Environmental Sustainability Practices Research Articles

Impact of Corporate Culture on Environmental Performance

AbstractWe examine the impact of corporate culture on environmental performance using a sample of 7199 firm-year observations over the period of 2002–2018. We find that stronger corporate culture improves environmental performance, measured by the amount of toxic chemical release (TCR). Our result is both statistically and economically significant. We also show that cultural norms of innovation, quality and teamwork as well as a technology-oriented corporate culture have a greater impact on enhancing environmental performance. Further analyses show that managerial competence and strong institutional ownership moderate the relationship between corporate culture and environmental performance. We introduce the decomposition of expected and unexpected components of TCR and document that firms with a strong corporate culture implement strategies to reduce the unexpected component of TCR in addition to the expected component of TCR. Finally, we document that strong corporate culture and environmental performance improve firms’ financial performance. Our results are robust to several sensitivity tests and procedures to mitigate endogeneity and self-selection problems. From a practical point of view, our findings suggest that a firm’s culture can determine its environmental sustainability and ethical practices.

Entrepreneurial Decisions of the Location Choice for Mergers and Acquisitions in the EU-27

ABSTRACT Locations that offer a positive business climate with strong environmental performance and sustainable practices are more likely to attract companies seeking to integrate carbon dioxide reduction strategies through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The aim of this study is to analyze the extent to which the business climate in European countries influences the M&A market. We considered the conditions of institutional, economic or sustainability regulations to determine if the ease of doing business (EDB) index, the World Governance Indicators, and carbon dioxide emissions can influence the evolution of M&A. After applying the Ordinary Least Squares regression and panel analysis, the conclusion was that sustainability criteria are important factors for investors when choosing the companies to invest in.

A web GIS based integrated water resources assessment tool for Javeh Reservoir

The creation of tools and services for tracking, estimating, and predicting water resource indices that might provide authorities access to information in close to real-time is essentially a must. The considerable development of Web-GIS DSS (Web-Geographic Information System Decision Support System) allows for the analysis of geospatial data and scenarios via the internet without a traditional desktop GIS. The web GIS technology is coupled to techniques which determine water resources Carlson, and OECD (Organization for Economic Corporation and Development) Trophic Status Indices (TSIs), the water resource vulnerability index (WRVI), and social water stress index (SWSI). The water quality indices were determined by helping machine learning (ML) techniques, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and XGBoost. The performances of aforementioned MLs were compared, and the best efficient one, XGBoost, was included in the Web-GIS DSS tool. The developed Web-GIS DSS was examined in Javeh Reservoir, Kurdestan, IranThe developed Web-GIS DSS allows the users to define the relevant features of the Javeh Reservoir system in pre-defined time horizons such as meteorological, hydrological, inflow water quality, reservoir operation strategies, downstream water demands, geographical external water transfers, etc. The results indicate that the Javeh Reservoir experiences eutrophication status according to the Carlson and OECD indices over time horizons. The water quantity assessment reveals the Javeh Reservoir's susceptibility based on WRVI, although no stress is indicated by SWSI. This susceptibility may be attributed to limited precipitation and water inflow during the simulation period, suggesting a need for comprehensive water resources management.The conclusion drawn from this research underscores the essential role of the developed Web-GIS DSS in decision-making processes for water and environment management, substantiating its practicality with accurate and user-friendly water and environmental data analysis. The tool exemplifies the potential of integrating ML and Web-GIS technologies to promote sustainable environmental practices, thereby establishing a model for future research and policy-making initiatives.

Securing Smart Cities: A Cybersecurity Perspective on Integrating IoT, AI, and Machine Learning for Digital Twin Creation

