Implications For Sustainable Development Research Articles

Efficiency of energy-generating tiles with different types of multipliers

Problem. With the urgent need for sustainable and renewable energy solutions, the integration of energy-harvesting technologies in urban infrastructure has become a focal point of innovation. Energy-generating tiles, transforming pedestrian movement into electricity, offer a viable path forward. Yet, their efficiency hinges on the internal design, particularly the type of multipliers used. Goal. This study aims to assess and compare the efficiency of energy-generating tiles equipped with helical and straight-cut gear multipliers, to identify the optimal design for maximizing energy conversion in urban environments. Methodology. An experimental setup was created to test prototypes of the energy-generating tiles under controlled foot traffic conditions. The study measured and analyzed the electrical output and efficiency of tiles with both types of gear multipliers, simulating real pedestrian traffic scenarios. Results. Energy-generating tiles featuring straight-cut gears outperformed those with helical gears in energy output and conversion efficiency. The research also illuminated the influence of pedestrian dynamics, like step force and frequency, on tile performance. Originality. This research advances renewable energy technology by offering a comprehensive analysis of energy-generating tile efficiency with different gear multipliers. It introduces an innovative method for evaluating tile performance, underscoring the significance of gear design in energy conversion. Practical value. The findings have considerable implications for sustainable urban development, suggesting that implementing energy-generating tiles in areas with high foot traffic could significantly enhance urban renewable energy sources. This study not only guides the design of more efficient energy-harvesting tiles but also encourages their broader adoption, supporting urban sustainability goals and the reduction of carbon emissions.

Corruption in Formal Adult Education in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable National Development

This position paper took a cursory view of corruption, examined adult education, assessed corruption in formal adult education and highlighted the implications for sustainable national development in Nigeria. The paper concluded that concerted efforts must be put in place in order to curb the menace of corruption in adult education. Adult education is the poorest sector in education in terms of allocation of financial resources. Government allocates meagre financial resources annually to adult education organizations, yet corrupt financial practices are perpetrated by the operators of adult education institutions in Nigeria. There is equally the challenge of cheating in examination and examination malpractice. These have stifled the developmental needs of the country to be provided by adult education. It was suggested that the EFCC and ICPC should beam their searchlight on adult education sector of education with a view to recovering stolen funds arresting and prosecuting offenders of embezzlement and misappropriation of education funds; adult learners found guilty of corrupt practices should have their admission revoked; adult educators found guilty of the monetary extortion should be relieved of their jobs; and government should make it as a point of duty to allocate 3% of her education budget to adult education annually.

TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESSES IN RESOURCE-RICH COUNTRIES: FROM NATURAL RESOURCES TO INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY-BASED ECONOMY

This paper aims to assess the development pattern of resource-rich countries like Norway, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of South Africa by analyzing their stock markets. As resource-rich countries have profound implications for the world's sustainable development, it is essential to investigate whether they transform natural resource wealth into sustained growth by reorientation from related to raw material industries to modern ones based on information and technologies. The analysis of resource-rich countries' stock markets allowed us to conclude that partially these countries are on the way to an economy dominated by intangible assets. Nevertheless, despite the declared intentions, some traditional attachments to raw materials are still present. At the same time, most companies in the optimal portfolios of these markets have a long-term nonlinear strategy. The impact of the pandemic COVID-19 turned out to be significant, but short-lived. The research was carried out based on R and Python packages.

Economic and social costs of flood disasters in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable national development

Nigeria is susceptible to flood disasters, resulting in significant economic and social costs due to natural and human factors. This paper examines the implications of flood disasters on Nigeria's sustainable national development by identifying drivers, estimating costs, analyzing social dimensions, and discussing policy options. The methodology this paper adopted relied on a range of secondary sources such as government reports, academic studies, and media sources which were analyzed through qualitative methods of content and thematic analysis. The study revealed that flood disasters caused economic losses, including damage to infrastructure, loss of income, and reduced agricultural production, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Effective disaster risk management requires an integrated approach, including investments in flood risk infrastructure, coordination among government levels, and engaging local communities to build disaster reduction capacity. The paper highlights the need for Nigeria to mainstream disaster risk reduction into national development planning for sustainable development.

