Sustainable Development Objectives Research Articles

Culture of Poverty and Sustainable Development: Case of Machar Colony in Karachi

This paper analyzes the intrinsic relation between two key indicators of development; sustainability and poverty. It specifically focuses on culture of poverty and sustainable development. Sustainable development envisions a balanced growth of human societies, meeting the current needs without compromising the required natural resources for future generations. The idea of culture of poverty is put forward in social theory, and the idea revolves around ideals of people experiencing poverty and how it may play an important role in preserving their disadvantaged situation, thus maintaining a cycle of poverty across generations. They may be resistant to considering sustainable choices while taking advantage of economic opportunities. So, the question posed is whether the culture of poverty acts as a hindrance or a facilitator for sustainable development. Given that culture forms an intrinsic part of sustainable development principles, this paper reviews the case of a marginalized low-income community in Karachi, exploring the everyday choices they make within the culture of poverty and the interface they have with the larger framework of sustainable development. Case study methodology has been employed, with qualitative interviews, observation and mapping used as research tools. The results of the research reveal a sense of disempowerment that residents of Machar Colony face, leading them to focus on short-term survival rather than long-term sustainable development objectives. The prevalent culture of poverty impedes progress and development, failing to pave the path for sustainable livelihood.

Integrating Quality and Sustainability: Exploring the Dynamics of Internal Quality Assurance Systems and Sustainable Development Goals in Vietnamese Higher Education

This study explored the integration of internal quality assurance (IQA) systems with sustainable development goals within the Vietnamese academic context, aiming to elucidate the perceptions, experiences, and challenges faced by lecturers. Employing a qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 university lecturers, and the data was interpreted through Constructivist Epistemology (CE) and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings underscored the profound influence of collaborative dialogues, leadership dynamics, experiential learning opportunities, and cultural nuances on the melding of IQA processes with sustainability initiatives. Participants highlighted the tension between the prescriptive nature of IQA and the adaptive essence of sustainable development, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. Furthermore, the role of leadership in shaping institutional narratives emerged as a pivotal factor, with a clear vision and commitment facilitating seamless integration. Cultural factors, unique to the Vietnamese context, either propelled or hindered this fusion, revealing the deep interplay between cultural values and academic practices. The study concluded that while challenges persist, the merging of IQA with sustainable development objectives offers promising avenues for fostering holistic education, grounded in both quality and sustainability. The findings have implications for academic institutions, policymakers, and educators striving to align quality assurance mechanisms with evolving global sustainability objectives.

Unboxing the blackbox of human-centric and inclusive smart city initiatives: a theory based evaluation framework

ABSTRACT The concept of smart cities has evolved from a technology and data-driven approach to a more human-centred and inclusive model. This paper explores the shift in smart city development towards a focus on human-centric and inclusive solutions while suggesting a novel evaluation framework for these smart city initiatives. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study identifies key challenges in evaluating smart city initiatives including the lack of standardized evaluation frameworks, limited focus on social and environmental outcomes, and the need for citizen participation. To address these challenges, the paper proposes a theoretical framework grounded in a realist evaluation approach. This framework incorporates a Theory of Change (ToC) that outlines the causal pathways and contextual factors underlying smart city initiatives. The proposed framework is designed to guide the evaluation of smart city initiatives by providing specific evaluation criteria and sub-criteria that are aligned with the objectives of inclusive and sustainable urban development. By highlighting the importance of human-centric and inclusive approaches and providing a practical evaluation framework, the paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on smart cities and their evaluation.