The burgeoning evolution of smart cities, characterized by the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML), heralds a transformative era in urban management and citizen engagement. These technological advancements promise enhanced efficiency in city operations, improved public services, and a sustainable urban environment. However, the complexity and interconnectedness inherent in these systems introduce significant cybersecurity challenges, necessitating innovative approaches to safeguard the digital infrastructure of smart cities. This paper aims to explore the cybersecurity landscape of smart cities from the perspective of integrating IoT, AI, and ML for the creation of digital twins, offering a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and threats within this domain. Smart cities leverage IoT to connect various components of the urban infrastructure, including transportation systems, utilities, and public services, creating an integrated network of devices that communicate and share data. The incorporation of AI and ML into this framework facilitates intelligent decision-making, enabling the automation of services and the optimization of resources. This synergy enhances the quality of life for residents, promotes economic development, and supports sustainable environmental practices. However, the dependence on digital technologies also exposes smart cities to a range of cybersecurity risks, from data breaches and privacy violations to the disruption of critical infrastructure. The integration of IoT, AI, and ML in smart cities, while offering unprecedented opportunities for urban innovation, also amplifies the complexity of the cybersecurity landscape. IoT devices, often designed with minimal security features, become potential entry points for cyber attacks. The vast amount of data generated and processed by these devices, if compromised, could lead to significant privacy and security breaches. AI and ML models, for their part, are susceptible to manipulation and bias, which can undermine the integrity of decision-making processes. The interconnectivity of systems means that a breach in one sector could have cascading effects throughout the city's infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the paper investigates the role of digital twins in mitigating cybersecurity risks in smart cities. Digital twins, digital replicas of physical entities or systems, offer a powerful tool for simulating and analyzing smart city operations, including cybersecurity scenarios. By mirroring the city's infrastructure in a virtual environment, digital twins allow for the identification of vulnerabilities, the simulation of cyber attacks, and the evaluation of potential impacts. This proactive approach to cybersecurity enables city administrators to anticipate threats and implement protective measures before real-world systems are compromised. The research questions guiding this inquiry include: How can the integration of IoT, AI, and ML enhance the resilience of smart cities against cyber threats? What are the specific cybersecurity challenges presented by these technologies, and how can they be addressed? And, most crucially, what role can digital twins play in fortifying the cybersecurity defenses of smart cities? To address these questions, the paper begins with a review of the current state of smart city technology, focusing on the integration of IoT, AI, and ML. It then delves into the cybersecurity challenges unique to this technological landscape, drawing on recent examples of cyber incidents in smart cities. The analysis highlights the vulnerabilities introduced by the widespread use of IoT devices and the complexities of securing AI and ML systems. Following this, the discussion turns to the potential of digital twins as a cybersecurity tool, examining how they can be employed to detect vulnerabilities, simulate attacks, and plan responses. The paper argues that while the integration of IoT, AI, and ML in smart cities presents significant cybersecurity challenges, it also offers opportunities for innovative solutions. Digital twins emerge as a promising approach to enhancing the cybersecurity posture of smart cities, enabling a dynamic and proactive defense mechanism. By facilitating the simulation of cyber threats in a controlled environment, digital twins allow city administrators to identify weaknesses, test the efficacy of protective measures, and develop more resilient urban infrastructures. In conclusion, the integration of IoT, AI, and ML in smart cities represents a double-edged sword, offering both remarkable opportunities for urban innovation and formidable cybersecurity challenges. This paper underscores the critical importance of adopting a cybersecurity perspective in the development and management of smart cities, highlighting the potential of digital twins as a strategic tool in mitigating these risks. As smart cities continue to evolve, embracing these technologies in a secure and responsible manner will be paramount in realizing their full potential while safeguarding the digital and physical well-being of urban populations.

Artificial intelligence of things for synergizing smarter eco-city brain, metabolism, and platform: Pioneering data-driven environmental governance

Emerging smarter eco-cities, inherently intertwined with environmental governance, function as experimental sites for testing novel technological solutions and implementing environmental reforms aimed at addressing complex challenges. However, despite significant progress in understanding the distinct roles of emerging data-driven governance systems—namely City Brain, Smart Urban Metabolism (SUM), and platform urbanism—enabled by Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), a critical gap persists in systematically exploring the untapped potential stemming from their synergistic and collaborative integration in the context of environmental governance. To fill this gap, this study aims to explore the linchpin potential of AIoT in seamlessly integrating these data-driven governance systems to advance environmental governance in smarter eco-cities. Specifically, it introduces a pioneering framework that effectively leverages the synergies among these AIoT-powered governance systems to enhance environmental sustainability practices in smarter eco-cities. In developing the framework, this study employs configurative and aggregative synthesis approaches through an extensive literature review and in-depth case study analysis of publications spanning from 2018 to 2023. The study identifies key factors driving the co-evolution of AI and IoT into AIoT and specifies technical components constituting the architecture of AIoT in smarter eco-cities. A comparative analysis reveals commonalities and differences among City Brain, SUM, and platform urbanism within the frameworks of AIoT and environmental governance. These data-driven systems collectively contribute to environmental governance in smarter eco-cities by leveraging real-time data analytics, predictive modeling, and stakeholder engagement. The proposed framework underscores the importance of data-driven decision-making, optimization of resource management, reduction of environmental impact, collaboration among stakeholders, engagement of citizens, and formulation of evidence-based policies. The findings unveils that the synergistic and collaborative integration of City Brain, SUM, and platform urbanism through AIoT presents promising opportunities and prospects for advancing environmental governance in smarter eco-cities. The framework not only charts a strategic trajectory for stimulating research endeavors but also holds significant potential for practical application and informed policymaking in the realm of environmental urban governance. However, ongoing critical discussions and refinements remain imperative to address the identified challenges, ensuring the framework's robustness, ethical soundness, and applicability across diverse urban contexts.

