Key Sustainability Indicators Research Articles

Evaluating tourism scenarios within the limit of acceptable change framework in Barcelona

This article introduces an expanded Limit of Acceptable Change model, enhancing the traditional approach by incorporating various tourism scenarios and a broader range of indicators. This approach allows to gain a more comprehensive understanding and foresee the effects of diverse tourist profiles and intensities of use in Barcelona. It considers factors like motivation, origin, and accommodation type, and evaluates their effects on key sustainability indicators. The study reveals that significant shifts in tourism patterns are required to impact these indicators noticeably, emphasizing the need to consider both tourist numbers and typologies in sustainable tourism management. This approach equips destination planners with a valuable tool for strategic decision-making and long-term planning.

Sustainability Prediction by Evaluating the Emergy of a Co-Treatment System for Municipal Wastewater and Acidic Water Using Intermittent Electrocoagulation

The objective of this research was to evaluate the sustainability of a co-treatment system that combines Municipal Wastewater (MW) and Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) through the technique of intermittent electrocoagulation, applied as an advanced solution to improve contaminant removal efficiency and optimize energy balance. Four scenarios were analyzed: Treatment I (with a 1/7 ratio of urban wastewater to AMD), Treatment II (which includes an artificial wetland), Treatment IIIa (which introduces electrocoagulation to enhance sulfate removal and pH regulation), and Treatment IIIb (which employs a 1/15 ratio of AMD to eutrophic water). The methodology focused on calculating key sustainability indicators such as the Net Yield Ratio (EYR), Emergy Inversion Ratio (EIR), Environmental Loading Ratio (ELR), and Sustainability Index (SI), in order to assess the impact of each technology on the energy efficiency and environmental load of the system. The results showed that, although Treatment IIIa was effective in contaminant removal, the EIR increased to 0.18 and the ELR rose to 0.62, indicating a higher reliance on non-renewable inputs due to increased energy demand. However, Treatment IIIb, which combines electrocoagulation with eutrophic water, significantly improved the sustainability of the system, achieving an SI of 2.31 and an ELR of 1.22, reflecting a reduction in energy efficiency due to intensive use of external resources, but overall greater sustainability compared to the other scenarios. This research concludes that intermittent electrocoagulation, when integrated with synergistic resources like eutrophic water, can enhance contaminant removal efficiency and improve the use of renewable resources, minimizing environmental load and increasing the sustainability of wastewater treatment systems.

Assessing urban development indicators for environmental sustainability

Rapid urbanization and inadequate environmental planning have significantly increased pressure on ecosystems, leading to unsustainable urban growth. Understanding the environmental impact of urbanization is crucial for sustainable development, especially in rapidly growing cities like Mashhad, Iran. Emergy Analysis, a method that quantifies the total energy used to support an ecosystem, was applied in this study to assess Mashhad’s environmental sustainability using emergy-based indicators. Key sustainability indicators, such as the Emergy Sustainability Index, Environmental Load Ratio, and Emergy Self-Support Ratio, were analyzed using data from 2011, 2016, and 2021. The results reveal that Mashhad's development is currently unsustainable, with heavy dependence on non-renewable resources and increasing environmental pressure. While the Emergy Sustainability Index showed modest improvement, key indicators like the Emergy Yield Ratio and Emergy Density declined, indicating reduced resource efficiency. Additionally, the Environmental Load Ratio increased, reflecting higher environmental stress. Without significant interventions, Mashhad’s current development trajectory will remain unsustainable. The study offers practical recommendations, such as reducing urban sprawl, promoting green spaces, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Educating residents about resource efficiency and sustainable urban planning is critical. These findings provide actionable insights for other developing cities facing similar environmental challenges and serve as a blueprint for sustainable urban development in resource-constrained settings.

