Sustainable Development Objectives Research Articles

Design of a sustainable system for wastewater treatment and generation of biofuels based on the biomass of the aquatic plant Eichhornia Crassipes

Colombia’s continuous contamination of water resources and the low alternatives to produce biofuels have affected the fulfillment of the objectives of sustainable development, deteriorating the environment and affecting the economic productivity of this country. Due to this reality, projects on environmental and economic sustainability, phytoremediation, and the production of biofuels such as ethanol and hydrogen were combined. The objective of this article was to design and develop a sustainable system for wastewater treatment and the generation of biofuels based on the biomass of the aquatic plant Eichhornia crassipes. A system that simulates an artificial wetland with live E. crassipes plants was designed and developed, removing organic matter contaminants; subsequently, and continuing the sustainability project, bioreactors were designed, adapted, and started up to produce bioethanol and biohydrogen with the hydrolyzed biomass used in the phytoremediation process, generating around 12 g/L of bioethanol and around 81 ml H2/g. The proposed research strategy suggests combining two sustainable methods, bioremediation and biofuel production, to preserve the natural beauty of water systems and their surroundings.

Redox-neutral electrochemical decontamination of hypersaline wastewater with high technology readiness level.

Industrial hypersaline wastewaters contain diverse pollutants that harm the environment. Recovering clean water, alkali and acid from these wastewaters can promote circular economy and environmental protection. However, current electrochemical and advanced oxidation processes, which rely on hydroxyl radicals to degrade organic compounds, are inefficient and energy intensive. Here we report a flow-through redox-neutral electrochemical reactor (FRER) that effectively removes organic contaminants from hypersaline wastewaters via the chlorination-dehalogenation-hydroxylation route involving radical-radical cross-coupling. Bench-scale experiments demonstrate that the FRER achieves over 75% removal of total organic carbon across various compounds, and it maintains decontamination performance for over 360 h and continuously treats real hypersaline wastewaters for two months without corrosion. Integrating the FRER with electrodialysis reduces operating costs by 63.3% and CO2 emissions by 82.6% when compared with traditional multi-effect evaporation-crystallization techniques, placing our system at technology readiness levels of 7-8. The desalinated water, high-purity NaOH (>95%) and acid produced offset industrial production activities and thus support global sustainable development objectives.

Energy-efficient growth for sustainability: an empirical analysis of its determinants in industries

Purpose In the process of industrial growth, when existing industries go for technology upgradation and new modernised industries emerge, both capital intensity and energy demand of overall industry tend to rise steadily. This poses a serious challenge for sustainable development objectives. Towards this end, enhancing energy efficiency of individual industries is the only remedy. Against this backdrop, the study aims to probe the trends in capital intensities and energy efficiencies of individual industries in India. Design/methodology/approach This study uses panel data regression analysis on data of two-digit industries from 1980/1981–2016/2017. The statistical analysis includes relevant macroeconomic variables derived from the literature to ascertain the drivers of energy efficiency in industries. Findings The results brought out that capital deepening due to technology upgradation and modernisation and capital productivity growth are the decisive determinants of energy efficiency growth. Furthermore, the ever-increasing fuel price motivated industries to conserve energy on a steady basis, supplemented by energy conservation-specific policy interventions. Research limitations/implications This study recommends policy initiatives to ascertain and address technology gaps industry-wise, so that its subsequent efficient capital utilisation, and energy conservation measures of industries would result in energy efficiency growth in industry. The policy must focus on energy-efficient capital intensification in fabricated metals, leather, textile and wood industries that are found less-energy-efficient despite being less-capital-intensive. Originality/value This study empirically explores the capital efficiency of industries by investigating the interaction between capital intensity and energy efficiency at a two-digit industry level. It explores the determinants of energy efficiency and proposes industry-specific policies for energy-efficiency-enhancement of the overall industry.