A new approach for synthesis of bismuth oxide derived photocatalyst for degradation of para nitrophenol

More focus has recently been placed on achieving the sustainable development objectives by 2030. As water is important and ha many purposes, it is important to have clean water. The inefficiency of different water treatment techniques restricts their widespread implementation. Furthermore, some of the procedures readily create secondary pollutants. As a result, it is critical to develop an effective and ecologically beneficial method of converting organic contaminants into non-toxic and harmless chemicals. A modified hydrothermal synthesis method was utilised for successfully producing Bi2O3 nanoparticles in this research. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-Ray were used to characterise and to find the structural, optical, morphological, and compositional aspects of the formed nanoparticles. Moreover, the formed particles were used to degrade the noxious Para-nitrophenol (PNP). PNP deterioration was performed under 3 different conditions: under halogen light, under sunlight and in the dark. The experiment showed that halogen irradiation showed better result. Due to PNP adsorption on Bi2O3, even without irradiation, a small degradation was detected but in just over an hour, under halogen light the catalyst destroyed 99.23 % of 4-nitrophenol. We also used natural lighting in our degradation studies. Natural daylight deterioration efficiency was 63.26 %. The nanoparticles that were formed turned out to be an excellent photocatalyst for the degradation of PNP in wastewater.

IDENTIFYING AND VALIDATING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS-RELATED KEY COMPETENCIES IN UNDERGRADUATE GRAPHIC DESIGN EDUCATION

In contemporary higher education, aligning student competencies with sustainable development goals (SDGs) is crucial for enhancing their employability. This necessity extends to graphic design undergraduate programs, pivotal in nurturing designers capable of addressing global sustainability challenges. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study aims to outline essential competencies for graphic design undergraduates pertinent to the SDGs. The research commenced with a systematic review of fourteen seminal articles, leading to the initial identification of fifty-eight key competencies. Subsequently, a Delphi study involving 44 graphic design experts validated these competencies. This iterative process refined the list, excluding twenty-seven competencies and affirming thirty one as critical. These validated competencies were categorized into four groups: Systemic, Performance, Contextual, and Global. The study's findings provide valuable insights for graphic design educators and industry employers, illuminating competencies essential for addressing sustainability challenges. Furthermore, this research contributes to academic discourse by offering a structured framework for integrating SDG-related competencies into graphic design education. This facilitates the development of designers proficient not only in their craft but also in sustainability imperatives. Our aim is to enhance pedagogical strategies and inform curriculum development in graphic design education, aligning them with evolving professional demands and sustainable development objectives. Keywords: key competencies, SDG, design education, sustainability, Delphi method, systematic review, graphic design

Maximising ecological value and assessing land suitability for sustainable grassland management in Asia’s largest tropical grassland, Western India

Grasslands are crucial ecosystems that provide numerous ecological services and support biodiversity conservation. Grasslands undergo significant threats from both anthropogenic and natural sources, compromising their ability to maintain biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being. However, grasslands are frequently ignored in sustainable development objectives. Adequate knowledge of how grassland degradation affects ecosystem services is essential for sustainable management and grassland ecological restoration. The Kachchh region in western India harbours a unique grassland ecosystem known as the Banni grassland, which once became the finest grassland in Asia. However, undesirable anthropogenic interventions have accelerated its degradation. This research paper aims to assess the suitability of different land areas in Banni for sustainable grassland restoration, considering ecological value as a primary criterion. In the present research, land suitability for grassland management was assessed using a geographical information system (GIS)-based multi criteria evolution (MCE) method with satellite data and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The ground truthing of the soil samples was carried out alongside. Slope, rainfall, infiltration rate, LULC, geomorphology, soil texture, soil organic carbon, water holding capacity, SAR, CEC, pH, EC, and soil nutrients were among the criteria used. The weights for each criterion were calculated using a pairwise comparison matrix, and the scores were allocated to sub criteria based on field work, expert opinions, and a literature review. The proposed method can be very useful for evaluating the state of the land and can help with the best possible planning for grassland development and conservation. Banni grassland has the potential to be developed into a critical zone observatory (CZO) in the future, and the present study, with further inputs, holds promise for furthering the cause of its sustainable management. Overall, this study underscores the importance of assessing land suitability for sustainable grassland management and highlights the potential for maximising the ecological value of grasslands in western India and beyond.