Improving sustainability of rice-canola rotation through water and nitrogen management in a humid region

Intensive cropping systems face significant environmental and economic challenges due to current water and nutrient management practices. This study addresses the limited research on optimizing these practices in rice-canola rotations, focusing on enhancing sustainability through improved water and nitrogen (N) management. Utilizing the DSSAT crop growth model, we evaluated three irrigation scenarios for rice- I1 (100 % irrigation requirement: IR), I2 (80 % IR), and I3 (60 % IR)-alongside three N application levels: N1 (30 % below RAN: regional average N), N2 (RAN), and N3 (30 % above RAN). Key sustainability indicators, including water productivity (WP), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and economic productivity, were analyzed. The DSSAT model demonstrated strong predictive accuracy, with yield differences of only 236 kg ha⁻¹ for rice and 121 kg ha⁻¹ for canola between observed and simulated values. A 40 % reduction in water use increased rice yield to a maximum of 5654 kg ha⁻¹ under I3N2 conditions. Additionally, this reduction in water consumption resulted in a 27 % decrease in production costs, significantly enhancing WP, net benefits, and gross benefits of rice by 46.7 %, 43.1 %, and 47.9 %, respectively. Conversely, a 30 % increase in N application for canola correlated with a 9 % yield increase, underscoring the importance of tailored N strategies. Furthermore, N3 raised WP, NUE, net benefits, and gross benefits of canola by 6.7 %, 1.4 %, 9.1 %, and 9.2 %, respectively, compared with current N application level. Overall, this study illustrates the potential for substantial water savings in rice cultivation while recommending stable or reduced N application levels. These management strategies enhance farm performance, lower production costs, and contribute to the sustainability of rice-canola cropping systems, promoting both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.

Identifying and quantifying key sustainability indicators for pastoral dairy-beef production systems

Identifying and quantifying key sustainability indicators for pastoral dairy-beef production systems

Sustainability Indicators Correlation Matrix

Abstract: This study explores the complex interplay between economic growth, environmental preservation, and energy efficiency in the context of sustainable development. Leveraging analytical tools such as the OSeMOSYS model and Pearson correlation coefficient, the research investigates how economic decisions impact energy resource utilization and environmental quality. Key sustainability indicators, including Energy Payback Time (EPBT), Internal Rate of Return (ITR), and Climate Change Impact Mitigation (IMPcc), are analyzed within the framework of the Atlantis energy system. The study emphasizes the need to balance economic priorities with environmental considerations to achieve sustainability objectives effectively. Furthermore, the research evaluates the correlation between sustainability indicators when integrated into the optimization process of the OSeMOSYS energy modeling system. This approach, advocated in previous studies, underscores the importance of incorporating sustainability metrics into decision-making processes. In conclusion, the findings highlight the necessity of reevaluating the weighting of indicators within optimization functions to prioritize sustainability goals. By providing insights into the complex relationships between economic, energy, and environmental factors, the study contributes to advancing sustainable development practices for policymakers, businesses, and society as a whole.

Development of an integrated sustainability indicator for the local people surrounding a reservoir project

Sustainable benefits from water resource development involve many factors that need to be holistically considered for implementing management policies. The study aimed to develop a set of key sustainability indicators following the social context surrounding a reservoir. The results show the quality-of-life is the highest significance, followed by natural resource conservation, risk management, participation, and equality, respectively. The indicator of the highest significance in the quality of life was confidence in livelihoods against flood and drought. The findings can apply to the assessment of sustainable development from reservoir projects and support a broader analysis of key sustainability criteria in various areas.

EXPLORING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF CONCRETE BRIDGES

After the construction boom of the past 30-40 years, United Arab Emirates has been left with many costly structures that may or may not fulfill modern sustainability requirements. With the on-going economic recession seen by most of the world and a higher awareness among the population regarding the environmental and societal impact of construction, engineers and designers are carrying out sustainability studies for all kinds of infrastructure. Although most of past research has focused on sustainability rating of buildings, recent advances in this area shows a heightened interest in sustainability assessment of bridges as well. Several of the key sustainability indicators for buildings are also applicable for bridge; quantitative (construction cost and assembly, transportation of materials, service life, environmental impact, etc.) and qualitative (aesthetics, safety features, etc.). This paper contributes to an ongoing research project aimed at developing a sustainability rating system for bridges in the UAE. It includes a comprehensive survey designed to evaluate the relevance of current sustainability indicators for bridge projects within the region. The findings and analysis of this survey are discussed, providing insights into the adaptation of these sustainability metrics for UAE bridges.

