Challenges Of Sustainable Development Research Articles

Integrating Playful Learning to Enhance Education for Sustainability: Case Study of a Business School in Slovenia

Business schools play a pivotal role in training future leaders equipped to tackle complex challenges in sustainable development. This study investigates the effects of integrating playful learning methodologies into sustainable entrepreneurship education, aligning with the goals of education for sustainable development and Sustainable Development Goals. The research involved a quantitative approach, utilizing pre- and post-intervention surveys targeting 50 business school students to assess changes in their knowledge of sustainable entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial skills, and engagement levels. Results from descriptive statistics and paired t-tests revealed significant enhancements; knowledge scores increased from an average of 3.01 to 3.70 (t(49) = −23.04, p < 0.001), skills scores from 3.19 to 3.90 (t(49) = −20.88, p < 0.001), and engagement scores from 3.40 to 4.00 (t(49) = −16.28, p < 0.001), indicating statistically significant improvements across all measured domains. These findings suggest that playful learning methodologies can profoundly enrich the educational experience, making it more dynamic and impactful. The study underscores the potential of such pedagogical strategies in fostering a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and cultivating essential competencies among future business leaders. This research has significant implications for curriculum design, advocating for the inclusion of interactive and experiential learning methods to improve educational outcomes and better prepare students for the complex challenges of sustainable development.

The Innovative Smart Green Campus as Life-Based Learning Characteristics of Future Learning Efforts to Complete the SDG's

Objective: This study examines the application of the Smart Green Campus idea in higher education, focusing on its contribution to sustainability and experiential learning. Theoretical Framework: The study is founded on theories of sustainability, intelligent campus design, and experiential learning. These frameworks thoroughly comprehend integrating green technologies and experiential learning within educational settings. Method: This research employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing case studies of colleges executing Smart Green Campus programs to collect data. Data were collected via literature analysis, campus observations, and interviews with principal stakeholders. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that Smart Green Campus programs enhance students' environmental awareness and skill acquisition. Green technologies, including energy-efficient structures and sustainable transportation, promote an interactive learning atmosphere. Nonetheless, problems like financial expenditures and opposition to change are acknowledged. Research Implications: This study presents practical and theoretical implications by illustrating how Smart Green Campus initiatives can serve as examples of education aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6). The study emphasizes how universities can implement sustainable methods to improve environmental and educational outcomes. Originality/Value: This study enhances the literature by offering novel insights into the Smart Green Campus idea and its practical implementation. Its significance resides in providing a novel educational framework that equips students to address sustainable development challenges and must ensure the availability of clean water and sanitation as stated in SDG 6.

Challenges of Sustainable Development of Education In Georgia

Challenges of Sustainable Development of Education In Georgia

Projecting dry-wet abrupt alternation across China from the perspective of soil moisture

Under a warmer climate, the enhancement of dry-wet abrupt alternation (DWAA) risk poses a great challenge for sustainable development. Here, we introduce a novel framework for DWAA detection based on our proposed soil moisture concentration index. By the end of this century, over humid southern China, the shift of soil moisture time series from anomalously wet to anomalously dry pattern, or the other way around, will be more abrupt. In addition, the proposed framework driven by Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 simulations projects more widespread DWAA-affected areas over southwestern China, coastal regions of southeastern China, and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, especially under a high emission scenario. The framework proposed in this study provides an efficient system for DWAA detection and prediction, and the findings of this study provide a reference for upgrading hydraulic infrastructure and mitigating future DWAA events.

Public Service Equalization, Digital Financial inclusion and the Rural Revitalization: Evidence from Chinese 283 prefecture-level cities

While China has made significant strides in poverty alleviation, the persistent urban-rural divide poses challenges for sustainable development. Previous studies have explored various factors influencing rural revitalization, yet the interplay between public service equalization, digital financial inclusion, and rural development remains understudied. This research investigates how public service equalization impacts rural revitalization in China and examines the moderating role of digital financial inclusion. Using panel data from 283 prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2021, we employ a fixed-effects model and conduct robustness checks including endogeneity tests and alternative specifications. Our findings reveal that public service equalization positively influences rural revitalization, with both accessibility and beneficiality dimensions playing crucial roles. Importantly, digital financial inclusion enhances this positive impact, suggesting a synergistic effect. These results underscore the need for a holistic approach integrating public service provision and digital financial services to promote inclusive growth in rural China. By elucidating the mechanisms through which these factors interact, our study contributes to the broader literature on rural development and offers policymakers valuable insights for designing effective rural revitalization strategies.

