In many places, including Iraq, wind energy is a cheap, sustainable resource that is also environmentally benign.Despite its substantial wind potential, Iraq continues to experience an energy deficit due to the underutilization of renewable resources.To close this gap, this study will use a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) technique in a Geographic Information System (GIS) context to determine the best places for wind energy development in Iraq.The assessment considers several geographic elements that affect wind farm placement, such as wind speed, land slope, distance from water bodies, and proximity to power lines and key roadways.A final suitability map that highlighted locations with differing degrees of acceptability for wind energy harvesting was created by integrating these parameters.According to the results, about 31% of the research region is highly favorable to wind farms, 30% is somewhat reasonable, and 39% is unsuitable.The southern and portions of central Iraq were the most promising regions for wind energy development.These results provide a sound scientific foundation for strategic planning and investment in sustainable energy infrastructure by energy planners and decision-makers.The study helps Iraq meet its sustainable development objectives, lessen its dependency on fossil fuels, and lessen its environmental effects.

Liquefaction poses a significant threat to urban areas with water-saturated alluvial soils, especially in seismically active zones like West Jakarta. Using Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data from 25 locations, soil susceptibility was evaluated through Cyclic Stress Ratio (CSR), Cyclic Resistance Ratio (CRR), and Magnitude Scaling Factor (MSF). Areas with safety factor (FS) values below 1 were identified as having high liquefaction potential. Residential buildings were categorized by floor area and assessed using the 2024 Government Property Sales Value (NJOP) to estimate potential financial loss. Structural damage percentages were determined using seismic intensity thresholds and empirical damage functions. Analysis showed that residential areas with moderate to loose soil conditions, particularly in the northern and western zones, are most vulnerable. The total estimated loss reached IDR 189.8 billion, with the highest concentration of damage in medium and large sized residential properties. These findings emphasize the critical need to integrate geotechnical parameters into spatial risk mapping and urban disaster mitigation planning. A digital loss estimation model combining soil characteristics, seismic parameters, and economic valuation provides a scalable approach for early warning systems and resilience-oriented urban planning. The study contributes to data-driven risk management strategies aligned with sustainable development objectives and adaptive infrastructure policies.

Pakistan is particularly susceptible to the negative consequences of climate change, which seriously jeopardize its abundant biodiversity and water security. This narrative review summarizes the most recent research on how changing climate patterns, such as rising temperatures, unpredictable precipitation, and an increase in the frequency of extreme events, are making water scarcity worse and lowering water quality through pollution, salinization, and changed hydrological regimes. The loss of biodiversity in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems is a result of these changes, endangering endemic species as well as vital habitats like the northern glaciers and the Indus Delta. The review critically examines recent national policies (2020–2025), including the Protected Areas Initiative and the Recharge Pakistan initiative, and provides an overview of current management practices. It comes to the conclusion that Pakistan's resilience and sustainable development objectives will be seriously jeopardized in the absence of integrated, cross-sectoral policies that clearly connect biodiversity conservation and water resource management. The article concludes with tactical suggestions for improving institutional capacity, promoting regional cooperation, and improving climate adaptation.

Social entrepreneurship has become a key driver towards dealing with multifaceted social, economic and environmental issues within the developing economies across the world. Social enterprises have dual mission of financial viability and social impact unlike conventional enterprises that take profit maximization as priority. Nevertheless, the difficulty of sustaining such ventures has proven to be a long-term problem because of different contextual realities, lack of institutional backing, and the perception of what defines the success of such ventures. This study explores the multidimensional framework of sustainability in social entrepreneurship by incorporating economic, social and environmental metrics in a holistic evaluation system. Through mixed-method, 120 social enterprises in five developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East were sampled. The quantitative analysis used the Sustainability Performance Index (SPI) based on the financial resilience, stakeholder engagement, and environmental responsibility indicators, and the qualitative analysis was conducted using interviews conducted in a contextual manner. The findings show that social enterprises that demonstrated positive collaboration with communities and flexible business models had better sustainability scores than enterprises that rely on donating funds or their limited innovativeness. Moreover, the institutional ecosystems (support of government policy, accessibility of impact investment, and educational infrastructure) were significant in the determination of long-term viability. This research hypothesizes a Sustainability Measurement Framework (SMF) that is empirically tested to suit developing economies with the focus on capacity building, financial independence, and social inclusivity as the key pillars of survival. The study is valuable to both theory and practice in terms of offering quantifiable indicators to policymakers, investors as well as social entrepreneurs who might wish to balance the objectives of enterprise growth with sustainable development objectives. Finally, the article stresses the fact that the sustainability of social entrepreneurship in the future lies in creating a balance between local innovation and global sustainability models.