EXPLORING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF CONCRETE BRIDGES

After the construction boom of the past 30-40 years, United Arab Emirates has been left with many costly structures that may or may not fulfill modern sustainability requirements. With the on-going economic recession seen by most of the world and a higher awareness among the population regarding the environmental and societal impact of construction, engineers and designers are carrying out sustainability studies for all kinds of infrastructure. Although most of past research has focused on sustainability rating of buildings, recent advances in this area shows a heightened interest in sustainability assessment of bridges as well. Several of the key sustainability indicators for buildings are also applicable for bridge; quantitative (construction cost and assembly, transportation of materials, service life, environmental impact, etc.) and qualitative (aesthetics, safety features, etc.). This paper contributes to an ongoing research project aimed at developing a sustainability rating system for bridges in the UAE. It includes a comprehensive survey designed to evaluate the relevance of current sustainability indicators for bridge projects within the region. The findings and analysis of this survey are discussed, providing insights into the adaptation of these sustainability metrics for UAE bridges.

MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

This paper provides an analysis of the most important sustainability indicators for SSCM in construction and gives a detailed overview of what has been scientifically accomplished in the field to date, and identifies areas for further research. The most important sustainability indicators were also grouped and presented in the literature review into the main seven assessment groups of the SSCM construction industry and ranked by experts from Northern Italy and Lithuania in several different ways. Based on the data from the Table 3, it can be inferred that a harmonious work environment among ecological sustainability indicators appeared as the most crucial indicator for respondents. Environmental education was among the most important social indicators. In the legal group, work efficiency emerged as the most significant indicator, while in the physical group, sustainable resource use was crucial. In the political realm, economic and political stability was the most important, and among technological indicators, innovation stood out. Among economic indicators, profit was the most significant sustainability indicator for respondents. A general indicator importance method combined results obtained from expert surveys using various methods. The ranking of sustainability indicators in each group was not included in the calculation of the overall indicator importance, but the results were similar in both cases. The determined importance of indicator values could be adapted for further analysis, specifically for multicriteria evaluation, as per the conceptual model shown in Figure 1. This article provides members of the construction industry with detailed calculations and results of the evaluation of key sustainability indicators related to supply chain groups. This study explores several possible ways to measure the importance of sustainability indicators, which could provide further theoretical insights into SSCM in the construction industry and help develop an accurate sustainability index model.

Key sustainable mobility indicators for university campuses

The increasing focus on promoting sustainable transportation in higher education institutions has resulted in studies that examine different aspects of the planning process. However, little research has focused on an essential element of the process: indicators of sustainable mobility in the context of university campuses. This gap is particularly noticeable in countries like Brazil, where this investigation was carried out. This study aimed to identify a set of key indicators to evaluate sustainable mobility on university campuses by taking into account their relevance and suitability to different contexts. The study combined knowledge gained from real-life planning initiatives with experts' judgment to identify the key indicators. After selecting potentially transferable indicators, we formed an expert panel with professionals from various university campuses to determine the degree of relevance and suitability of these indicators in different contexts. The results were analyzed using the Friedman non-parametric test, which indicated experts' agreement, in terms of relevance and suitability, in the following 13 indicators: Public transport infrastructure, Quality of pedestrian paths (inside and to access the campus), Parking spaces for users with mobility constraints, Urban public transport, Security within and around the campus, Universal access to buildings, Parking infrastructure, Bike racks and bike shelters, Infrastructure to access the campus, Adequacy of transport modes, Quality of campus roads, Cycling infrastructure, and Road safety campaigns. The final list may be particularly convenient for preliminary assessments or for universities that do not have resources available for wide-ranging evaluations of sustainable mobility.