How natural resource, renewable energy, and energy productivity integrate with environmental quality under the load capacity curve in OECD nations

Previous research highlights the impact of renewable energy (REN) sources and natural resources (NRP) on environmental sustainability, but it leaves out the possible consequences of energy production (EP). Additionally, clean environment is addressed by Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 12. This study evaluates the outcomes of meeting the OECD's carbon zero targets by 2050 as well as the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties' 2030 carbon neutrality target. Therefore, evaluating how these factors affect the load capacity factor (LCF) may have pertinent ramifications for the government's pursuit of sustainable development objectives. Therefore, the effects of REN, NRP, and energy efficiency on LCF were examined for Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The method of momentum quantile regression (MMQR) is applied during the period of 1990-2022. The results show that REN is increasing LCF by 0.157% to 0.161% in four quantiles and NRP is also contributing to environmental quality by 0.385% to 0.233% in 25th to 90th quantiles. EP is lowering LCF by 0.091% to 0.073% in the long run. The paper provides policy implications for a cleaner environment in OECD nations.

International Laws and their Implications for Sustainable Growth

This paper sheds light on how international laws embrace global sustainability goals. Sustainable development has become a focal point in numerous international treaties and conventions, featuring in over 300 agreements, both binding and non-binding. It's widely acknowledged that environmental laws, intertwined with social and economic factors, lay the groundwork for sustainable development objectives, potentially guiding judicial decisions. There's evidence suggesting that international judicial bodies have considered sustainability considerations in their rulings. Furthermore, the paper delves into strategies for tailoring these objectives to fit regional and local contexts, drawing insights from the practices of neighboring countries. This approach seeks to deepen our understanding of how to effectively integrate sustainability goals across various levels of governance.

Waste Management System: A Case Study of Waste Bank Management Toward a Circular Economy in Maros Regency

Waste management has been in the spotlight recently due to the annual escalating volume of waste generated. The concept of a circular economy has emerged as a viable economic framework that aligns with sustainable development objectives, particularly those concerning responsible consumption and production practices to support local economies. This article seeks to assess the efficacy of waste bank management in fostering the development of an efficient municipal waste management system conducive to a circular economy with a robust waste recycling infrastructure. This study employed a descriptive qualitative interpretative approach underpinned by a phenomenological framework. Data were gathered from diverse reputable sources such as journals, books, and other relevant references, which the author subsequently analyzed. The findings indicate that waste management in Maros Regency has been operating optimally, driven by stakeholder involvement in promoting waste disposal practices within the community. Establishing the Turikale Main waste bank is a testament to the success of transitioning waste management towards a circular economy model. This initiative facilitates waste recycling and empowers the local economy, generating substantial monthly revenue independently. The significance of this research lies in its capacity to offer valuable insights and recommendations for researchers seeking to evaluate and formulate waste management strategies anchored in the concept of waste banks, which can be replicated in other regions.

Examining the Concept of Water Footprint in the Context of Responsible Consumption and Production

The importance of water and water scarcity have become critical with issues such as climate change and global warming, which are important in the sustainability of human and environmental life. Therefore, the water footprint, which indicates the quantity of water utilised and the extent of pollution, has become a responsibility for governments, businesses, producers and consumers. Water footprint can result from irresponsible production and consumption. Responsible consumption and production are key objectives of sustainable development. Through responsible consumption and production, production and consumption patterns based on sustainability are adopted, considering both current and future generations. Thus, with responsible consumption and production, natural resources can be used efficiently and fairly, consumption can be more conscious, waste and wastage can be prevented, and a fair, poverty and hunger-free and decent quality of life can be created for all segments of society. Water footprint has also been one of the key issues addressed in responsible consumption and production. Water footprint should be reduced for responsible consumption and production. In this study, the concept of water footprint is discussed within the context of responsible consumption and production, reflecting the 12th goal of sustainable development. It is recommended in the study that businesses should focus on production methods and products that will reduce their water footprint with a responsible production approach, and include labels related to water footprint on product packaging. It is among the recommendations to conduct research that measures the water footprint of businesses and consumers and the effectiveness of marketing communications related to water footprint.