Do global competitiveness factors impact the marine sustainability practices? An empirical evidence from fisheries sector

AbstractAccording to the research on fisheries, there are two main trade‐offs between these sustainability pillars. First, a fisheries industry's developing ecological health diminishes economic gains for fishermen. Second, individual fishermen's financial success undercuts fisheries communities' social goals. This paper aims to investigate the dynamic impact of global competitiveness on the sustainability of the fisheries industry in 27 European countries by considering the production of fisheries, enabling environments, ecosystems for innovation, market size, human capital, and economic growth between 1990 and 2022. At higher quantiles, the findings showed a strong positive association between enabling environment and fisheries sustainability by adopting MMQR with fixed effects, the new method of moments quantile regression. Additionally, in EU27 nations, the impact of human capital was positive and substantial from the first to ninth quantiles. Notably, the findings show that the EU14 developed nations have a greater level of development than the EU13 underdeveloped countries, which considerably benefits fisheries sustainability. Market size and economic growth were also found to condense fisheries sustainability in EU14 developed and EU13 developing countries, supporting the growth hypothesis for fisheries‐producing countries. Innovation ecosystem was found to increase fisheries sustainability across all quantiles. Notably, the findings show that the significant beneficial impact of the innovation ecosystem, market size, and economic development on the sustainability of fisheries is more significant in the emerging nations of the EU13 than in the developed countries of the EU14. With effective and environmentally friendly technology, policymakers may boost market competitiveness in the EU14 and EU13 countries and advance sustainable development objectives.

Peasant Displacement and Food Sustainability: The Colombian Case

Social migration affects the development of rural territories in multiple ways, as it poses a threat to food security and hinders the achievement of sustainable development objectives. The purpose of this research is to represent peasant migration and measure its impact on food security, since it creates conditions that alter people’s access to healthy food. Our research question is: What variables can be used to measure the impact of peasant migration on food security? A three-stage model is implemented, which includes (i) the acquisition of knowledge, (ii) the representation of knowledge, and (iii) decision-making. These stages are the basis of the methodology developed by the ARCOSES research group (Méndez A. System Dynamics and Social Problems. Bogotá: Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, 2012). The model developed to represent peasant migration and its impact on food security has five components. The model representation was applied in 58 typical rural municipalities, observing a potential loss of 30,580,000 tons of food, which amounts to 5% of the national production. Likewise, it was observed that 70% of migrating farmers are part of the economically active population. Colombian governorships should strive towards a greater and more comprehensive development of rural municipalities in order to avoid massive displacement to urban regions, which affects the availability of rural labor, causes poor agricultural production levels and compromises food sustainability. To ensure peasants’ full access to food and their well-being, an assertive intervention should be carried out by the Colombian State.

Deficiencies of women's participation in climate governance and sustainable development challenges in Bangladesh

AbstractIn Bangladesh, women endure the consequences of climate change while also serving a crucial role in domestic and community‐led climate change responses. Given the gender power dynamics that have developed in Bangladesh, integrating women as distinguishable actors and effective agents in climate governance remains a challenge. Bangladesh is a traditionally patriarchal society, and because of deeply ingrained gender inequalities, men dominate the family, community, and society. Most research has been conducted on women's vulnerability and victims, but only a few were conducted on how women can be change‐makers. This research found that with women's contribution and equal participation, achieving effective climate governance in Bangladesh is possible. The study also discovered that the absence of women from climate governance perpetuates gender inequality and makes it more challenging to achieve sustainable development objectives. The intricate relationships between gender equality, efficient climate governance, and the more general aim of sustainable development within the context of Bangladesh are explored in this study. In light of the findings, the study argues for and puts forward policy proposals for recognizing women's active contribution as change makers and supporting gender equality as a crucial strategy in climate governance in Bangladesh.

Nurturing Sustainable Development: The Interplay of Parenting Styles and SDGs in Children's Development.

