Sustainability Issues Research Articles

Supporting trade negotiations with sustainable development impact assessments

Abstract Concerns regarding equitable design of the trade governance system call for complex answers. One element of this reflection is to better assess the potential impacts of prospective trade commitments. Over the past three decades, models used to estimate potential gains from trade have overstated the gains and have failed to adequately account for the costs such as loss of tariff revenue, loss of market access, administrative costs, opportunity costs of directing government resources to trade administration, and more. This essay argues that a comprehensive approach to estimating the impacts of trade disciplines, particularly with respect to social and sustainability issues, could improve the outcomes of trade negotiations as well as the implementation of agreed-upon disciplines, particularly for developing countries. Specifically, sustainable development impact assessments could help developing countries build capacity and identify their policy needs ahead of trade negotiations as well as inform the course of negotiations. Once benefits and costs are better assessed, negotiations could focus on the allocation of these developmental and implementation impacts, particularly for the lowest-income and most capacity-constrained countries.

Multi-criteria decision-making for solving transport sustainability issues: an overview

With the recognition of the impact of the transport sector on climate change and human health, decision-makers are under the pressure to shape the transport sector in a more sustainable way, considering more sustainable options and technologies. Besides that, it is also important to ensure such aspects as affordability, security, reliability and convenience of transport services and the effective functioning of the whole system. Therefore, transport-related policy actions require not only an economic point of view, but also environmental and social actions. The article aims to overview the application of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques for solving sustainability issues in the transport sector and to provide the main insights for methods and sustainability criteria selection. The Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement were applied as the basis for the research. The detailed content analysis of studies is arranged according to the application areas and the methods applied. In order to increase the applicability of the performed analysis and to simplify the decision-making for further studies, the thematic areas for criteria selection are proposed, the most popular MCDM techniques alongside their advantages and disadvantages are briefly discussed.

Energy choices to health outcomes: A multidimensional analysis of risk in BRICS via PMG-ARDL approach.

This article employs a Panel Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG-ARDL) approach to investigate the interaction between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), fossil fuel, renewable energy consumption, trade, and their collective impact on life expectancy within the BRICS nations. The research reveals compelling findings. Notably, CO2 emissions and trade openness exhibit negative and statistically significant impact on life expectancy. In contrast, GDP per capita and renewable energy consumption are positive and significant determinants of longer life expectancy. The nuanced outcomes underscore the complex interplay of economic, environmental, and social factors within the BRICS nations. The effects found by PMG-ARDL and FMOLS are very comparable, except for the trade openness' coefficients, which is the inverse. These findings hold significant implications for policy interpretation and sustainable development strategies. As nations struggle to balance economic growth and environmental improvement with public health, tailored interventions targeting CO2 reduction, trade openness, renewable energy, and GDP growth can collectively contribute to longer life expectancy. In a broader context, this research contributes to the global discourse on sustainability, economic improvement, and health issue.

Sustainable energy consumption in African higher institutions of learning: the nexus of top management commitment and institutional pressures

PurposeThis study investigates the nexus of top management commitment and institutional pressures towards enhancing sustainable energy consumption in African Higher Institutions of Learning.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structured questionnaire survey, cross-sectional data collected from 64 higher institutions of learning registered with the Uganda National Council for Higher Education were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).FindingsThe findings revealed that top management commitment and institutional pressures individually associate with sustainable energy consumption. Top management commitment does not cause variations in sustainable energy consumption. However, when top management commitment coalesces with institutional pressures, they significantly predict sustainable energy consumption.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study focuses on Higher Institutions of Learning in Uganda. Hence caution should be taken before generalization of findings. This study therefore sets ground for future studies to investigate sustainable energy consumption in other institutions.Originality/valueThis study tests the efficacy of top management commitment and institutional pressures on sustainable energy consumption using evidence from African Higher Institutions of Learning. It provides new directions for study in such a nascent area of critical national dimension as sustainability and climate change issues top the global agenda.

Methodologies of meat analogue production and nutritional perspectives: a review

With increasing global population and environmental concerns, the development of meat analogues, including plant-based proteins and cultivated meat, has become a solution for elevating global protein production and addressing sustainability issues. North America and Europe lead the meat analogue market, driven by elevated consumer awareness of health and environmental concerns. Under the influence of western diet, the Asian market is also poised for growth. While cultivated meat industry remains immature, advancements in production and cost reductions are expected to boost its market share over time. Although research on meat analogue methodology has increased in recent years, reviews that combine production methodologies and nutritional perspectives remain uncommon. This review comprehensively analyses the production methods, nutritional values, and market prospects of meat analogues. Meat analogue production has great potential in reducing water consumption, promoting sustainability, and improving animal welfare. Meat analogue provides high protein content and balanced amino acid profile, though certain micronutrient deficiencies due to production processes. This review outlines directions for further research in meat analogue production, emphasizing the importance of enhancing production efficiency and nutritional fortification to address food insecurity and environmental damage.