How does governance quality affect the shadow economy-sustainable development nexus? New insights from a dynamic threshold analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the shadow economy on three sustainable development indicators while considering the moderating effect of the governance quality, and to highlight the non-linearity of the considered relationship.Design/methodology/approach A sample of 82 countries covering the period from 1996 to 2017. The dynamic first-differenced generalized method of moments (FD-GMM) panel threshold model is implemented to control for non-linearity.Findings The shadow economy hinders sustainable development in countries with low-governance quality, while the opposite result holds in countries with high-governance quality. The critical thresholds triggering the switch from one regime to another vary across the sustainable development indicators. Boosting growth requires enhancing the legal system and the economic dimension of governance, while promoting environmental quality requires the implementation and enforcement of specific environment-friendly regulations.Originality/value The study addresses non-linearity and the moderating effect of governance quality. The use of six governance indicators allows to gauge the ability of each governance dimension to curb the negative effects of the shadow economy. Considering the three objectives of sustainable development allows to identify specific policy recommendations for each of them.

2D Semiconductor Nanostructures for Solar‐Driven Photocatalysis: Unveiling Challenges and Prospects in Air Purification, Sustainable Energy Harvesting, and Water Treatment

AbstractThe use of solar light to accelerate chemical processes (photocatalysis) has the potential to alleviate the pollution and energy crises. Thanks to their large surface area, unusual electronic structure, and abundance of low‐coordinate surface atoms, 2D semiconductors have shown enormous promise in photocatalytic applications. The synthesis, photoexcitation processes, design, and development of 2D semiconductor photocatalysts are thoroughly examined in this perspective, as well as their possible applications in air purification, solar energy conversion, organic synthesis, carbon capture and storage, and water treatment. This work highlights ongoing research efforts focused on improving the selectivity and efficiency of photocatalytic applications based on 2D semiconductors by means of hybrid systems, heterostructures, doping, and computational methodologies, together with open challenges. Finally, the integration of 2D semiconductor photocatalysts into indoor and outdoor environments is discussed, thereby facilitating the purification of air and water and generating clean energy, which assists in the pursuit of sustainable development objectives.

THE INFLUENCE OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE SERVICE SECTOR TO DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY

The authors have carried out a research paper to investigate how the digital transformation of the service sector leads to sustainability and improves the implementation and achievement of sustainable development objectives, but also to expose the challenges and opportunities through systematic research of the existing specialized literature. We live in an era of digitization, the future is certainly a digital one and the latest generation technologies have unimaginable capabilities to create infinite opportunities for sustainable development in absolutely any field or corner of the world. Digitization makes this dream of a sustainably developed world in which all 17 sustainable development objectives are fully achieved, become reality in the near future. Following the research, we concluded that the successful achievement of sustainable development objectives is represented by the power of motivation of the private sector and citizens to participate actively, but also their connection with the government by introducing a legislative framework to measure the involvement of each of the participants in order to create another framework based on bonuses by reducing taxes and other personalized benefits, and this can only be achieved through digitalization and the latest generation technologies, which definitely represent the path to a sustainably developed world of the future, the legacy of today s society for future generations. The results of this research make an important contribution to the field of study and complement the existing specialized literature.

Reducing the cost of capital through international climate finance to accelerate the renewable energy transition in developing countries

Despite a vast potential, the accessibility of low cost finance remains a critical barrier to the deployment of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) in many developing countries. High financing costs threaten the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and impede progress in the energy transition. This study aims to assess the extent to which international climate finance could help reduce the cost of capital for VRE investments and accelerate the renewable energy transition in developing countries. We employ the IMACLIM-R multi-regional Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) to examine various climate finance scenarios, factoring in the interaction between public and private capital through a dedicated model for the average cost of capital (CoC). The results show that international climate finance can significantly enhance the adoption of renewable energy in regions that receive this support. For instance, Africa could achieve +43% electricity generation from VRE by 2030 in a scenario with deep risk sharing and mitigation for VRE investments, compared to a no-policy scenario. Our study demonstrates that reducing the financing costs of VRE investment through international climate finance encourages clean and affordable energy development. However it must be complemented by other policies to achieve more ambitious climate and sustainable development objectives.