Purpose Climate change is likely to recreate a “blue” environment in key areas of Brunei as a consequence of sea level rise and higher rainfall. This paper will present the case for why adopting blue urbanism and economy (BUE) is the logical and most viable strategy for Brunei if it were to achieve its sustainable development objectives. Design/methodology/approach The study employs (1) systems analysis and (2) existing knowledge on Brunei to show why blue urbanism and economy (BUE) is the most appropriate strategy to address climate change. It focuses on critical factors, drawing on lessons learnt from Brunei’s experience with integrated coastal zone management, to examine how the country could benefit from BUE, given the prevailing culture and circumstances, access to regional networks and anticipated environmental changes. Findings Climate change provides opportunity for blue urbanism and economy (BUE) as estuaries and wetlands are expanded and revitalised. However, due to the lack of appropriate supporting structures, a coordinating and enabling agency is critical to successful implementation of BUE. Research institutions play a pivotal role in providing the necessary knowledge support for BUE, including restoring the depleting fishery stock and marine ecosystem. Research limitations/implications The strategy requires adoption of an ecological paradigm, and paradigm shifts are not easily achieved. The paper stresses the importance of involving research institutions to support BUE development. This would require strong political will and funding. Practical implications A BUE will foster the establishment of the necessary institutional structures, partnerships, support services and networks and develops the knowledge base for innovation, advancement and growth, while building climate resilience in the process. Social implications The BUE strategy has significant social implications, turning climate risks into opportunities. It is climate adaption, which builds social and economic resilience. It is also a revitalisation of Brunei's fading heritage when the city of the thalassocracy was built entirely over water and all manner of life were adapted to a semi-aquatic way of life. Originality/value The paper takes a proactive and positive approach to addressing climate change and combines climate study with environmental analysis, systems analysis and historical-heritage study of Brunei to identify a positive, proactive means of climate adaptation that is focussed on urban and economic development to address climate change, achieve sustainable development and conserve heritage.

Purpose The rapid integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in AEC contract management enhances efficiency but raises sustainability and ethical concerns. This study evaluates these technologies to assess their alignment with sustainable development objectives and professional engineering ethics, providing a structured decision-making framework for industry stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was employed, beginning with a comprehensive literature review to identify key I4.0 technologies and establish sustainability criteria aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, alongside ethical principles from major engineering codes (ASCE, NSPE and AIA). A two-stage analytical approach was followed: fuzzy-DEMATEL examined cause-effect relationships among sustainability and ethics criteria, while fuzzy-TOPSIS ranked I4.0 technologies based on these criteria, providing an implementation roadmap. Findings The analysis reveals that economic sustainability exerts the strongest influence, shaping both societal and environmental outcomes, while ethical conduct remains foundational to engineering best practices. Leading technologies (immersive systems (AR/VR), Cloud Computing, RFID and IoT) demonstrate superior performance when evaluated against sustainability and ethics benchmarks. The study further identifies critical trade-offs between operational efficiency and ethical/sustainability compliance, culminating in a strategic implementation framework for I4.0 adoption. Originality/value This study makes three key contributions: (1) it pioneers a dual sustainability-ethics assessment framework for I4.0 in AEC contract management, addressing a literature gap; (2) it introduces a novel hybrid multi-level fuzzy-DEMATEL-TOPSIS model for multi-criteria decision-making and (3) it provides empirically grounded guidelines to mitigate risks such as cybersecurity threats and resource inequity.

