Sustainable Development Policy Research Articles

LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE MAPPING FROM SENTINEL 1B < 2A IMAGERY USING RANDOM FOREST ALGORITHM IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Monitoring crop condition, soil properties, and mapping tillage activities can be used to assess land use, forecast crops, monitor seasonal changes, and contribute to the implementation of sustainable development policy. Agricultural maps can provide independent and objective estimates of the extent of crops in a given area or growing season, which can be used to support efforts to ensure food security in vulnerable areas. Satellite data can help detect and classify different types of soil. The evolution of satellite remote sensing technologies has transformed techniques for monitoring the Earth’s surface over the last several decades. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union (EU) created the Copernicus program, which resulted in the European satellites Sentinel-1B (S1B) and Sentinel-2A (S2A), which allow the collection of multi-temporal, spatial, and highly repeatable data, providing an excellent opportunity for the study of land use, land cover, and change. The goal of this study is to map the land cover of Côte d’Ivoire’s West Central Soubre area (5°47′1′′ North, 6°35′38′′ West) between 2014 and 2020. The method is based on a combination of S1B and S2A imagery data, as well as three types of predictors: the biophysical indices Normalized Difference Vegetation Index “(NDVI)”, Modified Normalized Difference Water Index “(MNDWI)”, Normalized Difference Urbanization Index “(NDBI)”, and Normalized Difference Water Index “(NDWI)”, as well as spectral bands (B1, B11, B2, B3, B4, B6, B7, B8) and polarization coefficients VV. For the period 2014–2020, six land classifications have been established: Thick_Forest, Clear_Drill, Urban, Water, Palm_Oil, Bareland, and Cacao_Land. The Random Forest (RF) algorithm with 60 numberOfTrees was the primary categorization approach used in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The results show that the RF classification performed well, with outOfBagErrorEstimates of 0.0314 and 0.0498 for 2014 and 2020, respectively. The classification accuracy values for the kappa coefficients were above 95%: 96.42% in 2014 and 95.28% in 2020, with an overall accuracy of 96.97% in 2014 and 96 % in 2020. Furthermore, the User Accuracy (UA) and Producer Accuracy (PA) values for the classes were frequently above 80%, with the exception of the Bareland class in 2020, which achieved 79.20%. The backscatter coefficients of the S1B polarization variables had higher GINI significance in 2014: VH (70.80) compared to VH (50.37) in 2020; and VV (57.11) in 2014 compared to VV (46.17) in 2020. Polarization coefficients had higher values than the other spectral and biophysical variables of the three predictor variables. During the study period, the Thick_Forest (35.90% ± 1.17), Palm_Oil (57.59% ± 1.48), and Water (5.90% ± 0.47) classes experienced a regression in area, while the Clear_Drill (16.96% ± 0.80), Urban (2.32% ± 0.29), Bareland (83.54% ± 1.79), and Cacao_Land (35.14% ± 1.16) classes experienced an increase. The approach used is regarded as excellent based on the results obtained.

Foundational guiding principles for a flourishing Earth system

AbstractIn this perspectives article, we maintain that the current local to global sustainable development predicaments we face are the result of humanity's impact on the Earth System (ES)—that is to say, on the very systemic fabric of the ES (i.e., its functioning and configuration), combined with an insufficiently coherent application of sustainable development policy to address and resolve this systemic problem. In response to what is an urgent crisis, we propose four foundational guiding principles, which we contend provide an overarching framing that, if implemented, would offer an approach to steer global sustainable development policy in a manner that would be to the benefit of the ES and the securing of a flourishing future for all. Our principles are applicable at the levels from a local business ecosystem, national‐regional networks, to global policy.