STRATEGIC CONTROLLING TOOLS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UKRAINIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES

The subject of the study is the system of strategic control in an organisation, which is necessary for agri-food companies in the context of implementing the principles of sustainable development. Methodology. The following economic research methods were used in the study: monographic method (when studying scientific sources and reviewing thematic literature; studying the directions of sustainable development of business entities in the agri-food sector of Ukraine); scientific abstraction and generalisation (when studying various methodological approaches to determining the content of controlling); abstract and logical method (when determining the role and place of strategic controlling in the management system of agri-food companies, formulating conclusions based on the results of the study); methods of analysis and synthesis (when substantiating a set of tools for strategic controlling by elements of its system). The aim of the study is to supplement the methodological framework of the strategic controlling system for managing companies in the agri-food sector. Results. Controlling is an important management function, and its effectiveness determines the success of an organisation in achieving its goals and objectives. In modern conditions, strategic controlling can be combined with two main approaches – as a management philosophy and as a management function and mechanism. The system of strategic controlling is determined by a set of complex factors of the external and internal environment that determine the possibility of achieving the long-term goals and objectives. The implementation of sustainable development goals and objectives by agri-food companies creates new requirements for the strategic controlling system, the main of which are transparency, flexibility, inclusiveness, openness and efficiency. In order to successfully achieve the planned targets of sustainable development, the strategic controlling system should use a set of tools that is determined by the nature and effect of the relevant elements. It is proposed to use benchmarking, ABC-analysis, SWOT-analysis, PESTEL-analysis, methods of expert evaluation, CVP-analysis, financial analysis, network graphs and methods of expert forecasting as the main tools for strategic controlling of agri-food companies.

Artificial intelligence and sustainable development during the pandemic: An overview of the scientific debates

The current work aims to analyze the main themes related to artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable development during the pandemic period. This study provides an overview of the specialized literature related to AI and sustainability from the beginning of the pandemic through 2023. The present paper analyses scientific literature emphasizing both artificial intelligence's positive and negative impacts on sustainable development objectives (SDGs). To conduct the research, we employed bibliometric analysis and text-mining techniques to identify the major themes in the literature indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Firstly, we used descriptive measures to identify the authors' impact, the article production by country, the main keywords used, and other descriptive data. We further used data reduction methods based on co-word analysis (such as multiple correspondence analysis) on authors' keywords to show patterns in the themes explored in the literature. Bibliometric analysis was supplemented by text mining using Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) and structural topic modeling on abstracts to provide a comprehensive view of scientific debates on AI and sustainable development. Our research has identified various themes in the literature related to AI and sustainable development. These themes include social sustainability, health-related issues, AI technologies for energy efficiency, sustainability in industry and innovation, IoT technologies for smart and sustainable cities, urban planning, technologies for education and knowledge production, and the impact of technologies on SDGs. We also found that there is a significant positivity bias in the literature when discussing the impact of AI on sustainable development. Despite acknowledging certain risks, the literature tends to focus on the potential benefits of AI across various sectors. In addition, the analysis shows a growing emphasis on energy efficiency, which is facilitated by the use of AI technologies. Our study contributes to a better understanding of current scholarly discussion trends and emerging scientific avenues regarding AI and sustainable development. It also highlights the areas where research is needed and the implications for practitioners and policymakers.

Development and characterization study of bagasse with stubble reinforced polyester hybrid composite

In the present day, recycling and reducing environmental pollution are the primary objectives of sustainable development. A lot of experts are considering the possibility of creating a new composite technology with waste materials. This work aims to investigate the effects of waste material on mechanical and hydrophobic properties, with a particular focus on bagasse fiber with stubble. The tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness properties of bagasse with stubble polyester composite were investigated to see if it may be used as a novel material in various engineering applications for a longer life. To improve the impact resistance of the composite, bagasse fibers is mixed in different ratios with polyester and stubble as infill. Additionally, a very tiny amount of TiO2 was added to every sample. Tensile, flexural, and impact mechanical properties were assessed using the Universal Testing Machine, the Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine, and the Izod Impact Test. Samples were hand-set out using varying weight ratios of binder, filler, and fiber. The study's findings demonstrated that the sample with a higher percentage of bagasse fiber demonstrated better mechanical and hydrophobic qualities as compared to the neat and other samples. It is an economical, long-lasting, and environmentally responsible option for a variety of applications.