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) have become one of the most promising bioelectrochemical technologies for simultaneously addressing energy recovery and environmental remediation. This paper examines the potential of MFCs as a sustainable solution for managing aquatic ecosystems, given their dual benefits of producing renewable energy and inhibiting aquatic pollution. Electroactive microorganisms in MFCs oxidize organic and inorganic wastewater compounds, converting biochemical energy into electrical energy, which, in turn, degrades contaminants. This not only reduces the buildup of harmful pollutants such as nitrates, phosphates, and organic waste but also helps maintain ecological balance in aquatic systems. MFCs incorporated into wastewater treatment facilities, aquaculture, and natural wetlands provide a decentralized, low-carbon approach to improving water quality and energy efficiency. Furthermore, improvements in electrode materials, optimization of microbial communities, and the scalability of systems have contributed to the improved performance and economic feasibility of MFCs. The paper focuses on how MFCs can facilitate achieving sustainable development objectives by linking clean energy generation with pollution reduction. Altogether, Microbial Fuel Cells can be considered a groundbreaking technology for the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems in the future, which will maintain energy resilience, restore the natural environment, and pursue the principles of the circular bioeconomy.

Environmental, social, and governance principles have increasingly shaped contemporary approaches to corporate governance and sustainable development, reflecting heightened demands for ethical conduct, accountability, and long-term value creation. However, the effectiveness of these principles remains contingent upon the quality of public governance and regulatory coherence. This study aims to analyze the role of ethical public governance in supporting the implementation of environmental, social, and governance principles as an instrument for achieving sustainable development objectives. The research employs a normative juridical method, examining statutory frameworks, principles of administrative law, and governance policies related to corporate responsibility and sustainability. The findings demonstrate that the absence of specific and coherent regulatory frameworks, coupled with weaknesses in administrative accountability and ethical governance, significantly undermines the consistency and effectiveness of environmental, social, and governance implementation. The study further finds that corporations with clearly articulated values, strategic vision, and institutional capacity are better positioned to integrate sustainability into long-term governance frameworks, particularly through corporate social responsibility programs. In this context, higher education initiatives emerge as a strategic form of corporate social responsibility, contributing to the development of sustainability-oriented leadership and innovation. The study concludes that ethical public governance constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for aligning corporate governance practices with sustainable development goals, and that strengthened administrative frameworks are essential to ensure durable and meaningful sustainability outcomes.

Fiscal policy is a critical instrument for shaping not only economic trajectories but also social outcomes. This study empirically assesses the comparative impact of public investment and tax revenues on social welfare, proxied by economic growth, in Albania from 2000 to 2023. By dividing the analysis into pre-crisis (2000–2007) and post-crisis (2008–2023) periods, this paper provides evidence-based insights into the shifting effectiveness of fiscal instruments in fostering an economic environment conducive to social development. Using an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression framework with minimalist and lagged models, the study analyzes annual time-series data. A suite of econometric diagnostics, including tests for stationarity (ADF), multicollinearity (VIF), heteroscedasticity (White), autocorrelation (Durbin-Watson), and normality of residuals (Jarque-Bera), ensures the robustness of the findings. The results reveal a structural shift in fiscal policy effectiveness. In the pre-crisis period, public investment, particularly with a one-year lag, was a significant driver of growth, suggesting its role in building foundational infrastructure with broad social benefits. Conversely, in the post-crisis era, tax revenues emerged as a statistically significant growth-enhancing factor, reflecting improved fiscal capacity to fund social programs and ensure stability. The impact of public investment, while still positive, diminished in significance, raising questions about its efficiency and allocation towards socially impactful projects. This research contributes to the social science literature by contextualizing the economic impact of fiscal levers within a broader social welfare framework, offering critical insights for policymakers in transition economies on how to balance growth-oriented policies with objectives of social equity and sustainable development.