Climate-smart agriculture: adoption, impacts, and implications for sustainable development

AbstractThe 19 papers included in this special issue examined the factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices among smallholder farmers and estimated the impacts of CSA adoption on farm production, income, and well-being. Key findings from this special issue include: (1) the variables, including age, gender, education, risk perception and preferences, access to credit, farm size, production conditions, off-farm income, and labour allocation, have a mixed (either positive or negative) influence on the adoption of CSA practices; (2) the variables, including labour endowment, land tenure security, access to extension services, agricultural training, membership in farmers’ organizations, support from non-governmental organizations, climate conditions, and access to information consistently have a positive impact on CSA adoption; (3) diverse forms of capital (physical, social, human, financial, natural, and institutional), social responsibility awareness, and digital advisory services can effectively promote CSA adoption; (4) the establishment of climate-smart villages and civil-society organizations enhances CSA adoption by improving their access to credit; (5) CSA adoption contributes to improved farm resilience to climate change and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions; (6) CSA adoption leads to higher crop yields, increased farm income, and greater economic diversification; (7) integrating CSA technologies into traditional agricultural practices not only boosts economic viability but also contributes to environmental sustainability and health benefits; and (8) there is a critical need for international collaboration in transferring technology for CSA. Overall, the findings of this special issue highlight that through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts, CSA can play a pivotal role in achieving food security, poverty alleviation, and climate resilience in farming communities worldwide and contribute to the achievements of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Commodity market stability and sustainable development: The effect of public health policies

This study explores the influence of public health policies on commodity market volatility during public health emergencies, such as pandemics, using data from China and the US. We investigate how stringent public health measures can mitigate the effects of pandemics on the stability of commodity markets by stabilizing domestic demand and supply of natural resources. Our findings highlight the interconnectedness between commodity market stability and oil production, showing that firms increase their oil inventories in response to oil market volatility as a precautionary measure. This action, in turn, affects the amount of oil available for production, impacting oil consumption and extraction rates. We demonstrate that stability in the oil market significantly influences not only oil consumption but also has broader implications for sustainable development, green asset markets, and carbon emissions.

Hungry and Angry Society: Implications for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Hungry and Angry Society: Implications for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Groundwater potential assessment in parts of Nnewi Industrial Zone: Implications for sustainable development and conservation

Integrated field geological and geophysical (Vertical Electrical Sounding VES and 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography ERT) investigations were carried out in the Nnewi Industrial Zone, SE Nigeria to identify and characterize productive aquifer, aquifer hydraulic properties, and aquifer vulnerability. Data acquired from 17 VES points and across a profile line of about 800 m for the 2D ERT were processed, interpreted, and modeled. Results from the geologic mapping showed that the outcropping units are mainly the sandstone, shaly-sandstone, and less commonly shale of the Nanka and Ogwashi-Asaba Formations which are relatively permeable and offer poor protective cover to the underlying aquifer. Models from the resistivity data showed that the depth-to and thickness of the aquifer vary from 38.60 to 98.80 m and 30.10–177 m, respectively. Aquifer properties estimated from the geophysical data gave values ranging from 0.611127 m2/day to 246.6576 m2/day and 0.1609 m/day to 5.6325 m/day for transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity, respectively, and suggestive of low – moderate aquifer potential. Aquifer Protective Capacity APC distribution modeled from the longitudinal conductivity values, and the aquifer vulnerability modeled using the DRASTIC method indicate that the study area is characterized by poor – moderate APC and low – moderate – high aquifer vulnerability, respectively. Analysis shows that the modeled aquifer parameters, APC, and aquifer vulnerability have similar trend which tends to improve towards the southern and more specifically southeastern parts of the study area, suggesting that even though aquifer units were identified all through the study area, the southeastern parts are best suited for the development of groundwater exploitation schemes. Also, aquifer vulnerability model results recommend that proper and efficient waste disposal schemes are put in place to conserve groundwater quality from pollution from industrial waste since the aquifer in the area is relatively vulnerable.

Investigation of Thermal Similarity and Performances of Solar Thermal Air Collector with Heat-Soaked Vehicle Cabin

This article explores the potential of vehicle interiors, which can reach temperatures of up to 120°C due to solar exposure, as efficient solar collectors. Comparative studies have been conducted on the thermal behavior of heat-soaked vehicle cabins and dedicated solar collectors, highlighting their potential benefits in heating, cooling and ventilation. Thermal soak tests reveal a remarkable similarity in thermal performance between the two, with minor temperature variations of up to 5.3°C between the equivalent components. These temperature deviations are mainly due to differences in absorptivity characteristics, in which the black absorber plate exhibits superior absorption capabilities compared to the grey interior cabin surfaces. Integration of ambient air through the inlets on the cabin floor helps with initial cooling of the hot soaked cabin. The collector benefits from a preheated air mixture (comprising heat-soaked cabin air and ambient air), which improves its operating temperatures. This characteristic is attributed to the synergistic integration of the two systems. By decoupling these systems and aligning the properties of the absorber plate, the cabin and the collector could become thermally identical. The potential of the heated vehicle cabin as a power generation source is underscored, which presents opportunities to supplement the energy demand in remote locations. This study illuminates the untapped potential of vehicular solar heat capture, highlighting its feasibility, diverse applications, and significant implications for sustainable energy strategies and community development.