This study delves into the dynamics of parenting styles and their impact on the cognitive and social-affective development of children within diverse family populations, contextualized within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing from a sample population comprising families from various socio-economic backgrounds and cultural contexts, the research explores the nuanced interactions between parenting approaches-ranging from authoritarian/permissive to democratic-and children's developmental trajectories. By examining families with different numbers of children, this study elucidates the differential effects of parenting styles on cognitive adaptability and social-emotional skills across varying family structures. Democratic parenting emerges as a critical factor in promoting children's well-being, equitable access to education, and the fostering of peaceful societies, aligning with SDGs 3, 4, and 16. Furthermore, the research addresses disparities in child development outcomes, shedding light on issues of gender equality (SDG 5) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) within the context of family dynamics. Through a comprehensive analysis of diverse family populations, this study underscores the significance of inclusive and nurturing parenting practices in advancing sustainable development objectives, advocating for collaborative efforts (SDG 17) to support families in fostering optimal child development outcomes for all.

Climate Change Perceptions: A Study With Portuguese University Social Education Students

Abstract Climate change (CC) is one of the most urgent problems to solve in this century, the effects of which cover a wide range of disciplines that go beyond the environmental component, becoming a social and economic problem as well. Social educators are professionals who must ensure that the quality of life in socially vulnerable societies is improved. In order to mitigate the problem of climate change, it is necessary for all professionals in the most varied areas to have climate literacy, so that they can adopt behaviors that comply with the objectives of sustainable development. Recognizing the importance of the social educator in the context of contemporary societies, we intended to find out the university students’ perceptions on the social education course. With this in mind, we set out to carry out this study, which was based on the application of a questionnaire using a Likert scale. The respondents were 161 social education students at a higher education institution in Portugal. In order to carry out the inferential analysis, we took care to meet the necessary criteria for carrying out parametric tests. The results showed that a majority (72.6 %) of students were concerned about climate change. They (54.7 %) also stated that they would like their course to deal more with climate change, as 74 % acknowledged that they did not have the skills to deal with climate change as a future professional. The results also showed that the students were incapable of correctly listing a consequence of climate change. The data collected and analyzed in this study allowed us to conclude that Environmental Education played a fundamental role in the academic training of social educators, suggesting the need for its reinforcement and inclusion in their training plans. We also found that greater efforts were needed to improve students’ climate literacy.

Bibliometric Analysis on the Creation of Joint Added Value Through Organizational Social Responsibility

Abstract Creating common added value for organizations and society is a modern topic of discussion in the circles of practitioners and representatives of local communities. Organizational social responsibility, as a tool that achieves this connection, has been the subject of specialized studies since the beginning of the 20th century. The objective of the article is to identify and quantitatively analyze the publications that dealt with the “intersection” between the terms “joint added value” and “organizational social responsibility”, capitalizing on the way in which they influence each other, with the effect of amplifying the results. The method used is the bibliometric analysis, and the results highlight a relatively recent interest in studies aimed at this objective, with an intensification of the scientific effort after 2016. The newest works have addressed the creation of added value as a condition for ensuring organizational sustainability or as a starting point in achieving organizational alignment with sustainable development objectives.

Performance evaluation using multi-stage production frameworks: Assessing the tradeoffs among the economic, environmental, and social well-being

Aiming to achieve sustainable development, a constantly growing number of countries have strived to promote economic growth while simultaneously mitigating environmental degradation and maximizing social welfare. However, despite the importance attributed to social well-being in contemporary discourse, its role has not received much attention in the performance evaluation literature. We propose a novel, multi-stage framework based on three dimensions of performance allowing us to assess the tradeoffs between the economic, environmental, and social efficiency in 28 OECD member countries from 2000 to 2019. We construct several scenarios representing policymakers' preferences by altering the weights assigned to the different performance pillars, allowing us to assess the environmental and social repercussions of economic growth. Our findings suggest that policies promoting relatively balanced growth patterns can offer opportunities for higher performance across all three pillars. At the same time, prioritizing development along any single dimension can trigger a relatively significant drop in progress in terms of the other two pillars. We also demonstrate that the sustainable development potential has varied across time and space. Comparisons suggest that the European OECD member countries have outperformed their non-European counterparts in terms of the economic performance, health outcomes, life expectancy, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Our results can provide policymakers with insights into strategies for promoting economic growth that account for sustainable development objectives.