ABSTRACT While previous research examines specific COP outcomes or particular time periods, no study has systematically analyzed how institutional complexity relates to negotiation effectiveness across the complete 30‐year COP history using integrated quantitative‐qualitative methods. Accordingly, this study examines the institutional transformation of climate negotiations from COP1 (1995) to COP29 (2024) and its implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). Despite climate finance reaching USD 1.90 trillion in 2023, this research reveals fundamental disconnections between international commitments and implementation outcomes that systematically undermine SDG 13 targets. Through mixed‐methods analysis of three decades of quantitative data and qualitative assessments, this study identifies a profound shift from consensus‐building cooperation to fragmented finance‐centric negotiations. This transformation has created structural barriers to achieving SDG 13.2 (integrating climate measures into national policies), evidenced by fossil fuel subsidies growing to USD 1.10 trillion annually—equivalent to 86% of total climate finance. The empirical analysis demonstrates that increased institutional complexity correlates strongly and negatively with negotiation effectiveness, suggesting that proliferating mechanisms impede rather than facilitate climate action. Most critically, regression analysis reveals that climate vulnerability negatively predicts finance allocation, meaning the most vulnerable countries receive less support per capita—directly contradicting SDG 13.B mandates to support least developed countries and small island developing states. These findings indicate that current climate governance systematically fails to build resilience (SDG 13.1), integrate climate policy coherently (SDG 13.2), or support vulnerable communities equitably (SDG 13.B). COP30 in Belém, Brazil presents a critical opportunity to address these failures through institutional simplification, vulnerability‐based finance reform, and restored cooperative frameworks. This research contributes empirical evidence that simplified governance structures and reformed allocation mechanisms are essential for effective climate action aligned with sustainable development objectives.

Investigating spatial-temporal variations in land use/cover change (LUCC) and habitat quality (HQ) is essential for evaluating ecosystem integrity and advancing sustainable development objectives. The Three-River Source Region (TRSR) has distinctive LUCC characteristics that reveal intricate relationships between land utilization patterns and environmental deterioration. Through an integrated PLUS-InVEST modeling framework, this research assesses historical LUCC and HQ transformations in the TRSR spanning three decades (1990–2020) while forecasting ecological patterns through mid-century projections (2050). Analysis indicates that grasslands dominate the TRSR landscape and constitute the core of its ecosystem. Over the past three decades, grassland, water body, and cropland areas increased by 14,593.43 km², 1,888.67 km², and 319.81 km², respectively, while the proportion of unused land declined from 22.24% to 17.79%. Projections forecast continued expansion of grassland and water body extents, accompanied by further reduction in unused land. Observed spatial shifts and reciprocal transformations among land-cover types underscore dynamic landscape processes. HQ exhibited an overall decline, with 0.67% of the region experiencing deterioration, which exceeded areas of improvement. In the absence of intervention, HQ degradation is projected to intensify, potentially doubling in spatial extent. Notably, HQ fluctuations occurred even in areas without LUCC, although more pronounced changes were detected where significant land-use conversions took place. These findings underscore the complex linkages between LUCC and HQ. Future strategies for the TRSR should prioritize limiting unused land expansion, conserving grasslands, and deepening understanding of regional ecological dynamics, thereby enabling more precise and targeted planning and management of unused land categories. Further elucidation of mechanisms relating land use to HQ will be critical for advancing research and guiding ecological restoration efforts.