Spatial Interaction of Local Government Debt: Evidence from China

The amount of local government debt has an important impact on the economic and social sustainability of a country. The rapid increase in local government debt in China over the past decade and the associated risks have profound implications for financial and economic sustainable development. While existing research has investigated governmental strategic interactions of tax and spending, little attention has been given to the spatial interaction of local government debt. This study employs Two-Regime Spatial Lag Models to investigate the spatial interaction of the debt among China’s 332 prefectural-level local governments over the period of 2015 to 2019. The findings show significant interaction effects between neighbouring governments, both in the acquisition and utilisation of debt quotas, and the interaction during the acquisition process is higher than that during the utilisation process. In addition, the interaction between neighbouring governments within the same province is more pronounced than that between governments adjacent but located in different provinces. Furthermore, the interaction of special debt is more manifest than that of general debt. These findings pass various robustness tests. Additionally, the mechanism test shows that fiscal competition is one of the driving forces behind the observed interdependence of local governments’ debt strategies.

Aging in Place in Hong Kong and Its Implications for Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Needs, Beliefs, Behaviors, and Well-Being of Older Adults through Self-Determination Theory and Social Cognitive Theory

With the rapidly aging population, Aging in Place (AIP) assumes an increasingly pivotal role, as it aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Despite the contributions of AIP, there is a dearth of studies investigating the corresponding needs and well-being of older adults from psychological and sociocultural perspectives. This study aimed to investigate older adults’ needs, beliefs, behaviors, well-being, as well as perceived challenges and opportunities pertaining to AIP. Adopting a qualitative design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 older adults on an individual basis. Through thematic analysis, a theoretical framework with reference to Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was established. Findings reveal that the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, relatedness, and dignity are conducive to well-being and decision making. Fear of being a burden to others emerges as a dominant sociocultural construct. This research extends SDT by incorporating the need for dignity as an overarching factor intersecting with SDT needs. Fulfilling psychological needs, honoring cultural beliefs, and aligning with SDG3 and ESG principles are crucial to the successful implementation of AIP. AIP policies should not only consider older adults’ practical needs but also their psychological needs, thereby fostering an age-friendly environment through sustainable development.

Exploring Consumer Perceptions in Online Shopping for Sustainable Economic Development

This research investigates consumer perceptions of online shopping and their implications for sustainable economic development. The study identifies key factors influencing consumer perceptions, including trust, convenience, environmental consciousness, and social influences, and explores how these perceptions translate into actual behaviors in the digital marketplace. Through a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, data is gathered from diverse participants. A SWOT analysis examines internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, while a PESTEL analysis examines external factors impacting the industry. Empirical findings highlight the significance of trust, convenience, environmental consciousness, and social influences in shaping consumer behavior. Additionally, the role of emerging technologies and regulatory frameworks in influencing perceptions and sustainable development is discussed. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing consumer trust, promoting sustainable consumption practices, and fostering inclusive economic growth in the digital economy. By addressing these recommendations, stakeholders can leverage digital tools to drive sustainable economic development in online shopping while overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in the evolving digital landscape.

Temporal dynamics and forecasting of aerosol optical depth in megacities Lahore and Karachi: Insights from the Indo-Gangetic Basin and southern Pakistan, and implications for Sustainable development

This scientific study investigates the temporal dynamics and forecasts aerosol optical depth (AOD) in Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan's two most populated cities. Lahore, in the center of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, and Karachi, on the southern coast, have issues from growing urbanization and significant aerosol emissions. Understanding AOD trends is critical for successful environmental management, public health planning, and climate change mitigation. Using the Box-Jenkins ARIMA models, this work systematically analyses monthly AOD fluctuations from July 2002 to May 2023 to confirm their predicting accuracy. The autocorrelation function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF) have been employed to estimate the suitable model and identify significant lags to maintain prediction accuracy. The study concludes with a judgment that Model A is ideal for the ecology of Karachi and Model B for the ecology of Lahore. The forecast till January 2030 is available to look at several trends on AOD, namely, periods of seasonal solid fluctuations for both sites. This diversity emphasizes the need for specific actions, such as stricter environmental regulations, air quality monitoring, and providing greener transport solutions, which will result in blue skies. Utilizing the in-depth observations and forecast of the changing distribution of AOD values, the study helps develop approaches for reducing aerosol pollution. This is also one of the key contributions. We investigated critical environmental problems in the cities of Karachi and Lahore and provided means for such issues' resolution, enabling sustainable development and clean air.