Potential and Legal Challenges of Metaverse for Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Practice in Nigeria: A Comparative Study with Singapore

The Metaverse offers a novel and immersive platform where Nigerian users can engage with virtual environments mirroring the physical world or even transcending its confines just like Singapore has adopted same in its economy. This digital realm provides a unique opportunity for individuals and organizations to simulate and visualize the environmental consequences of human activities, thereby deepening awareness of ecological issues. Virtual reality simulations and immersive educational experiences empower users to witness the ramifications of environmental degradation, motivating them to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives. However, realizing the Metaverse's potential for promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices is met with various legal challenges. This study employs a hybrid research approach, combining both doctrinal and non-doctrinal methods, to assess the prospects and legal issues surrounding the use of the Metaverse as a catalyst for environmental awareness and sustainability. A total of 304 questionnaires were distributed to Nigerian respondents, with data analyzed using descriptive and analytical methods. The study reveals that the burgeoning Metaverse has the potential to play a pivotal role in advancing environmental awareness and sustainable practices, contributing to the mitigation of climate change. Nonetheless, several challenges, such as data privacy, data security, regulatory issues related to the Metaverse, digital illiteracy, and insufficient funding for incorporating Metaverse technology, may hinder its effective utilization for environmental awareness and sustainability promotion. It is therefore concluded that the Metaverse possess a transformative power to enhance environmental awareness and sustainable practice in Nigeria. Furthermore, it is also recommended that there is need to draws insights from Singapore's experiences in the Metaverse, highlighting potential lessons and inspiration for Nigeria as it embarks on this journey of environmental awareness and sustainability through immersive digital experiences.

Analysis of the Effect of the Use of Environmentally Friendly Building Materials on the Stability of Tall Building Structures in Jakarta

The construction industry's significant environmental impact has prompted a shift towards environmentally friendly building materials to mitigate environmental degradation while maintaining structural stability. This quantitative study investigates the effect of using environmentally friendly building materials on the stability of tall building structures in Jakarta, Indonesia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, survey data collection, and structural analysis techniques were utilized to examine the relationship between building material choices and structural stability. Statistical analyses revealed a strong preference for environmentally friendly materials among participants, with sustainable timber and eco-friendly concrete substitutes receiving high ratings. Moreover, participants expressed confidence in the structural integrity of tall buildings constructed using these materials. Correlation and regression analyses further demonstrated significant positive relationships between preferences for environmentally friendly building materials, perceived structural stability, and environmental sustainability practices. The findings underscore the potential of environmentally friendly building materials to enhance both structural stability and environmental sustainability in tall building construction.

Measuring the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of Filipino Teacher education students toward sustainability during the pandemic

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 crisis has immensely impacted the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. The integration of the SDG in the teacher education curriculum could contribute to the intensification of the SDG which is called for among higher education institutions. Hence, this article assessed 238 randomly selected pre-service teachers’ knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behavior toward sustainability during the pandemic. The study applied correlation design through an online survey complemented with a qualitative approach. ANOVA and multiple regression were applied as inferential statistics. Students who were actively engaged in sustainability efforts during quarantine served as discussants during the Focus Group Discussion. Findings revealed that a significant relationship exists among the variables of knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behavior toward sustainability. However, only awareness and attitudes can predict their behavior toward sustainability. Based on the illustrative examples in the qualitative results, students’ attitudes and beliefs about sustainability include engaging in sustainable teaching-learning practices, project-based learning, environmental practices, introspection, and school-community collaboration. In addition, the sustainability practices of the students during the pandemic included tree planting, conserving resources, recycling, and campaigning for the environment. Utilizing the proposed SUSTAINtegrate toolkit is a useful teaching resource to incorporate the critical principle of sustainability into the curriculum. Educational institutions can promote awareness about sustainability through project-based learning and integrate sustainability into the teaching syllabus, instructional materials, and teaching-learning practices. Environmental and educational sustainability attitudes should be fostered among the students through introspection, school-community collaboration, and a value-laden sustainable society.