Experimentation of a better methanogenic potential by co-digestion of urban waste: Contribution to the challenges of sustainable development in the Sahel zone

Experimentation of a better methanogenic potential by co-digestion of urban waste: Contribution to the challenges of sustainable development in the Sahel zone

Sustainable Tourism Development in Vietnam in the Current Period

Sustainable tourism development is currently an inevitable and effective direction for the tourism industry of Vietnam in particular and countries around the world in general. Vietnam has great potential for sustainable tourism development, from geographical location to natural and cultural resources. However, we also encounter many difficulties when developing sustainable tourism. This study points out the theoretical basis for sustainable tourism development; analyzes the current status of tourism development in Vietnam from 2015 to 2023; evaluates sustainable tourism development in Vietnam based on three aspects: Economy-Society-Environment; and examines the opportunities and challenges for sustainable tourism development in Vietnam. From that, several solutions will be proposed to develop sustainable tourism in Vietnam, making the tourism sector a key industry contributing to the ongoing development of Vietnam’s economy and society.

Critical factors for the success of Sustainable Development Goal 12 in the digital transformation era: The effect of ISO 14001

AbstractCompeting in the global market requires organizations to change rapidly, addressing both digital transformation and sustainable development challenges. This study uncovers new relationships and critical factors, enriching current knowledge and guiding future research on how digital transformation enhances sustainable consumption and production (Sustainable Development Goal 12 [SDG12]) success. It identifies key factors that enhance or inhibit these relationships by combining structural model and necessary conditions analysis. The findings reveal that organizations must excel in digital capabilities directly and through excellence practices to achieve SDG12 success. ISO 14001 further strengthens the impact of digital transformation and excellence practices on SDG12. The results empirically demonstrate what European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and American Society for Quality (ASQ) advocate: excellence practices are a tool for sustainable development. This study adds both to the literature and practice on the relationships between digital transformation, excellence models, and sustainable development and how these relationships are influenced by ISO standards.

Marine Pseudomonas: diving into the waves of blue biotechnology.

From marine to terrestrial environments, Pseudomonas spp. exhibit a remarkable ability not only to adapt but also thrive even amidst adverse conditions. This fact turns Pseudomonas spp. into one of the most prominent candidates for novel biotechnological solutions. Even though terrestrial isolates have been extensively studied, there is still an almost untapped source to be explored in marine Pseudomonas. Harnessing such strains offers an opportunity to discover novel bioactive compounds that could address current global challenges in healthcare and sustainable development. Therefore, this minireview aimed to provide an overview of the main recent discoveries regarding antimicrobials, antifouling, enzymes, pigments, and bioremediation strategies derived from marine isolates of Pseudomonas spp. Future research perspectives will also be discussed to foster forthcoming endeavors to explore the marine counterparts of such a prolific bacterial genus.

Assessment and Multiscenario Simulation of Land Use and Ecosystem Services Interactions in Inner Mongolia

ABSTRACTBalancing land development and ecological protection poses significant challenges for sustainable development in arid and semi‐arid regions like Inner Mongolia. This study uses the integrated valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) trade‐offs model and patch‐generated land‐use simulation model to analyze the impacts of land‐use/cover (LULC) changes on ESs from 2005 to 2020 and simulate scenarios for 2035. The results show that (1) ecological governance efforts improved the comprehensive ecological index (CEI), habitat quality, and soil conservation capacity but led to a decrease in the annual water yield (AWY) in the eastern region. Additionally, the conversion of grassland and forest land to construction land and farmland caused slight declines in carbon sequestration and increased nitrogen export. (2) The external driving factors of different ESs vary, and the internal relationships within ESs have also changed. Notably, changes in LULC transformed the synergy between AWY and habitat quality into a trade‐off relationship after 2010 due to increased forest and grassland. (3) Among the five land‐use scenarios, the comprehensive development scenario combined with zonal management strategies can achieve the sustainable development goals of economic growth, ecological protection, and food security. This study clarifies the internal and external factors affecting ESs in Inner Mongolia and provides a scientific basis for future LULC management and ecological governance policies. It fills a gap in the spatiotemporal simulation of ESs under multiple scenarios in this region. These findings offer valuable references for promoting sustainable development in similar arid and semi‐arid regions, highlighting the importance of integrating multi‐objective strategies and adaptive management practices to balance ecological and economic objectives.