The impact of digital transformation and ESG on customer behaviour towards brands at commercial banks in Ho Chi Minh city

ESG (environmental, social and governance, a framework used to assess an organisation’s business practices and performance on various sustainability and ethical issues) and Digital Transformation (the process of using digital technologies to change a business’s operations, products and services by integrating digital solutions into all areas of the business, which can lead to cultural and technological changes) are emerging issues across different industries, including the banking field. There has been limited research focusing on exploring the linkages between ESG, Digital Transformation and Customer Behaviour in the banking area, especially within developing countries such as Vietnam. Based on this gap, this study analyses and assesses the role of Digital Transformation and ESG on customer behaviour towards brands in the banking sector in Ho Chi Minh City. The research employed the quantitative research methods with the combination of fundamental analytical methods such as statistics, Cronbach’s alpha reliability, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), measurement models and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The analysis was based on survey data from 550 customers who are the commercial banks’ current customers and live in Ho Chi Minh City, yielding 514 valid responses. Using SPSS and SMART PLS software, the study provided notable results. Specifically: (1) The component factors of ESG, including Environmental Issues (EN), Social Issues (SO), Government Issues (GO) and Digital Transformation (DT), positively influence Customer Behaviour (CB); (2) The component factors of ESG, including Environmental Issues (EN), Social Issues (SO) and Government Issues (GO), play a mediating role in the relationship between Digital Transformation (DT) and Customer Behaviour (CB).

Green Accounting for Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Review of Participatory Action Research Towards A Sustainable Future

The growth of medium-sized companies in the last decade has had a significant impact on the environment, especially in Indonesia’s major cities. This research aims to develop an environmental reporting model (green accounting) that is suitable for medium-scale companies. Using a participatory action research (PAR) approach, the research involved stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, government, academics, and environmental activists in formulating this reporting model. The study was conducted in Makassar City with 140 medium-scale companies as respondents. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observations, followed by focus group discussions (FGDs) to develop the reporting model. The results show that sustainability awareness is quite high, but the implementation of environmentally friendly practices is still limited due to the lack of technical knowledge, resources, and multi-stakeholder involvement, especially from the government. The FGDs formulated three main indicators of environmental reporting: water, energy and waste. This research offers an original contribution by developing an environmental reporting model specifically designed for medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. The reporting model developed in this study can be applied to medium-sized enterprises not only in Indonesia, but also in other countries. Theoretically, the results of this study provide theoretical support for the need for a more in-depth study of sustainability issues in medium-sized companies. However, this study has a weakness in that the research respondents are only half of the population of medium-sized companies in Makassar City, Indonesia.

Revealing the Potential of Fucus vesiculosus Linnaeus for Cosmetic Purposes: Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of Commercial and Wild Samples

The natural products industry is gaining increasing interest, not only due to modern lifestyles becoming more aware of environmental and sustainability issues but also because of the loss of efficacy and undesirable side effects of synthetic ingredients. This pioneering study provides a comprehensive comparison between extracts obtained from wild and commercial samples of Fucus vesiculosus Linnaeus, highlighting their multifaceted benefits in cosmetic applications. The antiaging potential of acetone (70 and 90%) and ethanol 60% extracts from wild and commercial samples of F. vesiculosus, focusing on their application in cosmetics, was explored. The extracts were chemically characterized, their carotenoid profiles being established by HPLC, and the total phenolic content and phlorotannins by spectrophotometry. The extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant potential against the physiologic free radicals superoxide anion radical (O2•−) and nitric oxide (•NO), for their ability to inhibit the enzymes hyaluronidase and tyrosinase, and for their anti-inflammatory potential in the macrophage cell model RAW 264.7. The acetone 70% extract of wild F. vesiculosus was the richest in fucoxanthin, which accounted for more than 67% of the total pigments identified, followed by the acetone 90% extract of the same sample, where both fucoxanthin and pheophytin-a represented 40% of the total pigments. The same behavior was observed for phenolic compounds, with the ethanol 60% presenting the lowest values. A chemical correlation could be established between the chemical composition and the biological activities, with acetone extracts from the wild F. vesiculosus, richer in fucoxanthin and phlorotannins, standing out as natural ingredients with anti-aging potential. Acetone 90% can be highlighted as the most effective extraction solvent, their extracts presenting the highest radicals scavenging capacity, ability to inhibit tyrosinase to a greater extent than the commercial ingredient kojic acid, and potential to slow down the inflammatory process.