How sustainable are cultural organizations? A global benchmark

Museums, theaters, and other cultural organizations can be important actors in the sustainability transition, enjoying high visibility and public trust. Yet, we know little about their performance with respect to key sustainability indicators. This study develops a sector-specific sustainability benchmark and applies it in a survey of 206 leading cultural institutions worldwide and 21 semi-structured interviews. The results show that, for the majority of organizations, sustainability did not appear as a management issue until approximately five years ago. Moreover, sustainability commitments do not translate consistently into action. More than half of the organizations obtain poor sustainability scores of below 30 (out of 100) on both the environmental and the social dimension. The presence of a green team and government regulation are associated with higher sustainability scores. Our findings suggest the need for a concerted approach to sustainability in the cultural sector, including a common standard, regular monitoring (for example using this benchmark), and incentivized funding.

Methodological Framework for Sustainable Transport Corridor Modeling Using Petri Nets

Current models for evaluating sustainable transport corridors often lack a comprehensive framework capturing the multifaceted performance measures vital for holistic assessment especially at the early stages of operation, when detailed information on the performance indicators of these transport corridors is not available. This gap motivates a Petri net-based modeling approach that integrates key sustainability indicators into a flexible simulation tool. This paper details a versatile methodology harnessing Petri nets, specifically Evaluation Petri nets (E-Nets), to assess corridor sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The proposed framework equips planners and policymakers to explore diverse green corridor configurations under varying conditions. Case studies showcase the model’s capabilities in analyzing real-world corridors, identifying performance bottlenecks, and comparing alternative solutions. The model provides a practical decision-support tool to strengthen strategies for efficient, socially responsible, and environmentally sound transport infrastructure. This research advances the theoretical foundations and demonstrates the practical value of Petri nets as an enabling methodology for modeling the intricate dynamics of sustainable transport corridors. This paper demonstrates how E-Nets provide a visual and quantitative representation of transport operations, enabling stakeholders to identify inefficiencies and potential improvements. This paper discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the E-Net modeling of transport corridors, the advantages and limitations of its application, and suggests avenues for future research to enhance the model’s predictive power and real-world application. The paper concludes that the E-Net approach is a scalable, adaptable tool that can significantly con-tribute to the sustainable development of international transport corridors, providing a framework for continuous improvement in alignment with global sustainability objectives.

Сравнительная оценка устойчивого развития промышленных предприятий в Арктических территориях Российской Федерации

Introduction. The work updates the situation with the enhanced sustainability of industrial enterprises in the Arctic territories of the Russian Federation since they are characterized with resources’ high potential associated with high environmental risks due to their exploration. Purpose. The paper aims at comparing the key indicators for sustainable development of the leading industrial enterprises in the Russian Federation in terms of their environmental impact. Materials and Methods. The authors reviewed modern studies related to the assessment of industrial development in the Arctic from the standpoint of technology, environmental friendliness, the formation of a data system, which reflect the trends in environmental load on the territory from the activities of industries. The identified trends in the sustainable development of industrial enterprises in the Arctic zone were analyzed and analytically interpreted. Methodologically, the paper synthesizes the methods of retrospective analysis and identifies the trends by analyzing rated key sustainability indicators defined by the data of industrial enterprises. Results. The paper proves the need for an in-depth analysis and detailed analysis of indicators of industrial load on the environment in the Arctic territories. The database for comparing key indicators was compiled, and the key trends in the sustainable development of industrial enterprises were identified. The analysis of their dynamics showed the multidirectionality in the development of industrial enterprises. The trajectories of enterprises’ efforts in achieving sustainability parameters were described: when the growth of expenditures is associated with a decrease in emissions and waste from production activities; when production and environmental indicators show multidirectional dynamics; when the enterprise growth rate decreases, environmental indicators improve. Conclusions. Thus, the authors substantiated the need to develop and implement a mechanism for regulating environmental policy at the state level, which would provide for measures aimed at active and systematic reduction of the environmental load on the environment in the Arctic territories.