Sustainable Development

An analysis of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, highlights the presence of socio-economic and political obstacles. This research examines the challenges that are impeding the accomplishment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as poverty (SDG 1), health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), and economic growth (SDG 8), utilizing data from the World Bank, IMF, WHO, and FAO. The financial facts given highlight the immediate need for significant actions. The report recommends that Developed Countries (DCs) take on a crucial role by allocating at least one per cent of their Gross National Product (GNP) towards development aid. Achieving success in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires effective governance and the execution of structural changes. The report advocates for providing development aid from developed countries to underdeveloped countries (UDCs), aiming to foster the exchange of experiences to address common difficulties. The conclusions guide South Asian governments in formulating efficacious economic strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In addition, the study examines 26 papers issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) that investigate sustainability in Pakistani Higher Education Institutions. An analysis of this research reveals both advancements and obstacles in pursuing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Various stakeholders actively participate in the transformational process, including administrators, leaders, instructors, and students. The examination focuses on governance, communication, coordination, and campus outreach and tackles problems. Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prioritizing logistical assistance and excellent education (SDG 4) is crucial. The study is a manual for educators, policymakers, and curriculum creators to promote Sustainable Development, assisting researchers in formulating inquiries for sustainable development objectives.

УПРАВЛІННЯ СТАЛИМ РОЗВИТКОМ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА В УМОВАХ МІНЛИВОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА

The need to solve the global problems of humanity has already convincingly and indisputably proven the feasibility of introducing the concept of sustainable development into the practical sphere of economic activity and management of business entities. However, the complexity and scale of the components of the trilemma of sustainable development create several risks and threats to the organization's management system. These risks are exacerbated by the unpredictable effects of external and internal business environment factors. The article examines the peculiarities of managing the activities of enterprises based on sustainable development under the influence of factors of a changing business environment. The proposed author's vision of the content of sustainable development is based on the combination of commercial and non-commercial goals of the company's existence. The implementation of the principles of the global concept of sustainable development in the practical sphere of enterprise management showed the urgent need to consider the challenges and risks exacerbated by the high degree of volatility and variability of the external business environment. Under such conditions, modern approaches to management are updated, which are based on the principles of risk management and allow effective management and leveling of the consequences of transformational transformations associated with the sustainable development of the company. It was determined that the key risks for sustainable business are environmental, social and managerial risks. Considering the nature of their origin and the nature of the manifestation, the article examines the phasing of the risk management process recommended by the world's leading companies when the company achieves the goals of sustainable development. A set of management methods based on the principles of sustainable business development is recommended under the conditions of the need to level the risks of the organization's changing environment. Among the main ones, the following are proposed: a method of analyzing hierarchy processes; method of analytical and network processes; a method of assessing the priority of organizational sub-risks of sustainable management; compliance, assessment of codes of business conduct, assessment of sustainability risks of supply chains. It was determined that the achievement of the goals and objectives of sustainable development and modern approaches to risk management of the business environment should be based on a more transparent disclosure of information about activities. The international standard IFRS S1 "General Requirements For Disclosures Of Sustainability-Related Financial Information" is not just a strategic guideline, but a necessity for the disclosure of information and the creation of a transparent information and analytical management base. This practice is now becoming mandatory for large and medium-sized businesses in foreign management practice, underlining its importance in sustainable business management.