Implementation of Public Policy to Achieve Sustainable Development: Challenges and Strategies

This research aims to analyze and understand various challenges and effective strategies in implementing public policies for sustainable development. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative approach, with data obtained from a review of related literature. The data is processed and analyzed to identify relevant trends and patterns. The research results show that coordination between agencies, adapting policies to local conditions, limited funding, and community participation are the main challenges in policy implementation. Effective strategies include developing cooperation, policy flexibility, innovative funding, and improving communication and public education. Technology, particularly in information and communications, has proven important in increasing transparency and efficiency. Response to climate change and adaptation to global economic and geopolitical challenges are also critical aspects. In conclusion, a collaborative and adaptive approach is needed to overcome these challenges and achieve effective sustainable development.

Assessment Of Remote Sensing Approach For Urban Ecological Quality Evaluation In Pekanbaru City, Riau Province Indonesia

There are obstacles in estimating environmental dynamics behind its convenience, beginning with the development of effective policies for sustainable urban development. The objectives of this research were to comprehend the ability and performance of ecological indices integration and to identify the spatial distribution of changes from 2018 to 2021 in Pekanbaru City, Riau province, Indonesia. This study employed remote sensing data to create ecological parameters including the build-up index, vegetation index, soil index, and moisture index, as well as principal component analysis to generate ecological index integration. The findings indicate a correlation of over 90% among these parameters from 2018 to 2021. Overall, there has been a significant decrease in the ecological quality index’s high-quality categories, such as good and excellent, covering a total of 19.6% over 127 km². Conversely, the poor ecological quality category increased to 2.2%, encompassing an area of 15 km², up from the initial 21.2% covering 122 km². Additionally, the fair and moderate categories also experienced increases of 4% and 13.4%, respectively, reaching 28 km² and 84 km². The study area’s ecological quality is largely affected by increased anthropogenic activities, leading to a drastic decrease in the presence of ecological quality in the good and excellent categories. The importance of spatial planning is emphasized to incorporate aspects of ecological assessment rather than solely focusing on increasing economic activity. This outcome can be used to respond to the concept of sustainable development by caring for the ecological environment, particularly in urban areas, and mitigating ecological damage.

The Environmental Aspect in Sustainable Development Policies and its Impact on Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Arab Countries

The Environmental Aspect in Sustainable Development Policies and its Impact on Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Arab Countries

Shaking up Assumptions: Earthquakes Have Rarely Triggered Andean Glacier Lake Outburst Floods

AbstractAs the world’s glaciers recede in response to a warming atmosphere, a change in the magnitude and frequency of related hazards is expected. Among the most destructive hazards are glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and their future evolution is concerning for local populations and sustainable development policy. Central to this is a better understanding of triggers. There is a long‐standing assumption that earthquakes are a major GLOF trigger, and seismic activity is consistently included as a key hazard assessment criterion. Here, we provide the first empirical evidence that this assumption is largely incorrect. Focusing on the Tropical Andes, we show that, of 59 earthquakes (1900–2021) the effects of which intersect with known glacier lakes, only one has triggered GLOFs. We argue that, to help develop climate resilient protocols, the focus for future assessments should be on understanding other key GLOF drivers, such as thawing permafrost and underlying structural geology.

The Interactions between Labour Market Policies and Income Inequalities in Groups of European Union Countries

Social cohesion and a sustainable labour market remain the aims of sustainable development policy. However, income inequalities and labour market policies are more often separately analysed. To fill the identified research gap, our article presents the results of an analysis of interactions between active and passive labour market policies and income inequalities in the European Union. The 27 countries were divided into two clusters based on their active and passive labour market policy (LMP) expenditures in 2019. These clusters sustain the basis for analysing the interactions between LMP and income inequalities in its different measures. The results reveal that labour market interventions interact with income inequalities, decreasing disposable income inequalities (equalising the disposable income after transfers and taxes) and therefore contributing to social cohesion. This paper concerns social cohesion as the manifestation of intragenerational justice.