Keberhasilan Ekonomi Desa dan Sumber Daya Manusia terhadap Perekonomian Masyarakat

This study aims to examine the relationship between village economic success and human resources on the community economy. The village economy is at the center of attention in the context of inclusive economic development, with quality human resources playing a key role in the process. Quantitative analysis methods were used in this research, with data collected through surveys and interviews in several selected villages. Research findings show a positive relationship between the level of village economic success, which is reflected in economic growth, access to basic services, and job creation, and the quality of human resources at the local level. These results provide important policy implications for sustainable and inclusive village economic development.

Dynamic interactions and mechanisms between high‐quality urbanization and ecosystem service value in Shandong Province: Trends, coordination, and implications for sustainable development

AbstractAn extensive and profound investigation into the dynamic interactions between High‐Quality Urbanization (HQU) and Ecosystem Service Value are of utmost importance for the coordinated development of the region. Diverging from traditional macro‐level analysis, this study is grounded on county‐scale data, measuring HQU and ecosystem service value from a multidimensional perspective. On the basis of the research framework of “phenomena‐relationships‐mechanisms”, we expect to delve deeper into the spatio‐temporal evolutionary characteristics of ecosystem service value and HQU and their integrated interactions. Additionally, we utilize econometric models to rigorously evaluate the impact of HQU on ecosystem service value, with the goal of filling the current research gaps. The research results are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem service value in Shandong Province exhibit an overall decreasing and then increasing trend, and shows a spatial posture of high east and low west. HQU generally maintains a steady upward trend, and its spatio‐temporal evolution has apparent heterogeneity. (2) The Coupled Coordination Degree (CCD) between HQU and ecosystem service value has a gradual rising trend, and there is an increasing level of consistency between them. (3) HQU has a negative effect on ecosystem service value, and the direction and degree of the effect on segmented ecosystem service value types vary greatly. (4) The effect of HQU on ecosystem service value is heterogenous, and the attenuating effect is mainly found in grain‐producing counties, inland counties, and counties with a lower index of high‐quality urbanization. In conclusion, our results are expected to provide targeted recommendations for sustainable development and ecological balance in Shandong Province.

Sensitivity of insectivorous bat foraging guilds to urbanization and implications for sustainable development

Substantial urban expansion is expected in global biodiversity hotspots over the next decade, especially in Asia. One such hotspot is Sulawesi, Indonesia, which hosts a diverse array of wild mammals, including bats. While urbanization may threaten some bats, species are not uniformly sensitive to urbanization. Many bat species’ sensitivity to urbanization is associated with their foraging strategies (or foraging guild), but information from Asia, generally, is severely lacking. Here we address this knowledge gap regarding urban sensitivity among insectivorous, echolocating bats within the context of urban informal settlements around the city of Makassar, South Sulawesi. Globally and in Makassar, informal settlements often exist on the fringe of cities, forming an urban-undeveloped land interface. Consequently, they may present opportunities to support conservation for some bats, given a growing focus on nature-based sustainable development solutions to improve the lives of informal settlement residents. We examined how, among informal settlements across Makassar, relative activity of bat sonotypes (in lieu of taxonomic species) from different foraging guilds was related to environmental factors associated with urban expansion. We found bat activity was influenced by processes interacting across multiple spatial scales ranging from the landscape- (e.g., spatial location relative to dense development in the urban core) to local-level (e.g., particular environmental features within 500 m). Broadly, we found some foraging guilds had lower overall relative activity, as well lower activity within the urban core compared to the peri-urban zone, indicating differential sensitivity to urbanization among Makassar’s bats that matches findings elsewhere. However, intensity of both urban and peri-urban informal settlement habitat use by particular bats was driven by a combination of landscape- and local-scale features. At the local scale, tree cover and inland water area frequently influenced sonotype activity in settlements, including urban core habitat use by urban-sensitive bats. Our work demonstrates that, especially if coordinated across broader spatial scales, local nature-based upgrades in informal settlements incorporating diverse green and blue spaces have the potential to enhance suitability of urban zones for both bats and for people.