Criteria that Characterize Diplomacy at the International Level in the Matter of Environmental Protection

The current stage of international environmental diplomacy knows a constant increase in the performance of institutions and organizations, concerned with controlling the impact produced by negative human activity on the environment. The concept of globalization is the key factor, which brings with it a series of major changes in political and economic terms but also in international relations as a process, moreover challenges in international diplomacy as an essential element, in the development of international disputes with the objective of sustainable development of the environment.

Investigating Fiber Reinforcement Solutions for Environmentally Sustainable and Technologically

Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) marks a significant change in construction technology, providing a way to create more long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and creative building materials. This study explores the many benefits, difficulties, and potential opportunities of FRC, emphasizing its importance in improving building methods. FRC is a composite material that combines various fibers including steel, glass, synthetic, and natural fibers with concrete to increase structural stability by increasing tensile strength, fracture resistance, and impact resilience. Sustainable FRC emphasizes the use of recycled or natural fibers to reduce environmental implications, encourage waste reduction, and conserve resources. Exploring recyclable resources like steel fibers from scrap steel or used tires offers a sustainable option to typical reinforcing materials. This method not only reuses trash but also reduces the carbon footprint linked to new steel production, aiding in achieving sustainable development objectives. The use of natural fibers like as jute, sisal, bamboo, and flax in FRC provides biodegradable, renewable, and low-carbon-footprint alternatives, improving the eco-friendliness of building materials. Although FRC has promise benefits, certain obstacles hinder its broad use. It is crucial to evenly distribute fibers in the concrete mix to provide the appropriate mechanical qualities, requiring improved mixing procedures for consistent dispersion. Moreover, the resilience of natural fibers in the alkaline concrete setting is a notable obstacle, leading to investigations on surface treatments to improve fiber compatibility and lifespan. In the future, combining smart technology with FRC is set to transform the building sector. Advancements like self-healing concrete, conductive fibers, and shape memory alloys provide materials that can repair themselves, monitor structural health in real-time, and enhance mechanical performance. The progress highlights the capability of FRC to enhance sustainability and efficiency in building while incorporating intelligent features to prolong the lifespan and dependability of structures. This study thoroughly examines the environmental advantages, mechanical improvements, problems, and future prospects of FRC. Ongoing research and development are being used to address obstacles in integrating FRC into construction practices, which shows promise in creating more resilient, sustainable, and innovative building solutions. This marks a significant advancement in the search for advanced construction materials.

Application of Corn Straw, an Agro-Waste, to Remove Dyes in an Aqueous Medium, Producing Blue or Red Fibers

The contaminant dyes that, even at low concentrations, may cause a series of adverse effects in humans and animals, and their removal by adsorption methods using alternative adsorbents as natural fibers, are regarded as a research topic that has become increasingly relevant. In this study, corn straw (CS), an agro-industrial residue, was used to remove dyes. The samples were characterized by ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, zeta potential, diffuse spectra, and colorimetry, before and after dye removal. The analyses allowed us to differentiate the morphology of CS after the treatment’s fiber on the adsorbent surface. The zeta potential showed a negative surface charge, but the acidic or alkaline treatment affected the surface charge of the sample, influencing the adsorption of cationic or anionic dyes. Adsorption data presented an increased removal when alkaline treatment was applied for the methylene blue (MB; qmax = 16.7 mg g−1), and the acid treatment was more effective for the Congo red (CR; qmax = 2.13 mg g−1). After color stability tests, it was observed that the anionic dye CR was more easily desorbed due to the surface charge of the adsorbent. Due to the chemical treatment, corn straw proved to be a good sustainable adsorbent for removing anionic or cationic dyes from aqueous media, contributing directly to the objective of sustainable development (#6—drinking water and sanitation) and with SDG numbers 3, 11, 12, 14, and 17.

