and addressing sustainability challenges surrounding rivers. The research contributes to the existing scholarly work by defending the concept of legal personhood for rivers within a more pluralistic legal philosophy and addressing one of its major criticisms.

Assessing the sustainability of the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) on the Eastern Coast of Lampung: a holistic approach to conservation and resource stewardship

In response to the escalating demand for blue swimming crabs (BSC) and the consequential impact on their habitat and population, this study advocates for sustainable management through a holistic approach. Our comprehensive framework integrates ecological conservation, socioeconomic well-being, and governance principles, aiming to establish a policy framework for the sustainable management of BSC in the Eastern Coast of Lampung. The research emphasizes the urgent issue of overexploitation, with an exploitation rate of 0.71, requiring immediate attention to prevent stock depletion and maintain ecosystem health. Findings reveal that male BSC, measured by carapace width, typically reaches the length at first catch (Lc50) at approximately 118.69 mm, while for females, it is about 122.70 mm—indicating that BSC is often caught larger than the 10 cm legal requirement set by the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries of Indonesia. Economic analysis demonstrates the profitability of the blue swimming crab business on Lampung's east coast, with a favorable crab capture per trip (4.63) and total costs ratio (1.18). The study area, featuring an extensive mangrove forest, hosts a crucial crustacean population, contributing significantly to BSC's diet. Beyond ecological significance, mangrove conservation enhances our understanding of environmental sustainability, particularly in carbon stock contributions. Addressing sustainability challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including precise fishing technologies, effective regulation enforcement, and improved monitoring. Collaborative efforts among government authorities, fishing communities, and conservation groups are essential for balancing economic interests with the long-term ecological health of BSC populations in the study area.

Synthetic microbiology in sustainability applications.

Microorganisms are a promising means to address many societal sustainability challenges owing to their ability to thrive in diverse environments and interface with the microscale chemical world via diverse metabolic capacities. Synthetic biology can engineer microorganisms by rewiring their regulatory networks or introducing new functionalities, enhancing their utility for target applications. In this Review, we provide a broad, high-level overview of various research efforts addressing sustainability challenges through synthetic biology, emphasizing foundational microbiological research questions that can accelerate the development of these efforts. We introduce an organizational framework that categorizes these efforts along three domains - factory, farm and field - that are defined by the extent to which the engineered microorganisms interface with the natural external environment. Different application areas within the same domain share many fundamental challenges, highlighting productive opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations between researchers working in historically disparate fields.

Microalgae as an Alternative Mineral Source in Poultry Nutrition.

This review explores the potential of microalgae as a sustainable and nutritionally rich alternative for mineral supplementation in poultry diets, addressing both the opportunities and challenges in this emerging field. Poultry nutrition, pivotal to the health and productivity of birds, traditionally relies on inorganic and organic mineral sources which, while effective, raise environmental and economic concerns. Microalgae offer a promising solution with their high contents of essential minerals, proteins, vitamins, and bioactive compounds. This review delves into the nutritional profiles of various microalgae, highlighting their rich contents of minerals which are crucial for physiological processes in poultry. It examines the bioavailability of these minerals and their impact on poultry health and productivity. Furthermore, it evaluates the environmental sustainability of microalgae cultivation and acknowledges the challenges in using microalgae in poultry diets, particularly in terms of the economic viability of large-scale production and the consistency of nutrient composition. It discusses the importance of rigorous safety assessments and regulatory compliance, given the potential risks of toxins and heavy metals. Overall, this analysis aims to provide a clear understanding of the role microalgae could play in poultry nutrition and address sustainability challenges in animal agriculture while also considering future perspectives and advancements needed in this field.

Survival models to estimate time to visible mold growth on new paper-based food-contact materials under varying environmental conditions

Effective packaging solutions are pivotal in addressing sustainability challenges associated with food consumption. Sustainable packaging must not only reduce ecological impact but also ensure food quality preservation, minimize the risk of foodborne diseases, and contribute to mitigating the accumulation of plastic waste. While paper-based food packaging is environmentally friendly, it is susceptible to mold growth when exposed to specific humidity and temperatures, potentially leading to spoilage and safety concerns. This study introduces an innovative modeling approach employing survival analysis to estimate time to visible mold growth on paper-based materials used in food-contact packaging under varying environmental conditions. The objective is to establish an alternative statistical framework for assessing the impact of relative humidity and temperature on mold proliferation. This approach is particularly relevant to novel sustainable packaging materials in the food industry, especially when dealing with censored data. Survival heatmaps are developed to simplify the visualization of spoilage likelihood, measured by time to visible growth at a given confidence level. Although the survival model is proposed for paper-based materials, there are no theoretical limitations to its extension for use with other materials within and beyond the food industry.

Artificial Intelligence Integration with Nanotechnology: A New Frontier for Sustainable and Precision Agriculture

Abstract: Addressing the challenges posed by climate change, surging population, rival demands on land for renewable fuel manufacturing, and adverse soil conditions is crucial for ensuring global food security. Achieving sustainable solutions necessitates the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge, such as materials technology and informatics. The convergence of precision agriculture with nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising prospects for sustainable food production. Through real-time responsiveness to crop growth using advanced technologies, such as nanotechnology and AI, farmers can optimize resource allocation and make informed decisions. Newer opportunities for sustainable food production arise through the integration of precision agriculture, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. This convergence enables farmers to dynamically respond to crop growth variations using advanced techniques. By combining nanotechnology and informatics methods with existing models for nutrient cycling and crop productivity, it becomes possible to enhance critical aspects, such as precision targeting, efficient absorption, effective distribution, optimized nutrient assimilation, and long-term effects on soil microbial communities. This integration offers significant potential for improving agriculture and addressing sustainability challenges in food production. Ultimately, this synergy allows for the development of nanoscale agrochemicals that offer a balance between safety and functionality, ensuring optimal performance in agricultural systems.

An interactive possibilistic programming approach for sustainable supplier selection and inventory management problem in the physical internet

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce a novel structure for the physical internet (PI)–enabled sustainable supplier selection and inventory management problem under uncertain environments.Design/methodology/approachTo address hybrid uncertainty both in the objective function and constraints, a novel interactive hybrid multi-objective optimization solution approach combining Me-based fuzzy possibilistic programming and interval programming approaches is tailored.FindingsVarious numerical experiments are introduced to validate the feasibility of the established model and the proposed solution method.Originality/valueDue to its interconnectedness, the PI has the opportunity to support firms in addressing sustainability challenges and reducing initial impact. The sustainable supplier selection and inventory management have become critical operational challenges in PI-enabled supply chain problems. This is the first attempt on this issue, which uses the presented novel interactive possibilistic programming method.