Local rulemaking as a legal basis for the implementation of the policy of sustainable development of the enterprise

The article is devoted to the definition of the concept of the sustainable development policy of the enterprise and the research of the directions of legal support for the implementation of the sustainable development policy at the enterprise using local economic and legal rulemaking.
 On September 25, 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the development agenda for the period after 2015: «Transforming our world: Agenda for sustainable development until 2030», which formulated 17 sustainable development goals designed to stimulate activities in economic, social and ecological spheres of life. At the national level, the desire to implement the goals of sustainable development is enshrined in the Decree of the President of Ukraine «On the Goals of Sustainable Development of Ukraine for the Period Until 2030» dated September 30, 2019.
 Due to destabilizing factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a large-scale military invasion by an aggressor country, the urgency of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals has increased. To effectively overcome the negative impact of the above factors, it is advisable to implement the goals of sustainable development not only at the macroeconomic level, but also at the microeconomic level.
 It is considered that the implementation of the goals of sustainable development at the level of a separate economic entity should be carried out using local economic and legal regulation. To ensure the effectiveness of the process of implementing the goals of sustainable development, it can be implemented on the basis of an integrated enterprise policy.
 It was concluded that the policy of sustainable development of the enterprise is a set of measures aimed at the legal support of the development of the enterprise in the economic, ecological, and social spheres of its life activity and contribute to the sustainable development of the enterprise and the achievement of the main goal of its activity.
 Taking into account the complexity underlying the idea of creating an enterprise’s sustainable development policy, it can be formalized in the form of a system of local acts - the main «Sustainable Development Policy Strategy» and its derivatives. The main local act can be approved by the higher management body of the business entity. Derivative local acts can be approved at a lower level - this will contribute to the formation of a legal model that will have: a rigid core, which will contain a strategy for implementing the goals of sustainable development of the enterprise; moving branches that will regulate the rapid tactical steps of the implementation of the specified process and will be promptly adjusted if necessary.

Empirical Analysis on Influence of Authenticity Perception on Tourist Loyalty in Historical Blocks in China

Tourist loyalty is the key to the sustainable development of tourism in urban historical blocks. This article focuses on exploring the relationship between authenticity perception and tourist loyalty in this context. With this aim, we introduce the mediating variable of tourist engagement and construct a theoretical model of authenticity perception, tourist engagement, and tourist loyalty. Hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping were performed on questionnaire data of 287 West Street tourists in Dujiangyan, China. The results of this study demonstrate that both object-related authenticity perception and existential authenticity perception have a significant positive impact on tourist loyalty behavior, with similar degrees of influence. Additionally, the study reveals that tourist engagement plays a mediating role in the relationship among object-related authenticity, existential authenticity, and tourist loyalty. From the perspective of tourist engagement, this article reveals the impact mechanism of authenticity perception on tourist loyalty in the context of historical block tourism, enriches the research on tourism authenticity, and deepens the understanding of tourist loyalty behavior. Furthermore, the results of this study also provide reference for the formulation of sustainable development policies related to tourism in historical blocks.

DEFICITS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN THE PERM KRAI MUNICIPALITIES: CASES OF KRASNOKAMSK AND NYTVA URBAN DISTRICTS

The article is devoted to the analysis of limitations and deficits within the framework of the administrative implementation of sustainable development policy at the municipal level (using the examples of municipalities of the Perm Krai - Nytva urban district and Krasnokamsk urban district). The key research methods are sociological survey techniques: expert interviews, interviews with representatives of municipal authorities and the municipal public. The results of the study partially confirmed the main theoretical hypotheses. Deficits of human and material resources are among the key factors limiting the implementation of sustainable development policy in the municipalities under study. A number of additional factors of administrative, financial, and legal nature are also significant limitations. Rigid vertical administrative policy has an indirect effect, and the hypothesis in this regard was only partially confirmed.

Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy Policy: A Review of Global Trends and Success Stories

As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, the imperative for sustainable development and the adoption of renewable energy policies has become increasingly apparent. This comprehensive review explores the global landscape of sustainable development and renewable energy policies, shedding light on emerging trends and success stories that offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. The paper begins by examining the evolving international discourse surrounding sustainable development, emphasizing the crucial role of renewable energy in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. It delves into the key principles and frameworks that guide global efforts towards sustainable development, highlighting the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The review identifies and analyzes the diverse approaches and strategies employed by countries worldwide to integrate renewable energy into their policy frameworks. Case studies from various regions showcase successful initiatives, emphasizing the impact of well-designed policies on fostering a transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. Examples of effective policy instruments, such as feed-in tariffs, renewable energy targets, and innovative financing mechanisms, are explored to provide a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to success. Furthermore, the review critically assesses the challenges and barriers hindering the widespread adoption of renewable energy policies, including policy inconsistencies, technological constraints, and socio-economic factors. Insights gained from the analysis offer valuable lessons for refining existing policies and developing new strategies to accelerate the global shift towards sustainable and renewable energy solutions. This review serves as a comprehensive resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, offering a nuanced understanding of the current global trends in sustainable development and renewable energy policies. By drawing upon success stories and identifying key challenges, it provides a roadmap for fostering effective and scalable solutions to address the urgent need for a sustainable energy future.

Implication of 4th Industrial Revolution on Tax Revenue Collection in Tanzania: A Case of Manufacturing Industries

The study assessed the implication of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on tax revenue collection in Tanzania. Specifically, the study set out to establish the causality of investment in 4IR technologies, on manufacturing industries’ Value Added Tax (VAT); determine the influence of investment in 4IR technologies on manufacturing industries’ Corporate Tax and examine the effects of investment in 4IR technologies on manufacturing industries’ Employment Tax (PAYE). To achieve the research objectives, the study used a quantitative descriptive design to generate the required data. Moreover, the study used structured questionnaires for cross-sectional survey, administered with 225 production managers of manufacturing industries in Tanzania. It used probability sampling in the form of cluster sampling. Additionally, the study used the Least Square method to analyse the objectives of the study in addition to testing the hypotheses. The study found a positive and statistically significant causal effect between investment in modern technology, VAT, Corporate tax and Employment Tax (PAYE) of manufacturing firms in Tanzania, for the period under study. Implicitly, the emergence of 4IR does not necessarily occasion a decline in tax revenue collections (VAT, PAYE, and Corporate Tax) on the part of manufacturing firms in developing countries endowed with resources, like Tanzania, but rather complements and accelerates its growth. Thus, the study calls on the Tanzania Government to review and improve its Sustainable Industrial Development Policy of 2020 and the Integrated Industrial Development Strategy of 2025 to embrace, promote and support not only resource-based industries, but also technological based industries, to speed up industrialization within the country and ultimately improve and increase tax revenue collection. The government should also improve its investment policies and align them with technological changes brought by 4IR, to attract more foreign direct investments, importation and adaptation of 4IR technologies from developed countries that enhance productivity, turnover and tax revenue collections from the manufacturing sector.

Systematic analysis of the functional features of the information and analytical system of the professional development of the communicative culture of documents

The need for systematic analysis of information and analytical systems in the fields of knowledge education/pedagogical sciences, socio-behavioral sciences and culture and art has been updated. The conceptual-categorical apparatus of the system analysis of the functionality of the information-analytical system of the professional development of the communicative culture of document editors is singled out. The concept of "informational and analytical system" has been clarified, the definition of "informational and analytical system of higher education institutions" has been specified. The goal of formation and target tasks of the information and analytical system of higher education institutions, its structure and factors of regulation are disclosed, the structural components of the system are established. The methodical apparatus of the system approach in information-analytical activity and the subject area of research of the system analysis of the information-analytical system of the professional development of document editors have been clarified. The classification features of system-forming characteristics, which are the subject of system analysis, are singled out. A systematic approach was applied to determine the functional structure of the system. Management functions have been updated, classification features of management functionality have been highlighted. In the course of the system analysis, the functional features of the information- analytical system of professional training and development of the communicative culture of document editors were classified, namely the functions: law-enforcing legal protection of social guarantees of the national and global dimension; political- administrative by types and types of policies of different levels of management; socio-economic connection to ensure the effectiveness of the policy of sustainable development; cultural and artistic academic culture; supervisory sphere of technical regulation; serving from the service of legal and social protection of participants in educational and research processes.