Detection and Screening of Organic Contaminants in A Riverine System of Georgia Using Non-Targeted Analysis

Numerous organic chemicals exist within aquatic environments, yet effectively screening and prioritizing them is a huge challenge. This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the ecological dynamics of the North Oconee River within Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, with a specific focus on the distribution of 33 identified compounds, including a prominent pesticide. The research, conducted in the riverine ecosystems proximal to the Firefly trail, employs advanced analytical techniques to elucidate potential contamination sources arising from agricultural and urban runoff. Intriguingly, the study reveals North Oconee River near the Firefly Trail as a notable site for heightened pesticide contamination, warranting a meticulous exploration of its origins. Furthermore, the investigation unveils the intricate microbial degradation processes of malathion within the North Oconee River, elucidating the pivotal role played by microbial activity in river water. The detection of degradant byproducts prompts the considerations of bioavailability and toxicity, associating potential implications for the river’s overall ecological health. Ongoing research endeavors to precisely quantify environmental risks and unravel indigenous microbial degradation pathways, presenting pivotal contributions to the scientific community’s understanding of complex riverine ecosystems. This research serves as a foundational piece in informing sustainable environmental management practices and emphasizes the urgency of comprehensive stewardship in safeguarding aquatic ecosystems.

From Mindset to Practice: How Employees’ Attitudes Impact Tourism Businesses’ Sustainability Practices

ABSTRACT Recognizing that attitudes can drive positive behavioral intentions, the study examines the effects of tourism business employees’ attitudes toward sustainable tourism on their involvement in economic, socio-cultural, environmental, political, and technological sustainability practices. The results of the 389 questionnaires completed by the employees revealed that employees’ attitudes toward sustainable tourism significantly affect the involvement of tourism businesses in sustainable practices. Importantly, these insights suggest that tourism businesses should prioritize cultivating a pro-sustainable mind-set among employees, enhancing training that links sustainability and business viability, and continuously aligning their sustainability strategies with changing societal standards. This study contributes to the literature on tourism businesses and sustainable tourism development, offering actionable insights for new policy interventions.

Sociocultural learning theories for social-ecological change

A long history of theory exists to underpin our understanding of how to engage individuals and communities in more effective environmental conservation and sustainability practices. Yet rarely do we delve deeply into sociocultural theories of learning, which help demonstrate how learning and action are fundamentally intertwined in our interactions, our societies, and the world around us. To our detriment we ignore this compelling, well-grounded, and robust body of empirical and theoretical evidence. As climate change, biodiversity loss, and other pressing social-ecological issues intensify, the key to stemming and solving the greatest challenges of our time requires engaging individuals and communities. In this theoretical paper, we attend to the history and underpinnings of sociocultural theories of learning and their implications for environmental literacy, in particular, collective environmental literacy. We also discuss how such underpinnings are important to understand when pursuing carefully designed, actionable, and effective sustainability solutions.

Calibration and validation of the HydroColor and Citclops smartphone applications for water quality monitoring

Water quality monitoring, essential for safeguarding ecosystems and human health, has gained increasing significance as societies worldwide prioritize environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Therefore, this study evaluates the performance of two smartphone applications (APPs), HydroColor and Citclops (now EyeOnWater), in estimating water quality parameters such as turbidity, the concentration of suspended particulate matter ([SPM]), and colour. By comparing laboratory and hyperspectral sensors measurements with water quality parameters estimated from smartphone images, the study assessed the accuracy and efficiency of the transfer functions employed by these APPs. The study findings revealed varying degrees of accuracy, with HydroColor R2 values of 0.36 and 0.83 for turbidity and [SPM], respectively, while Citclops achieved an R2 value of 0.7 for colour estimation. The study identified limitations in both APPs, particularly in their applicability to different water systems. These insights underscore the importance of proper calibration and validation procedures for smartphone-based water quality monitoring APPs. Also, the findings underscore the growing significance of smartphone APPs in enabling accessible and real-time monitoring of water quality, highlighting their potential to revolutionize the democratization of environmental monitoring practices through citizen science. Ultimately, this research contributes to the advancement of smartphone-based monitoring initiatives to inform decision-making processes in environmental management, and enhancing our understanding of water quality dynamics in diverse environments.