Climate Fluctuations and Growing Sensitivity of Grape Production in Abruzzo (Central Italy) over the Past Sixty Years

The sensitivity of the agricultural production system to short- and long-term climate variations significantly affects the availability and prices of food resources, raising relevant issues of sustainability and food security. Globally, productive systems have adapted to climate change, leading to increased yields over the past century. However, the extent to which these adaptations mitigate the impacts of short-term climate fluctuations, both extreme and ordinary, remains poorly studied. To evaluate the vulnerability of crop yield to short-term climate fluctuations and to determine whether it changes over time, we conducted a statistical analysis focusing on one of the main crops in the Abruzzo region (central Italy) as a case study: grape. The study involves correlation analysis between opportune climatic indices (SPI and SPEI) and grape yield data over the sixty-year period from 1952 to 2014, aimed at evaluating the impact of short-term climatic fluctuations—both extreme and ordinary—on crop yield. Our findings reveal an increasing correlation, mainly in the summer–autumn season, which suggests a rising sensitivity of the productive system over time. The observed increase is indicative of the Abruzzo grape production system’s adaptation to climate change, resulting in higher overall yields but not enhancing the response to short-term climatic fluctuations.

Agricultural innovations for sustainability? Diverse pathways and plural perspectives on rice seeds in Odisha, India

AbstractWe focus on alternative innovation pathways for addressing agricultural sustainability challenges in Odisha, India. The first pathway that we term as industrial, is focused on breeding new seed varieties in modern laboratories and test fields, ostensibly for climate resilience. It is driven by public scientific institutions and private corporations. The second pathway that we call agroecological, is grounded in saving and sharing of diverse local varieties, largely by Indigenous (Adivasi) smallholders and their allies in civil society. Using the pathways’ descriptions as bases, we present perspectives of different professional groups who appraise how effectively each pathway addresses a range of sustainability issues. While all participants appraise the agroecological pathway to be clearly better performing for addressing agricultural biodiversity and cultural uses of rice, appraisals for issues of the economy, seed accessibility, stress tolerance, and nutrition diverged from each other. An overall picture in support of one pathway did not emerge. Embracing such ambiguities and uncertainties associated with appraisals, we argue for balancing political support between diverse pathways. Greater support for structurally marginalised agroecological pathways may be crucial to meet sustainability goals. This support can include the restitution of lands and other socio-ecological resources for marginalised pathways as well as guaranteeing autonomy of Adivasi (Indigenous) communities among whom the pathways thrive.

CADRES' SENSE OF “HANDARBENI” IN MAINTAINING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ACTIVITY GROUPS (PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF BKL CEMARA CADRES)

Among the challenges of Elderly Family Development (BKL) group activities is the issue of sustainability. Many groups are formed due to competition factors and stop activities afterwards. BKL Cemara Pondokrejo, Kapanewon Tempel Sleman Regency is able to maintain the sustainability of activities through the local wisdom of “handarbeni” or a sense of belonging. The purpose of this study was to obtain an in-depth description of cadres in building a sense of handarbeni so as to find ways to sustain the BKL group. This study used a qualitative approach with a descriptive phenomenological design. Through in-depth interviews, the data were analyzed using the Colaizzi technique to see the meaning of the role of cadres in managing BKL groups that underlie sustainability. The results of this study found that on the Back Stage, cadres experienced dynamics in maintaining group sustainability. The challenge of maintaining a sense of handarbeni is overcome from interpreting the role of cadres as a noble task to providing additional appreciation of financial benefits, recreation and periodic free health checks for administrators. In the Front Stage role, in their limitations, cadres try to appear cheerful, patient and polite in serving the elderly.

Utilizing Extractive Transportation Infrastructures for Subsistence Livelihoods: Experience of Evenki Communities in Eastern Siberia

The availability of natural resources drives the exploration and transformation of remote regions in the Arctic and beyond. Extractive infrastructure is one of the major sources of industrial development and environmental impact on landscapes. For Indigenous people, these landscapes are homely environments full of sentient beings, and for other local communities, they provide a wide variety of subsistence and hunting resources. While extractive infrastructure violence is the evident issue for many Indigenous communities, there are more complicated situations where extractive infrastructure is adopted and utilized for the subsistence and support of other human and more-than-human relations in local and Indigenous communities. Based on materials from interviews and observations with Evenki communities in Eastern Siberia in 2013–2021, the authors discuss the complex relations and sustainability issues entangled around infrastructure objects’ creation, use, maintenance, and transformations. The results demonstrate a wide variety of relations between obshchinas (non-governmental organizations of Indigenous peoples) and extractive companies constructed with infrastructure development of the latter. The paper discusses the shortcomings of the top-down approach in infrastructure planning and the need for contextualization and meaningful engagement with affected communities, some examples of which have already taken place in specific locales. The study concludes by calling for the support of environmentally and socially just infrastructure defined by Indigenous people and local communities as a way to increase sustainability.