Natural resource dependence and sustainable development policy: Insights from city-level analysis

Under the unprecedented negative impacts of global economic slowdown and environmental deterioration, the question of how to turn the “natural resource curse” into the “natural resource blessing” has become a major emerging issue. This study estimates how a dynamically implemented sustainable development policy can break down the natural resource curse in 283 Chinese cities from 2009 to 2019, with the time-varying difference-in-differences model adopted. The findings indicate that: (1) As for the pilot cities, this sustainable development policy can reduce their natural resource dependence by 30.81% at the 1% significance level, with the overall policy effect being more evident among resource-based and industry-based cities. (2) Cities can employ green patent output as an effective mechanism to enhance policy-stimulating effects on natural resource dependence, among which green utility patent output works better. (3) Cities in multi-regional-level urban agglomerations will have more policy effects in breaking natural resource curses.

Recognizing urban shrinkage and growth patterns from a global perspective

The incongruous patterns of urban growth often give rise to a myriad of issues, notably urban sprawl and urban shrinkage. These challenges frequently coexist and interact, presenting formidable obstacles to achieving sustainable city development. Therefore, investigations that endeavor to scrutinize both urban expansion and shrinkage in concert from a comprehensive perspective are essential. Present works of defining this trajectory are still vague, in which there is no clear clarification, and the relationship with socioeconomic also tends to be neglected. Thus, we proposed a new framework utilizing characteristic changes over 30 years in population and density to conduct a synthesis of urban growth patterns in 3911 cities worldwide along with their driving factors. We found that the development stage played a crucial role in urban growth pattern. Specifically, the densification cities were mostly found in the early stages of industrialization and urbanization. However, in accelerated industrialization and fast-developing regions, sprawl cities progressively gained dominance. Most cities followed the sprawl pattern and more shrinkage cities began to emerge in regions which in post-industrialization developed at high stages. Factors including industrialization level, urbanization rate, initial population density, terrain, and cultivated land conditions all exerted notable influences revolving around the urban growth process. Our study aims to help gain an overall sense of the global urbanization process as well as guide decision-makers to search for tailor-made management policies and urban planning for cities at various development stages. The patterns of expansion and shrinkage could offer support for a more comprehensive assessment of SDG indicators 11.3.1 and thus inform policies for urban sustainable development.

Sustainability Reporting Nexus to Corporate Governance: A Comprehensive Analysis

In today’s dynamic landscape, sustainable development permeates every facet of our lives. Conversations about sustainability abound, extending beyond small and medium-sized enterprises to encompass large corporations. As environmental and social concerns take center stage, corporate governance now extends its purview beyond mere investment returns. It scrutinizes the societal impact of companies, emphasizing their footprint. In this context, we delve into the intricate relationship between corporate governance and sustainable development. Our research combines literature review and empirical investigation. This paper presents select findings from our survey, shedding light on shifts in corporate governance practices and the evolving role of boards of directors worldwide, influenced by sustainable development policies. By examining the interplay between governance structures and sustainable practices, we contribute to a deeper understanding of how organizations can align their strategies with global sustainability goals. The implications of our findings extend beyond boardrooms, affecting policy formulation, stakeholder engagement, and long-term business viability. As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world, the synergy between corporate governance and sustainable development remains pivotal for shaping a more resilient and responsible future.

Scale development for measuring sustainability of urban destinations from the perspectives of residents, tourists, businesses and government

This study develops four subjective scales to measure a destination’s sustainability from the perspectives of residents, tourists, businesses and government agencies. Using the expert opinion survey, participants were asked to evaluate the initial list of indicators based on five aspects of sustainability, including economic, socio-cultural, environmental, political and technological sustainability for each stakeholder group. Then, the scales were validated using partial least squares - structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and confirmatory composite analysis (CCA). This article has a unique theoretical contribution by developing four scales to measure the sustainability of destinations from the perspective of four main stakeholders. Moreover, this article provides practical implications and can assist tourism providers and governments in better understanding sustainable urban tourism development and shaping policy.