Structures of Forest Stands in Monospecific Reforestations Based on Tectona grandis Lf. (Verbenaceae) in the Sangoué Classified Forest in Côte d’Ivoire

Teak-based reforestation poses the challenge of sustainable development in terms of meeting economic, social and environmental needs. In order to meet the needs of populations for timber and contain anthropogenic pressures on flora, reforestation based on Tectona grandis is initiated in the Sangoué Classified Forest. Therefore, a diagnostic study is therefore essential to assess the effects of this practice on the environment. This study assessed the consequences of planting Tectona grandis on the conservation and restoration of the Sangoué classified forest. For this, the structural and floristic characteristics of teak stands at different stages of evolution were compared. The results showed that young plots have more plant species, are more diverse and more evenly distributed. Older plots have the highest densities and basal areas of stems, with an inverted J-shaped distribution. Young plots have the lowest densities and basal areas, as well as a more regular horizontal structure. The woody species introduced into reforestation are Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea and Cedrela odorata. In the 33-year-old block, the total basal area value is 18.07 m² per hectare, then 13.72 m² per hectare in the 30-year-old block. As for the 25- and 28-year-old blocks, the basal area values per hectare are 12.61 m2 and 9.39 m2 respectively. Young plots promote natural regeneration and floristic diversity, while older plots present low floristic diversity with reduced structural balance. Introduced species have benefited more from teak planting than native ones. Teak planting may lead to profit, but it presents challenges for biodiversity. The impact of teak planting on the Sangoué classified forest differs depending on the stage of evolution of the stands. Therefore, it has advantages and disadvantages for forest restoration and conservation. The teak plantation needs to be adjusted to forest management.

Circularity, Sustainability, and the Quality of Coffee Sold via Vending Machines: What Do Italian Consumers Prefer?

ABSTRACTVending is an important sector in the daily lives of many people, and coffee is the most frequently consumed product in the European market. Like many other sectors, vending is responding to the challenge of sustainable development by taking various actions, such as offering increasingly ecologically sound coffee while maintaining/improving its quality. These are factors that consumers care greatly about. Although the scientific literature on coffee is vast, few studies have focused on the vending sector. The aim of the present study was to fill this gap by performing a choice experiment in Italy to understand which attributes (sustainable or nonsustainable) Italian consumers prioritized when purchasing coffee via vending machines. The results showed that the physical quality of coffee was paramount, while sustainability (although important) played a secondary role. The circularity of cups was the least considered aspect. The data obtained for this study contribute to academic knowledge of consumer behavior regarding the purchase of sustainable coffee at vending machines and can be used as a starting point for the development of strategies in line with sustainability principles [EconLit Citations: C9, Q01].

Millets, Shifting Cultivation and the Adivasis: Looking Through Culture, Policy and Politics

The year 2023 is celebrated as the International Year of Millets, declared by the United Nation’s General Assembly in March 2021 on the proposal submitted by the Government of India. Millet cultivation and consumption are being championed as the panacea for climate change and a solution for global hunger and nutrition. India’s lead in this connection is to make herself the global hub for millets. The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN recognise and promote millets as a pathway for sustainable development, enhancement of biodiversity and transformer of agrifood systems, besides empowering smallholder farmers and providing new sustainable market opportunities for the producers and consumers. However, the indigenous people of the globe or the Adivasis in India, who have predominantly cultivated and consumed millets primarily through the technology of shifting cultivation, find little mention or no mention in the context. The contemporary environment is ripe to revisit the intricacies of the closely knitted culture of the Adivasi and their shifting cultivation. The overarching challenges of climate change and sustainable development seem to compel the bringing back of the discarded ‘baby with the bath water’. The article will focus on the Konda Reddis (Andhra Pradesh state) and podu, their traditional way of cultivation (shifting cultivation). Podu is not an isolated cultivation technology, it is, for the Konda Reddis, the prism of their culture. Will the politics of policy resurrect the Adivasi and shifting cultivation?