Unlocking sustainability potential: The impact of green finance reform on corporate ESG performance

AbstractImproving the incentive mechanism and institutional framework of green finance policy is important to promote the synchronization of environmental management and enterprise development. Based on China's green finance reform and innovation pilot (GFRIP) policy in 2017, this study constructs a quasi‐natural experiment with a sample of A‐share listed companies and draws the following conclusions. (1) The effectiveness of GFRIP policy in significantly promoting enterprises' ESG performance in pilot areas, robustness tests such as propensity score matching and placebo tests reconfirm conclusions. (2) The GFRIP policy can effectively improve enterprise ESG performance by easing financing constraints, promoting green investment, and improving managers' green cognition. (3) Both external environmental law enforcement and internal manager environmental awareness can enhance the promotion effect of the GFRIP policy on ESG performance. (4) Heterogeneity analysis shows that the ESG performance of state‐owned enterprises, large enterprises, and high‐polluting enterprises is more affected by pilot policy. The results of the study provide a valuable perspective on how the government can promote green finance policies and implications for enterprises' sustainable development.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC INFORMATION OPENNESS AND ICT DEVELOPMENT

The relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development and the level of Public Information Openness (KIP) holds significant implications for inclusive and sustainable societal development. This study employs statistical analysis, including Pearson correlation, to examine this relationship across Indonesian provinces in 2022. Findings indicate a positive correlation between ICT development and KIP. Access to ICT infrastructure and ICT usage show significant correlations with IKIP levels across various provinces. Provinces with better ICT development generally exhibit higher KIP levels. However, the relationship with ICT skills is comparatively weaker, indicating other influencing factors on ICT literacy within the community. The conclusion drawn from this research is that ICT development positively contributes to enhancing Public Information Transparency in Indonesia. Therefore, further efforts are needed to support equitable ICT development, enhance digital literacy, and strengthen public information transparency, enabling the population to effectively harness information and communication technology

The Impact of The Green Bonds on The Financial Sustainability: Evidence From Egypt

Egypt’s Vision 2030 delineates a comprehensive national strategy aimed at fostering sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on environmental conservation and economic advancement. Central to this vision is the integration of green finance instruments, notably green bonds, as pivotal tools for realizing environmental objectives while driving economic growth. However, the successful implementation of green bonds faces multifaceted challenges, including market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and the establishment of robust monitoring mechanisms. This research conducts an in-depth exploration of the intricate relationship between green bonds, environmental sustainability, and economic development within the context of Egypt’s Vision. Drawing on a synthesis of academic literature and insights gleaned from international case studies, the study critically evaluates the mechanisms for implementing green bonds. It also identifies the financing challenges and opportunities inherent in Vision green economy aspirations, while proposing strategic pathways to enhance the efficacy of green bond deployment. Formulating a set of research hypotheses, the study examines the alignment of green bond implementation mechanisms with Vision 2030 objectives, evaluates the impact of market perceptions and regulatory frameworks on green bond financing effectiveness, and assesses the role of international collaborations in mitigating financing challenges. Furthermore, the research explores key variables such as environmental impact, green bonds, and financial sustainability to elucidate their interconnections and implications for sustainable development. By offering nuanced insights and actionable recommendations, this research aims to enrich the discourse on sustainable development and financial innovation in Egypt. It seeks to bridge existing knowledge gaps, inform strategic decision-making processes, and facilitate the formulation of evidence-based policies conducive to realizing Egypt’s sustainable development aspirations outlined in Vision 2030. Keywords: Egypt’s Vision 2030, Green Bonds, Sustainable Development, Financial Innovation, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Growth.

Uncovering the Interplay Between Social Welfare Preferences and Society 5.0 Achievement: Implications for Sustainable Development

Abstract The paper delves into the concept of Society 5.0, which envisions a future society integrating advanced technologies with human-centred values to address current social challenges. It emphasizes the importance of aligning advanced technologies with human-centred values and social preferences to ensure the success and sustainability of Society 5.0. We offer comprehensive insights into the complex interplay between social welfare preferences and societal progress, emphasizing the significance of understanding and addressing societal preferences to foster inclusive, sustainable, and efficient societies aligned with the objectives of Society 5.0. The findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders in developing targeted interventions and policies that address critical societal challenges and foster progress across various well-being dimensions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering social preferences in the development of Society 5.0 and highlights the need for a holistic approach that integrates social preferences into the development framework. The study unveils that economic success does not guarantee societal advancement, as the array of social preferences reflecting the diversity of SWP impacts a country’s trajectory towards Society 5.0. By combining theoretical and empirical methodologies, we offer robust qualitative and quantitative insights for crafting optimal policies across different scenarios of individual SWPs and their effects on achieving social progress