This research investigates the integration of English language instruction into Nigerian vocational artisan training programs to enhance communicative competence, professional performance, and economic inclusion among tradespeople. Grounded in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) theory and workplace literacy frameworks, the study employed a mixed-methods research design, combining structured surveys with semi-structured interviews. A total of 63 artisans across five trades—carpentry, tailoring, welding, automotive repair, and electrical installation—participated in the study conducted in Kogi State, Nigeria. Quantitative findings revealed critically low English proficiency levels, with only 12.4% of respondents demonstrating high proficiency in reading technical documents and 10.0% in writing estimates and invoices. Communication-related challenges occurred frequently in workplace contexts, with misunderstanding client requests (M = 3.31) and inability to interpret safety instructions (M = 3.25) emerging as the most prevalent issues. Qualitative data identified specific trade-based English needs, including reading technical manuals, writing job quotations, using digital marketing platforms, and understanding safety regulations. Based on these findings, the study proposes a Trade-Specific English Curriculum (TSEC) framework designed to integrate task-based language instruction with authentic workplace demands through five interconnected components: Needs Analysis, Task-Based Modules, Authentic Materials, Collaborative Learning, and Performance-Based Assessment. The study concludes that language integration within vocational programs represents both a pedagogical and economic imperative, with implications for workforce competitiveness, occupational safety, and formal economic participation. The proposed framework offers a replicable model for vocational education reform aligned with Nigeria’s sustainable development objectives.

This study aims to analyze the impact of the implementation of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) on the quality of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) disclosure in six ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing secondary data from sustainability reports for 2022-2023, analyzed using panel data regression with a fixed effects model. The results indicate that both independent variables have a significant positive partial effect on SDGs disclosure. The SASB variable demonstrated a significant influence with an error rate of 14%, while the GRI variable was significant with a 3.7% error rate. These findings indicate that the adoption of specific sustainability reporting standards SASB with its focus on industry-specific material topics and GRI with its comprehensive framework effectively enhances corporate transparency and accountability in achieving sustainable development objectives. This research provides practical implications for policymakers and regulators in the ASEAN region to promote the harmonization and adoption of standardized reporting frameworks to improve the quality of SDGs disclosure, which can ultimately attract investment, create jobs, and improve societal welfare. The originality of the study lies in its application of the Sustainability Maturity Model theoretical framework and the use of panel data regression analysis to investigate the complex interactions between these variables within the ASEAN context.

Abstract. The establishment of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in Armenia commenced in 2019, marking a pivotal step toward the development of an integrated framework for spatial data management at the national level. Since then, a series of significant actions have been taken to lay the groundwork for this infrastructure, including the adoption of the Integrated Cadastre Concept (2019), the formulation of a strategic program for Integrated Cadastre (2021), and the enactment of the Spatial Data Law (2023), alongside other relevant legal instruments. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these milestones and investigates the technical, legal, and institutional prerequisites for the successful establishment of the NSDI in Armenia. It critically examines the challenges and opportunities inherent in the process, highlighting key factors such as inter-agency collaboration, data standardization, and capacity-building that are essential to its realization. Additionally, the research identifies current limitations, including deficiencies in technical infrastructure, the need for specialized human resources, and the necessity for greater public awareness. Drawing upon the Armenian experience, the study explores the potential for further development of the NSDI, assessing its alignment with broader national objectives of economic development, governance reform, and sustainable development. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers in Armenia and other countries, particularly regarding the facilitation of spatial data exchange, the implementation of regular data updates and standardization protocols, and the creation of effective legal and institutional mechanisms for spatial data management across government sectors.