Perceived values of luxury fashion brands—evidence from Indonesian Millennials

Consumers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries represent rapid growth, and they are anticipated to become next wave of important markets for luxury fashion sector. This empirical study aims to examine millennials’ perceptions towards luxury fashion brand values and how these influence their purchase intentions in Indonesia, the biggest market in the ASEAN. Through quantitative research, the primary data was collected from 301 self-completed online questionnaires. It is revealed that Indonesian millennials regard the consumption of luxury fashion brands as an investment. Meanwhile, ethical and sustainability issues have become increasingly important in consumers’ decisions to purchase luxury fashion brands. Based upon the value-based segmentation of luxury consumption, the present study recognizes that Indonesian millennials prioritize symbolic and financial values and seek conspicuousness in line with self-identity.

Unlocking rewards for sustainability: a framework for valuing pro-environmental behaviors in Polish cities

Addressing the pressing need for urban sustainability, we propose an innovative framework for quantifying and rewarding pro-environmental behaviors among urban residents. The methodology integrates three key dimensions: individual engagement, community values, and environmental impact. Individual effort is measured using the metabolic equivalent of task rates, which capture the energy expenditure for pro-environmental actions. Community values are prioritized by allocating weights based on their local importance, established by stakeholder engagement. A comprehensive literature review is used to evaluate the specific ecological benefits of each activity, ensuring that their contributions to sustainability are measured. Focusing on Gdańsk, Poland, as a case study, a diverse set of pro-environmental actions with local importance was carefully selected and evaluated. Stakeholder input enabled objective ranking and weighting, ensuring that actions were significant and impactful. This systematic approach determines rewards, aligning them with individual effort, community goals, and environmental benefits, demonstrating the framework’s adaptability to various urban settings. The findings suggest that the framework may be effectively used in future endeavors to encourage meaningful, long-term pro-environmental behaviors. It provides a scalable solution to urban sustainability issues through tailored incentive strategies. Finally, by balancing individual efforts and environmental benefits, this study establishes a blueprint for policies that foster a globally active and environmentally mindful community.

Trends and determinants of quality of sustainability reporting: an analysis of Indian banks

This study evaluates the quality of sustainability reports in the banking industry. The paper also examines how bank ownership, market capitalization, and profitability affect reporting quality. Sustainability reporting is at the core of the corporate sustainability environment. Two hundred twenty-four bank-year sustainability reports issued by 34 banks from 2015–16 to 2022–23 of the Indian banking industry were coded using content analysis techniques. The study uses a 23-indicator quality assessment scale developed by Pistoni et al. (Corp Soc Responsib Environ Manage 25(4):489–507, 2018). The scale measures Background, Assurance and Reliability, Content, and Form of reports. The study reveals that while quality has improved, there is a need for further efforts to achieve high-quality and consistent sustainability reporting. Form and background areas are well addressed, but report content and assurance need improvement. The findings imply a link between market capitalization and QSR, as larger banks report better. However, ownership structure and profitability do not affect the quality of reporting. This study facilitates banks and stakeholders to integrate sustainability issues. This study is one of the initial attempts to analyze the quality of sustainability reports published by Indian banks and adds to the expanding domain of quality research.

Sustainable Naga King Chilli Cultivation: Factors Influencing Technical Knowledge and its use Among Farmers

Sustainability in agricultural production has become a dire necessity for the availability of sufficient food, assured employment to growing populations and conservation of natural resources. Naga king chilli with GI tag, is a crop of economic importance and is generally grown under natural conditions in Nagaland. The study aimed to evaluate farmers' technical knowledge towards sustainable Naga king chilli cultivation practices and to determine the variables that conditioned their knowledge level. Ex-post-facto research design was adopted for the study. Peren, Dimapur and Mon districts of Nagaland were purposively selected. Two Rural Development (RD) blocks were randomly selected from each of the districts and two villages were selected randomly from each block making a total of twelve villages. A sample size of 250 respondents was selected based on a proportionate random sampling procedure. Primary data were obtained using a structured interview schedule. The study found that 60.40 per cent of the respondents had a medium level of knowledge of sustainable king chilli farming technology. Variables like size of land under Naga king chilli, farming experience, training exposure, information source utilization, family size and economic motivation showed significant relation towards farmers' knowledge of sustainable cultivation practices of Naga king chilli. The findings suggested organizing capacity-building programmes on sustainable Naga king chilli cultivation practices and appropriate integration of traditional knowledge with location-specific improved sustainable agricultural practices is vital for the economic generation of the farmers while addressing the global issue of food security and ecological sustainability.. KEYWORDS :Naga King chilli, Knowledge, Nagaland, Sustainability, Cultivation.