WSN-Driven Advances in Soil Moisture Estimation: A Machine Learning Approach

Soil moisture estimation is crucial for agricultural productivity and environmental management. This study explores the integration of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) with machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques to optimize soil moisture estimation. By combining data from WSN nodes with satellite and climate data, this research aims to enhance the accuracy and resolution of soil moisture estimation, enabling more effective agricultural planning, irrigation management, and environmental monitoring. Five ML models, including linear regression, support vector machines, decision trees, random forests, and long short-term memory networks (LSTM), are evaluated and compared using real-world data from multiple geographical regions, which includes a dataset from NASA’s SMAP project, supplemented by climate data, which employs both active and passive sensors for data collection. The outcomes demonstrate that the LSTM model consistently outperforms other ML algorithms across various evaluation metrics, highlighting the effectiveness of WSN-driven approaches to soil moisture estimation. The study contributes to the advancement of soil moisture monitoring technologies, offering insights into the potential of WSNs combined with ML and DL for sustainable agriculture and environmental management practices.

Innovation, institutions, and sustainability: Evaluating drivers of household green technology adoption and environmental sustainability of Africa

Energy access, affordability, and quality of institutions play an important role in adopting green technologies at the household level and facilitating the transition towards a sustainable future. This study examines environmental sustainability dynamics in 26 nations from 2001 to 2021 to emphasize Africa’s ecological calamity. The study evaluates the individual and interactive effects of green technology adoption-innovation, institutional quality, and energy access on household clean fuels technologies (CFT) adoption and GHG emissions. The hypotheses are robustly tested using Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), Panel Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), and Bootstrap Granger Causality is used for country-specific outcomes. The research revealed positive associations between CFT energy usage, climate change, and R&D expenditure but negative correlations with population and affordability. Innovation lowers GHG and CO2 emissions, and forests mitigate environmental damage. However, green innovation and institution quality (INIQ) negatively affect CFT. Meanwhile, the CTIQ reveals that adopting clean fuel technology and institutional quality has moderate environmental impacts. The study observed robust uni/bidirectional causality evidence in country-specific cases. The outcomes emphasize strategic investments in clean energy absorption, innovation, and institutional quality to promote sustainable environmental practices in African countries via customized green policies.

Comprehensive Elemental Profiling of Romanian Honey: Exploring Regional Variance, Honey Types, and Analyzed Metals for Sustainable Apicultural and Environmental Practices.

We investigated the mineral concentrations of 61 honey samples from eight Romanian regions, employing advanced techniques to assess 30 chemical elements. Potassium emerged as the dominant element, showcasing significant variations across geographical locations. Essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and manganese maintained consistent levels, while zinc, copper, and chromium were present in smaller proportions. Critically, lead and cadmium levels exceeded established safety limits in some samples, suggesting potential environmental contamination. Additionally, elevated levels of lithium, strontium, nickel, and aluminum were detected, hinting at possible atmospheric pollution. These findings highlight the importance of regional analysis, as mineral content varied significantly between locations. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed interdependencies among elements, suggesting shared environmental influences. Advanced statistical techniques like hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis effectively captured the impact of geographical origin on honey composition. These insights contribute valuable information for future efforts in honey quality control, traceability systems, and regulatory measures. By providing valuable insights into environmental influences on honey composition, this study informs future research endeavors and paves the way for the development of robust regulatory measures to ensure honey safety for consumers.