The global socio-economic inequalities are one of the most burning issues of the twenty-first century, and real-time data indicate the growth of the disparities in income distribution, unequal access to basic welfare, as well as the growing susceptibility to compound shocks, such as pandemics, climate crises, debt disasters, and geopolitical wars. According to recent statistics of international organisations, the progress of poverty reduction remained stagnant in 2019, and indicators of inequality, like the Gini index, have increased over the past years in various regions, demonstrating the weakness of traditional financial governance systems based on stagnant policies, slow data collection, and top-down fiscal responses. The proposed solution to this issue is Adaptive Sustainable Finance and Policy Mesh (ASFiPM) a novel governance architecture combining real time data ingestion, predictive analytics policy design with reinforcement learning and human-in-the-loop control. In contrast to current methodologies, ASFiPM directly optimises distributional results, i.e., headcount reduction of poverty and equity gains, and provides macroeconomic stability through both fiscal protection and sustainable financing tools. The system uses high-frequency streams of data, such as satellite night-lights, mobile money transfer data, price trackers on commodities, debt-service ratio, and rolling household surveys, to constantly approximate the state of the socio-economic status. These estimates are then input into an adaptive policy engine that then dynamically compiles specific interventions such as conditional transfers, temporary tax waivers, resilience bond-related bonds and countercyclical fiscal bailouts and provides transparency through blockchain-based audit logs and public dashboards. The results of simulation experiments conducted across a wide range of different economies confirm that ASFiPM can achieve a substantial decrease in exposure to poverty and comparable positive changes in the Gini index,, even in financially limited settings. It is more responsive and equitable than traditional policy models. Finally, the framework outlines a scalable, transparent, responsive, and inclusive channel through which global socio-economic inequalities can be mitigated, providing policymakers with a repeatable template to achieve sustainable development objectives while developing resilience in a more uncertain global economy.

Understanding the multidimensional sources and key drivers of differences in green transition performance (GTP) among resource-based cities is vital for accomplishing national sustainable development objectives and facilitating regional coordination. This study proposes a “Carbon Reduction–Pollution Control–Greening–Growth” evaluation framework and utilizes the entropy method to assess the GTP of China’s resource-based cities from 2013 to 2022. The Dagum Gini coefficient and variance decomposition methods are employed to investigate the GTP differences, and the Optimal Parameters-Based Geographical Detector and the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression model are applied to identify the driving factors. The results indicate the following trends: (1) GTP exhibits a fluctuating upward trend, accompanied by pronounced regional imbalances. A pattern of “club convergence” is observed, with cities showing a tendency to shift positively toward adjacent types. (2) Spatial differences in GTP have widened over time, with transvariation density emerging as the dominant contributor. (3) Greening differences represent the primary structural source, with an average annual contribution exceeding 60%. (4) The impact of digital economy, the level of financial development, the degree of openness, industrial structure, and urbanization level on GTP differences declines sequentially. These factors exhibit notable spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and their interactions display nonlinear enhancement effects.

Understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of industrial carbon emission efficiency (ICEE), identifying its key determinants, and developing targeted countermeasures are crucial for improving ICEE and achieving sustainable development and dual-carbon objectives. This study aims to evaluate the ICEE of 285 Chinese cities from 2000 to 2021, exploring its dynamic patterns and key driving factors. We employ a super Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) with nonexpected outputs to calculate ICEE, and utilize the Malmquist Index to decompose dynamic changes into efficiency and technical components. A spatially constrained multivariate clustering analysis is applied to classify cities into six clusters, followed by GeoSHAP (Geospatial Shapley Additive Explanations) to assess the influence of various factors on ICEE. The main findings indicate that: (1) ICEE generally increased over time, with declines and notable fluctuations around 2008 and 2012, mainly driven by technical changes; (2) ICEE displays clear geospatial clustering, with pronounced high- and low-efficiency regions; (3) high-efficiency regions driven by science, technology, and innovation should maintain efficient economic development, whereas low-efficiency regions need to improve energy use efficiency and promote clean energy adoption. These results provide practical guidance for reducing industrial carbon emissions in China and support the effective implementation of national dual-carbon strategies.