“I do not see others recycling”- A Perspective of Youths’ Willingness in Bangladesh

Evidence reveals that youths’ notion towards recycling in Bangladesh is altering gradually with global inclination where relative variables imply major influence. Unveiling this true scenario of youths’ willingness to recycle within the context of an emerging nation is the core objective of this investigation. Three domains namely social context, ethical behavior, and issues of environmental sustainability were studied under the shed of social impact theory. To understand the current phenomenon, a total of 593 survey responses were congregated over five months (June-October,2023) using a convenience sampling technique. Qualitative inquiry testified to a strong positive association in the social context (r=. 624, p<.000). However, an insignificant but positive impression was identified between ethical behavior (r=. 370, p<.000). Again, youths’ concern regarding environmental sustainability has a positive moderate correlation (r=. 499, p<.000). All these refer to young peoples’ existing unfamiliarity towards the subject matters, while on the contrary with global trends, they are also gradually getting inspired. Essentially, regression analysis proved that all these parameters explain 51% of youths’ recycling enthusiasm in Bangladesh. Furthermore, it recommends practical implications for functional recycling structures. Likewise, the proposed future research directions will assist scholars in identifying further distinct features of individual arenas and action plans for extended societal progression.

지속가능발전교육 실천을 위한 미술과 수업 프로그램 개발

SD and ESD are more important than ever as part of global efforts to solve problems with the natural environment. In this study, art education program for implementing ESD is developed and investigated its educational effectiveness. This program goes through the process of recognizing sustainability issues, having awareness of the problem, and creatively solving problems. Through this, responsibility and action, sensitivity and empathy, love for the natural ecosystem, integrated thinking, and cooperative capabilities are developed. It is designed to be mindful and considerate of the natural environment and ecosystem. As a result of implementing the program on 26 sixth-grade students at an elementary school in Gyeonggi-do, the students were able to gain a deeper awareness of the seriousness of environmental problems and deepen their awareness of issues related to the global environment. Through this study, we will be able to contribute to SD by cultivating social responsibility and community spirit through art.

Disciplining the active leisure performer: Swedish sport federations and outdoor recreation organizations’ work with environmental sustainability

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyse the efforts of the Swedish sport federations and outdoor organizations’ work in promoting environmental sustainability and the influence of their strategies on their work. The study utilizes data from 25 sport federations and outdoor organizations’ websites, and 19 interviews with key employees working with sustainability issues. The data were analysed from a Foucauldian understanding of power as both productive and disciplinary. One key finding is that organizations acknowledge their ability and responsibility to contribute to sustainable development and serve as a productive force. They aim to change their members’ habits and norms through disseminating knowledge, to discipline individuals according to certain expectations. However, challenges arise due to voluntariness, democratic governance by members and other norms that may prioritize different goals over environmental sustainability. It is crucial to consider the inherent objectives of sports and outdoor recreations and use their transformative potential to drive change.

Review about Application of Nelumbo Nucifera

Natural Fibers are obtained from nature. The natural sources of these fibres can be plants, animals or minerals. We selected the plant sources as Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Lotus(Nelumbo nucifera) an aquatic perennial plant cultivated widely from Pallapalayam pond, Pollachi. Natural fibers have the advantages of low density, low cost, and biodegradability. Lotus fabric has the same significance but is less popular compared to other natural fibers. This fiber is a unique and luxurious natural fiber and its properties are Softness due to the fine and delicate fibers, breathability, antibacterial, moisture-wicking, UVresistant, sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. It is used for Textiles like scarves, shawls and clothing, fishing nets and ropes because it has water resistant properties and other marine equipment, handicrafts such as baskets, bags and other woven goods, paper, medical purposes like napkins, wet wipes, sutures, absorbent core sheet, diapers etc. The industry is embracing nonwovens (pads, wipes, napkins) and single-use materials to cater to the huge demand from the consumer community. Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus) was used in their study to enhance the good medicinal property and eco- friendly in nature. Sustainability issues in textiles have an exploration of many new fibers from renewable sources. Lotus plants require minimal water and no chemicals or pesticides, making the fiber environmentally friendly. It is also naturally resistant to water and stains, making it’s a range of products.