Financial Investment Valuation Models for Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Projects: Trends and Challenges

Energy production through non-conventional renewable sources allows progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Objectives and constitutes abundant and reliable sources when combined with storage systems. From a financial viewpoint, renewable energy production projects withstand significant challenges such as competition, irreversibility of investments, high uncertainty levels, and considerable investment amounts. These facts make their financial valuation fundamental for all the agents involved. Using the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases, a scientometric analysis was carried out to understand the methods that have been used in the financial appraisal of photovoltaic energy generation projects with storage systems. The present research project was developed from 268 studies published between 2013 and 2023; tools such as Bibliometrix 4.1.3, VOSViewer 1.6.19, and Tree of Science 0.0.1a9 were used. Two main findings stand out: (i) the most used methods in the literature are the traditional ones, and within them, the levelized cost of energy has been used with greater frequency; and (ii) there is an interest in analyzing the investments of these systems for residences within the framework of distributed energy generation. Two gaps were found in the literature: (i) the studies that were carried out have not comprehensively incorporated the financial challenges faced by these investments; and (ii) the evaluation of these projects has not been addressed from the perspective of a utility-based power generator.

Incidence of Student Participation in The Democratic Culture of School Municipalities

Purpose: Determine to what extent student participation affects the democratic culture of School Municipalities. Theoretical Framework: Focuses on the importance of developing a democratic culture through student participation in spaces such as school municipalities, based on the theories of John Dewey and Roger Hart. Method: A quantitative approach was used with a causal correlational design and a sample of 230 students between 12 and 17 years old, selected from a population of 569 members of the school municipalities through probabilistic sampling. Results and Discussion: It was found that 32.6% of students consider student participation positive, while 33.9% perceive it negatively. Furthermore, 68.3% report a regular perception of the democratic culture in school municipalities. Although there are spaces for participation, student involvement remains low on many occasions. Research Implications: This study seeks to promote democratic culture through student participation in school, thus contributing to improving educational management and aligning with the objectives of sustainable development in education. Originality: Offers a perspective on the role of educational institutions in building a democratic school community through student participation. Conclusion: Student participation has a significant impact (82.5%) on the democratic culture of the School Municipalities, which supports the study hypothesis. It is crucial that students understand their role as citizens and actively participate in school life to build a strong democratic culture.

The Macroeconomic Role of New Energy Sources in the Transition of Global Energy Structure

This paper looks into the changing world scene of energy with respect to shifts from traditional to new energy sources. When the trends are examined against the backdrop of rapid industrialization, technological breakthroughs, and globalization, it is noticeable that traditional energy sources have major environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas pollution and various health risks. The study demonstrates that new and renewable energy options such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power could play a leading role in reducing climate change effects and improving air and water quality. The discussion on the macroeconomic influences of these new energy sources, particularly on power generation and the automotive sector, can be seen as having transformative potential in supporting sustainable development objectives. Although the article acknowledges the growth in this sector, it also pinpoints impediments that hinder the new energy technologies, including technological youthfulness, limited infrastructure, and intermittent supply of energy. The strategy recommended as a whole consists of enhanced investment in research and development; a joined approach of politics; edification programs; and public promotion with an aim to solve these difficulties and to hasten the process of global transition into a sustainable energy sphere. The study indicates that while environmental concerns should be balanced against economic development and societal benefits when shaping future global energy systems.

Better Together: Opportunities to Integrate Global Surgery and Primary Health Coverage

There has been recognition of the importance of strong, people-centered primary health care (PHC) with heightened focus beginning with the Declaration of Alma-Ata, now nearly 50 years ago. When designed and delivered well, PHC re-orients health systems around individuals, families, and communities, offering comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated care. It is for this potential that a PHC-grounded approach is cited as instrumental for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and the health-related objectives for sustainable development.

A robust reverse pharmaceutical supply chain design considering perishability and sustainable development objectives

A robust reverse pharmaceutical supply chain design considering perishability and sustainable development objectives