Sustainable development through biomimicry: Enhancing circular economy practices for environmental sustainability

Sustainable development through biomimicry: Enhancing circular economy practices for environmental sustainability

Prophetic Approach in Environmental Education and Community Empowerment: A Case Study of Sustainable Pesantren Development

Purpose: This study explores the application of the prophetic approach in community empowerment for the development of sustainable Pesantren. It aims to investigate how environmental education, integrated with Islamic teachings, can enhance human awareness and commitment to environmental preservation within the context of Pesantren.   Method: The study is based on a case study of Pondok Pesantren Islam Modern (PPMI) Assalaam, utilizing qualitative research methods. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, and direct observation. The analysis focuses on understanding the implementation of environmental education programs and the prophetic approach to community empowerment at PPMI Assalaam.   Result and Conclusion: The concept of Green Pesantren at PPMI Assalaam involves integrating environmental education with Islamic teachings and social values, leading to a balanced education approach. Two main programs, the Adiwiyata Program and the Ekopesantren Program, are implemented to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices within the Pesantren community. The study finds that environmental awareness among the community members influences their beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, contributing to environmental preservation efforts. Additionally, community empowerment at PPMI Assalaam is based on environmental consciousness, community empowerment principles, and the prophetic approach, emphasizing not only physical and social development but also spiritual growth and deeper connections with God. This holistic approach enriches empowerment theory with transcendent elements, providing a profounder understanding of human development and societal change.   Implication of the Research: The findings of this study have implications for environmental education and community empowerment initiatives within Pesantren and similar religious educational institutions. By integrating the prophetic approach, Pesantren can enhance their efforts in promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices among students and the broader community. Moreover, the study suggests that a holistic approach to community empowerment, encompassing spiritual and transcendent dimensions, can lead to more meaningful and sustainable societal change.   Originality/Value: This study contributes to the understanding of how the prophetic approach can be applied to environmental education and community empowerment within the context of Pesantren. By integrating Islamic teachings with environmental principles, Pesantren can play a significant role in fostering environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of considering spiritual dimensions in empowerment theory, offering new insights into holistic approaches to community development.

Green English Language Teaching and EFL Textbooks: Fostering Environmental Consciousness in Language Education

Eco-consciousness logically demands that greater focus needs to be placed on fostering such awareness through education. Language education provides great opportunities to integrate and develop environmental consciousness. This research paper investigates the possibility and the necessity for integration of environmental consciousness into English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching practices and textbooks, aiming to contribute to the growing field of Green English Language Teaching (GELT). For the purpose of this study, 16 EFL textbooks were analyzed to identify the extent of environmental content and propose strategies for enhancing eco-awareness within language classrooms and then, a mixed method survey was conducted among EFL teachers to understand their perception and aptitude towards the principles of GELT and their implementation in language classrooms. This paper explores the potential impact of incorporating environmental themes and sustainable practices into language education, examining the benefits, challenges, and implications for educators, learners, and textbook developers.

Sustainable tourism development through community homestays: a case study of Ayodhyapuri Community Homestay in Madi, Chitwan, Nepal

ABSTRACT In rural areas of Nepal, homestays are becoming an important source of income for many families. Homestay offers many benefits, such as experiencing the local culture, learning about different cultural practices in a homely environment, improving language skills, and many more. This study is an attempt to explore the status and homestay owners’ perceptions of Ayodhyapuri Community Homestay, Madi, Nepal. In this study, a concurrent mixed-methods approach was applied using a questionnaire and informal interviews to understand the homestay situation. The research explores how a specific community in Nepal has developed a sustainable tourism industry through the use of homestays, with a focus on how the community has balanced economic growth with environmental and cultural sustainability. Along with this, it also examines the impact of ecotourism on the local community, including the economic benefits, social and cultural impacts, and environmental sustainability practices. The finding suggests that homestays play a vital role in conserving nature, reducing human-wildlife conflict, preserving culture, and generating employment opportunities.

Assessing the Impact of Regulatory Frameworks on the Success of Green Building Projects in Singapore

This paper examines the influence of regulatory frameworks on the success of green building projects in Singapore. By analyzing the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Scheme and other related regulations, the study highlights how these frameworks have shaped the environmental sustainability practices within the construction industry. Through a mix of qualitative interviews with industry professionals and quantitative analysis of building performance data, the research demonstrates that regulatory frameworks not only enhance environmental outcomes but also drive innovation in building technologies and practices. The findings suggest that while these regulations have led to significant improvements in energy efficiency and resource management, challenges such as high compliance costs and the need for continuous professional development remain. The paper concludes with recommendations for evolving these frameworks to better support sustainable development in Singapore’s urban landscape.