Using Machine Learning to analyze ESG performance in Project-driven Sectors

Sustainability in project management is essential as stakeholders not only seek economic efficiency but also eco-friendliness, social effectiveness, and sound governance structure to successfully plan, manage, and implement projects. Therefore, it is important to explore key sustainability indicators that impact complex project dynamics. The aim of this research is to identify trends and characteristics of Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG), and financial performance of project-driven sectors by using machine learning techniques. This research investigates three project-oriented sectors (Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Engineering-Construction, and Service) that directly support United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Then, specific ESG performance and key financial performance of three sectors are analyzed in detail. This study also applies Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) machine learning modeling for analysis, and the Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) algorithm to explain the machine learning algorithm. This research provides stakeholders a roadmap for achieving ESG goals in project management and can help project-driven organizations compare, contrast, and improve their ESG performance for the future.

Women's Empowerment and Sustainable Development: A Quantitative Case Study of Ibesikpo Austan Community, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This quantitative case study examines the role of women in promoting sustainable development in the marginalized Ibesikpo Austan Community of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The community has long faced issues of marginalization and disorientation, presenting obstacles to sustainable development. The study investigates the impact of women's empowerment initiatives on sustainable development outcomes within the community. A sample of 116 respondents was randomly selected, and data was collected through a structured questionnaire and interviews. The study analyzes key sustainable development indicators, including economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it explores the factors influencing women's empowerment and their active participation in sustainable development initiatives. The findings underscore the presence of gender disparities that hinder women's economic productivity and impede sustainable development progress. The study highlights the potential of leveraging traditional women's networks as effective mobilization mechanisms toward desired goals. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the gender dynamics in sustainable development efforts. It gives valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to foster inclusive and sustainable development in marginalized communities. Based on the research findings, recommendations include empowering women through educational training, financial support, and community-based interventions to enhance their socioeconomic status.

Unveiling Sustainability in Ecommerce: GPT-Powered Software for Identifying Sustainable Product Features

In recent years, the concept of sustainability has gained significant attention across various industries. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of the products they purchase, leading to a growing demand for sustainable options. However, identifying sustainable product features can be a complex and time-consuming task. This paper presents a novel approach to address this challenge by utilizing GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) powered software for automatically identifying sustainable product features from product descriptions, titles, and product specifications. The software leverages the power of natural language processing and machine learning to classify products into different sustainability categories. By analyzing the textual information provided, the software can extract key sustainability indicators, such as eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, recyclability, and ethical sourcing. This automated process eliminates the need for manual assessment and streamlines the evaluation of product sustainability. The proposed software not only empowers consumers to make informed and sustainable purchasing decisions but also facilitates businesses in showcasing their environmentally friendly offerings. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the software in identifying sustainable product features. The primary objective of this article is to assess the suitability of the GPT model for the domain of sustainability assessment. By collecting a real-life dataset and employing a specific methodology, four hypotheses are formulated, which will be substantiated through the experimental outcomes. This research contributes to the field of sustainability assessment by combining advanced language models with product classification, paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.

Exploring cultural values of African wetlands for sustainable conservation: Okavango Delta World Heritage Site, Botswana