Research on the coordinated development and convergence characteristics of China’s urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity

The coordinated development of urban competitiveness (UC) and green total factor productivity (GTFP) is paramount for achieving global sustainable development objectives, especially for regional sustainability in China. This study utilizes panel data from 2011 to 2019 encompassing 273 Chinese cities to evaluate the urban competitiveness index employing the projection pursuit method. The research categorizes Chinese cities into four regions—East, Central, West, and Northeast—for comparative analysis purposes. The findings unveil: (1) a discernible rise in both overall and regional coordination between urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity in China; (2) throughout the study period, except for fluctuations observed in Northeastern China, coordination in other regions sustained relative stability, manifesting a trend of divergence-convergence; (3) the coordination between urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity across all regions demonstrated β-convergence, with Central China exhibiting the swiftest convergence and Northeastern China the slowest; (4) taking into account factors such as government intervention, industrial structure, and human capital, there is a likelihood that the growth rate of coordination between urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity in diverse regions will converge towards a synergistic trend. Therefore, as Chinese cities strive to enhance competitiveness and green total factor productivity, governmental attention should be directed towards discerning the developmental trends and influencing factors affecting their coordination. Such an approach will facilitate the realization of regional sustainable development objectives while propelling the synchronized advancement of urban competitiveness and green total factor productivity.

Envisioning sustainable sanitation planning: a unified approach of diffusion of innovation and theory of planned behavior in predicting ecosan toilet adoption in Arba Minch City, Ethiopia

This study explores the adoption of ecological sanitation (ecosan) toilets in Arba Minch City, Ethiopia, using an integrated approach combining the diffusion of innovation (DOI) model and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The research aims to understand the complex associations between DOI variables (relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, trialability, and observability) and TPB constructs (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) in predicting residents’ behavioral attitudes and intentions. Applying Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and bootstrapping techniques, the study investigates direct and indirect effects, offering a comprehensive analysis of the adoption process. The objectives include examining the influence of TPB and DOI constructs on residents’ intentions, unraveling direct and indirect effects on these intentions, and investigating variations among users of different toilet types in the city. The result of the study shows that attitude and perceived behavioral control are central to shaping intentions, aligning with TPB principles. Contextual factors like compatibility, relative advantage, and trayability reveal nuanced insights, deviating from conventional patterns. The study identifies attitude as a key moderator between DOI constructs and behavioral intention, enriching our understanding of the adoption process. In conclusion, the integrated DOI and TPB model provides nuanced perspectives on factors influencing behavioral attitudes and intentions toward ecosan toilet adoption. The crucial roles of perceived behavioral control and attitude underscore the importance of tailored interventions. The study’s insights are relevant for policymakers, practitioners, and development organizations working on sustainable sanitation practices in urban areas, contributing to broader sustainable development objectives.

Assessing the effects of extreme climate risk on urban ecological resilience in China.

The frequent occurrence of extreme weather events has imparted significant pressure on urban ecosystem management. Evaluating the relationship between extreme climate risk (ECR) and urban ecological resilience (UER) is a key issue in achieving the green and sustainable development objectives of cities. This study measures UER in China from 2005 to 2020 using the entropy weight method-TOPSIS method, investigates the relationship between ECR and UER using the dynamic GMM model, and further explores the influencing mechanism. The results suggest that ECR has an inhibiting influence on UER. Additionally, the moderating mechanism investigation demonstrates that environmental regulation can mitigate the threat of ECR to UER to a certain extent, and with the regulation effect based on the government's environmental concern being better than that of the market pollution fee payment. The group test outcomes demonstrate that the discrepancies in regions and marketization lead to certain differences in the relationship between ECR and UER. Additional investigation indicates that ECR has an asymmetric relationship with UER at distinct quantiles. Our findings reflect the subtle associations between ECR and UER as a whole, and will help relevant organizations in formulating more precise and scientific policies to enhance urban ecological resilience.