Cellulose-Templated Nanomaterials for Nanogenerators and Self-Powered Sensors.

Energy crisis inspires the development of renewable and clean energy sources, along with related applications such as nanogenerators and self-powered devices. Balancing high performance and environmental sustainability in advanced material innovation is a challenging task. Addressing the global challenges of sustainable development and carbon neutrality lead to increasedinterest in biopolymer research. Nanocellulose materials, derived from biopolymers, demonstrate potential as template candidates for advanced materials, due to their unique properties, including high strength, high surface area, controllable pore structures and high-water retention. In recent years, cellulose-templated nanomaterials enable delicate nano-/microscale structural construction, thus promoting developments in the field of nanogenerators and self-powered sensors. However, there is still a limited number of reviews focused on cellulose-templated nanomaterials for applications in nanogenerators and self-powered sensors. This review aims to fill this research gap by introducing various cellulose-templated nanomaterials and providing a detailed analysis of their fashionable applications in nanogenerators and self-powered sensors. The goal is to present cellulose-templated nanomaterials as highly promising template and guest materials for templating technologies, offering sustainable nano-/microscale control over advanced materials for the foreseeable future. This potential is promising for new applications in the fields of nanogenerators and self-powered sensors.

Challenges of sustainable development of regions and rural tourism in Georgia

The paper discusses the type of rural tourism as an independent direction, especially its importance in the mountainous part of Georgia. This priority direction in regional tourism includes such important aspects as orientation of tourists to the consumption of ecological resources, protection of the natural environment, preservation of traditional lifestyle for the population of peripheral regions. It is confirmed that rural tourism in the modern world is considered by specialists to be the most promising field of employment for the rural population. It should be noted that the development of tourism business in rural areas will contribute to solving socio-economic problems, reducing unemployment and raising the standard of living. The purpose of the study is to reveal the possibilities of rural tourism development in the mountainous areas of Georgia, which will bring the results of sustainable development to the region and the local community.

Evaluating Socio-Economic and Environmental (SEE) Impact of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) of Gemstones on Livelihood in the Ijero-Ekiti Community, Nigeria

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has experienced explosive growth in recent years due to the rising value of mineral prices and the increasing difficulty of earning a living from agriculture and other rural activities, in that regard the Gem Mining Industry (GMI) has come to be one of the major sources of income and employment for the country, especially the local people of Ijero LGA in Ekiti State. Artisanal and Small-Scale mining effects in the state were studied using structured questionnaires. This research draws on primary data collected from households and artisanal miners. The questionnaire was designed to answer the following questions about the socio-economic impacts of small-scale tourmaline mining on local community livelihoods in Ijero-Ekiti, furthermore, the research employs of a descriptive survey design, to understand the effects of mining in the study area. Results indicate that overdependence on mining and poor diversification of livelihood options has hindered the development of rural communities. The equitable distribution of employment opportunities and revenue from small-scale mining remains a challenge for sustainable local development.

Exploring an adaptive management model for “status-optimization-regulation” of mining city in transition: A case study of Huangshi, China