PurposeThis study applied the Heritage Place Lab (HPL) research-practice teams methodology to identify missing cultural values and/or oversubscribed natural values and assess impacts on sustainable conservation of the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site. The authors found that cultural elements are often overlooked owing to limited inputs from trans-disciplinary and cross-stakeholder perspectives to conservation. This may explain why the majority of African sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger are of “natural” designations, as an absence of cultural values is linked to the exclusion of people and, therefore, gives rise to conflicts of access and use.Design/methodology/approachWorld Heritage Site statistics, published and non-published documents/literature, site maps, site registers, consultancy reports and archival materials were used to assess whether existing as well as potential natural and cultural site values were considered for the contemporary management of the Okavango Delta site in a way that leads to a sustainable conservation approach. The composition of the research-practice team as suggested by the HPL methodology constituted a ready-made diverse team of academics, policy makers and community members that could apply its diverse expertise to fully assess whether all values necessary for a sustainable conservation approach are accounted for.FindingsUsing expertise of trans-disciplinary team populated during the HPL, the authors found that cultural values of the OD-WHS are not highlighted in the OUVs dossier but are significantly expressed on site by locals, leading to potential conflicts of conservation. The research alerts conservationists to embrace an approach that includes all values on the site in order move towards sustainable conservation.Research limitations/implicationsMore research that require funding is needed to cover a wider area of the site, as well as enable work in adjoining countries to compare experiences per country - The Okavango waterbody starts in Angola and go through Namibia, and finally to Botswana.Practical implicationsConservation indicators of African nature world heritage sites constitute of, and border on, diverse stakeholders. An all-encompassing approach such as the Heritage Place Lab (HPL) methodology approach always needs to be factored in.Social implicationsIncluding cultural aspects of world heritage sites designated as ‘natural' is important to allow for socio-cultural inclusion in conservation management. This allows for local communities to become visible and active participants in the management of the site as they contribute their socio-cultural qualities to landscape conservation and management, a process that has potential to enhance sustainable conservation of the Okavango Delta site landscape, as well as other wetlands across the world.Originality/value The adopted approach to values assessment has somehow not conformed to the OUVs emphasis or other dichotomies of the World Heritage criteria but instead assessed on-the-ground management practice against key sustainable conservation indicators. Using the ICCROM HPL trans-disciplinary research-practice team approach, the focus was on a holistic values assessment of the site. The authors found that cultural values are currently under recognised, under-acknowledged and less expressed; creating potential conflicts that may hinder achievement of sustainable conservation and management of the site towards 2030 SDG agenda.

A framework to identify and prioritise the key sustainability indicators: Assessment of heating systems in the built environment

Sustainability indicators (SIs) are important instruments to quantify, analyse, and communicate complex sustainability information, with a history of application in energy research. It is critical to identify an effective set of indicators which can holistically evaluate the energy systems encompassing the three facets of sustainability: environment, economy, and society. However, the literature has been lacking in either proportionally representing the sustainability dimensions or reflecting the stakeholders’ preferences. This paper develops a framework to identify and prioritise a set of SIs, critically reviewed to ensure reflection of a wide array of factors and conceptions of what sustainability entails. The developed framework utilises a series of methods within three phases: identification, refinement, and prioritisation. Applying the proposed framework to building heating technologies, a set of 22 SIs consisting of 4 economic, 8 environmental, and 10 social indicators were identified. According to the results, the economic indicators of Operation & Maintenance Cost and Net Present Value were found to be the most impactful factors, while environmental SIs contribute the most to the overall sustainability weight. The identified indicators apply to the assessment of heating systems and policies, and the proposed framework could more broadly support analysis of key sustainability criteria in various fields.

Exploring dominant factors for ensuring the sustainability of utilizing artificial intelligence in healthcare decision making: An emerging country context

Healthcare decision-making is a complicated aspect that requires collaboration among stakeholders, whilst ensuring its sustainability is essential for addressing the requirements of healthcare facilities. Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare decision-making based on clinical knowledge and data are gaining traction as a way to enhance healthcare delivery by making smart diagnosis and treatment decisions. However, there are indeed a number of factors that require comprehensive inspection to ensure a sustainable AI-based decision making system in the healthcare domain. Therefore, this research explores 15 key sustainability indicators for incorporating AI applications in healthcare decision-making and performs a systematic assessment to prioritize the indicators according to the viewpoints of 35 relevant experts in context of the Bangladeshi health industry. Professional judgements on the level of significance for each indicators have been converted into quantitative data and plotted graphically in terms of their relative importance and divergence of opinions. Furthermore, the indicators have been categorized into three groups using two types of clustering techniques: K-means and agglomerative clustering approaches. According to the findings of the investigation, among the three clusters, one of them consisting of six indicators have considerably greater relative importance values with lesser opinion divergence, and hence are extremely crucial factors for ensuring sustainability. Thus, this research will guide healthcare practitioners with deeper perspective in undertaking appropriate strategies, focusing on the critical indicators for embracing AI-based techniques in developing nations’ healthcare decision-making arena.