Purpose: This study examines the influence of financial inclusion and remittance inflows on human development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology: It employs secondary data from the World Development Indicators (WDI) for the years 2003–2024. The study implements Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Random Effects Model, and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) as estimation techniques to ensure robustness and address potential endogeneity and dynamic relationships among the variables. It also adopts a quantitative research approach. Financial inclusion and remittances are the primary explanatory variables, while the Human Development Index (HDI) is used to measure human development. GDP, education, and inflation are included as control variables. Findings: The results indicate that financial inclusion and remittance inflows have substantial positive impacts on human development throughout the region. These findings indicate that the inflow of diaspora funds and the increased access to formal financial services make a substantial contribution to the enhancement of education, health, and living standards. Additionally, the dynamic GMM estimates verify that these effects are enduring. Nevertheless, inflation has a detrimental impact on human development, underscoring the necessity of macroeconomic stability in order to maintain development progress. The study concludes that financial inclusion and remittances are critical factors in the advancement of human development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It suggests that policymakers should enhance regulatory frameworks, reduce remittance costs, and promote financial literacy in order to expand inclusive finance. Furthermore, the positive developmental effects of financial flows in the region will be further bolstered by endeavours to maintain price stability and improve institutional quality. The research offers essential insights for the implementation of sustainable development objectives in Africa and the formulation of inclusive growth strategies.

As regional integration accelerates globally, green development has emerged as a pivotal imperative for reconciling economic growth with environmental sustainability. This study employs a Difference-in-Differences framework incorporating city and year fixed effects to examine the impact of regional integration on green development efficiency in China’s Yangtze River Delta. The empirical findings reveal that regional integration significantly undermines green development efficiency, a conclusion corroborated by rigorous robustness checks including parallel trends and placebo tests. Mechanism analysis demonstrates that trade openness and digital economy development function as partial mediating channels that modestly attenuate the direct adverse effect of regional integration, whereas the decline in secondary industry agglomeration amplifies the negative impact. Notably, innovation capability has yet to fully unlock its potential for green transformation, it intensifies the negative effects of regional integration across all three mediating mechanisms. Building on these findings, this study proposes policy recommendations including strengthening multi-level green governance frameworks, integrating ecological compensation and carbon trading systems, advancing low-carbon trade structures, promoting the synergistic development of digitalization and green transformation, facilitating the green transition of secondary industries, and reinforcing green technology innovation. These insights provide empirical evidence and policy references for achieving coherence between regional integration and sustainable development objectives.

The study assesses the energy and environmental impacts of transitioning from road to rail passenger transportation in Tanzania, with a focus on the Dar es Salaam–Dodoma corridor, which is served by the newly implemented Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) electric train. Tanzania's heavy reliance on diesel-powered road transport contributes to high fuel consumption and significant greenhouse gas emissions. This research evaluates the SGR as a sustainable alternative, powered primarily by hydropower. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected and analysed data from the Tanzania Railway Corporation, transport authorities, and utility providers to compare energy consumption and emissions between the SGR electric trains and conventional diesel buses operating on the same route. Findings reveal that the SGR transports 4,231 passengers daily across five train services, equivalent to 89 conventional buses. Electric trains consume approximately 9,065.21 kWh daily, while buses require 160,378.00 kWh to transport the same passenger volume, representing a daily energy saving equivalent to 14,275 diesel litres. Environmentally, SGR operations generate only 2.982 tCO₂e per day, compared to 40.548 tCO₂e from buses, resulting in a substantial daily reduction of 37.566 tCO₂e in emissions. The analysis demonstrates that electric rail transport consumes 4.15–4.74 kWh per kilometre and 1.92–2.85 kWh per passenger, which is significantly lower than buses, at 54.06–94.61 kWh/km and 36.99–38.27 kWh/passenger. Similarly, emissions per passenger-kilometre are markedly lower for rail transport across all metrics. These results confirm that transitioning from road to electric rail passenger transport offers substantial energy efficiency gains and environmental benefits, supporting Tanzania's sustainable development objectives and climate commitments. The study provides empirical evidence for policymakers to prioritise rail infrastructure expansion, reducing the transport sector's carbon footprint while meeting growing mobility demands in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.