Mining cities face the challenges of ecological transformation and sustainable development after mineral depletion. Thus, ecological space optimization and adaptive management are pivotal after ecological restoration project, but easily neglected. Taking Huangshi in Hubei Province as an example, a top-down adaptive management model for regional mining ecological space integrating status-optimization-regulation (SOR) was established based on land system resilience (LSR) evaluation, circuit theory, complex network model and community discovery algorithm. The results showed that i) As the LSR increased, the land use structure shifted from non-ecological zones to forest and cropland, indicating that balancing agriculture and forest protection was crucial for increasing LSR in Huangshi. i) The ecological networks (ENs) of Huangshi had an irregular fishnet pattern, with densely intricate corridors in the south and broader, sparser ones in the north, and numerous ecological barriers near the mining area. Furthermore, the distribution of ecological sources and corridors displayed complementarity and hierarchy. iii) The optimized ENs exhibited higher connectivity and efficiency under disturbance, reducing corridor redundancy and migration costs. iv) The ENs clusters were classified into five types based on ecological connectivity: ecological buffer zone, priority restoration zone, moderate restoration zone, natural restoration zone, and moderate development zone, and tailored ecological regulatory strategies were proposed. The findings provide practice-oriented guidance for the sustainable development of mining cities, and offer a direct approach to support conscious, clear, and coherent adaptive management of ecological restoration in rapidly changing environments.

Oil Price and Long-run Economic Growth in Oil-importing Developing Countries

The recent spikes in oil prices are a significant setback for the world economy, which has already faced multiple challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly concerning for developing countries as maintaining a sustained growth in real GDP is crucial for lifting their population out of poverty. While the short-run negative macroeconomic effects of a spike in oil prices are well established in the context of the developed world, the long-run growth effect has received little attention, especially in developing countries. Using the World Bank's development indicators database covering the period 1990 to 2020, this study aims to investigate the oil price-growth nexus in low and middle-income net oil-importing countries to shed light on how oil price increases could be a challenge for sustainable development. Specifically, we first set up a theoretical model to establish the relationship between growth in output per capita and oil price. Following the traditional growth regression approaches, we empirically estimate the causal effect of growth in oil prices on the economic growth of 65 net oil-importing developing countries using fixed effect panel IV regression methods. The empirical results confirm statistically significant negative effects of oil prices, indicating that a higher oil price reduces long-run economic growth in oil-importing developing countries. Our results on the other determinants of growth are consistent with the existing empirical growth literature. Oil-importing developing countries, therefore, must allocate resources towards alternative domestic energy sources, in addition to pursuing fuel efficiency and conservation strategies, to mitigate the negative effects of oil price fluctuations on their long-run economic output and uphold sustainable development.

Thriving through innovation: Boosting green tech performance in China's new energy sector

In response to the challenges of sustainable development, green technological innovation (GTI) is considered as a key driver of high-quality growth. However, current research often lacks a comprehensive assessment of GTI's multidimensional performance and rarely explores improvement pathways from a structural perspective. This study evaluates the GTI performance of China's new energy sector using data from 62 listed companies between 2015 and 2021, employing a Back Propagation (BP) neural network model optimized by a genetic algorithm. Additionally, it explores performance enhancement paths through fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The findings indicate that: Industrial structure and human resource levels significantly boost GTI performance in the new energy sector; Optimizing and upgrading industrial structures plays a crucial role in GTI improvement; High Research and development (R&D) investment and human capital strengthen market competitiveness, leading to higher GTI levels; The development of GTI in the new energy sector exhibited a general upward trend, with notable differences across sub-industries and regions from 2015 to 2021. Based on these results, this study recommends differentiated industry support, targeted regional policies, and enhanced talent cultivation to improve GTI performance in China's emerging energy industry.

Sustainable Development Challenges in Shanxi's Coal Industry: A case study of Datong Coal Mine Group

The purpose of this study is to investigate the sustainable development challenges faced by coal resource-based areas, focusing specifically on Shanxi Province in China. The study aims to understand the long-term impacts of extensive coal mining on the ecological environment, safety incidents, and the local economic system. It seeks to draw lessons from case studies of coal enterprises to identify innovative measures for companies in transition and development, with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable practices that address livelihood issues and contribute to the modernization process. The research employs a qualitative case study methodology, using Datong Coal Mine Group in Shanxi Province as a representative example. This approach enables an in-depth analysis of the specific challenges related to coal mining in the region. The findings highlight the significant ecological and safety challenges posed by widespread coal mining practices in Shanxi Province, including environmental degradation, ground subsidence, and recurring safety incidents. The study suggests a need for innovative measures to transition towards more sustainable and diversified economic activities. The research provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and communities in similar resource-dependent regions to adapt to the demands of modernization and sustainability.