Assessing the long-term impact of macroeconomic and environment dynamics: Does sustainable energy production shape the environmental landscape of south ASIAN nations?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This study delves into the intricate interconnections among the financial sector, macroeconomic dynamics, and the advancement of sustainable energy production in South Asia. Utilizing data from 1987 to 2022 in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the research employs the Structural Vector Autoregressive (SVAR) method to analyze financial market responses. The findings reveal nuanced insights into the complex relationship between economic and environmental factors, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the region's intricate nexus between financial markets and sustainable energy initiatives. In the Economic Growth model, the negative coefficient for CO2 emissions underscores environmental concerns, indicating an inverse relationship with economic growth. Conversely, positive coefficients for non-fossil energy production, Gross Fixed Capital Formation, stock exchange value, and domestic credit emphasize their positive impact on economic growth. A positive GDP coefficient in the CO2 emission model signifies heightened carbon emissions with economic growth, while a negative coefficient for non-fossil energy production suggests potential environmental benefits. The nearly unitary positive coefficient for Gross Fixed Capital Formation highlights its significant role in driving carbon emissions. The Non-Fossil Energy Production model reveals an inverse relationship between GDP and clean energy, suggesting a potential reliance on fossil fuels during economic growth. Positive coefficients for CO2 emissions, Gross Fixed Capital Formation, stock exchange value, and domestic credit highlight factors influencing non-fossil energy production. Long-run stable coefficients affirm variable significance, while a negative error correction term suggests convergence in developing countries. These models offer nuanced insights into the intricate relationships among economic, environmental, and energy variables, guiding sustainable development policies in South Asia.</span></p>

The synergy between pollution reduction and carbon reduction in Chinese cities and its influencing factors

The synergy between pollution reduction (PR) and carbon reduction (CR) is crucial for cities facing both climate change and environmental pollution in achieving sustainable development. This study evaluates the PR-CR synergy in 295 Chinese cities from 2014 to 2022. Utilizing the improved Tapio Decoupling Principle and the Probit model, the study reveals that: (1) About 51.5 % (152) of the cities demonstrated a synergy between PR and CR. This synergy varied across the years; for instance, 102 cities exhibited it in 2018 and 2020, but only 14 in 2019. (2) The remaining 48.5 % (143 cities) did not exhibit this synergy, largely due to increased carbon emissions. These cities fall into three categories: those affected primarily by air pollution, carbon emissions, or both. (3) Environmental regulation emerged as the most influential factor promoting this synergy, with a significant coefficient of 81.47. Other positive influences included annual precipitation (0.000284), altitude (0.000650), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (2.024), proportion of secondary industry (0.0168), proportion of construction land area (0.0182), and green patents (0.0000571). Conversely, average annual temperature (-0.0620) and relief amplitude (-0.0705) negatively impacted the synergy. This study enriches the discourse on PR-CR synergy, offering valuable insights for shaping sustainable development policies in cities.

Coastal cities governance in the context of integrated coastal zonal management: a sustainable development goal perspective under international environmental law for ‘coastal sustainability’

Literature on integrated coastal zonal management (ICZM) for coastal sustainability from a legal perspective provided significant measures. Recently, sustainable development goals (SDGs) have become a focus in ICZM literature, which establishes coastal goals and connects these goals with other goals. Although integrating coastal goals into ICZM under international law challenges the existing models presented in the literature, the comprehensive literature review (CLR) methodology is appropriate for observing the current literature and provides a way-forward for coastal goals. Therefore, through this research, a CLR on ICZM literature is conducted to observe how far SDGs are integrated for coastal sustainability. The CLR identified that coastal city governance is a pertinent part of ICZM, and the coastal goals are devised in the form of environmental goals of SDG – 14 (life below water). This CLR examines the anthropogenic connections of waste, sanitation, and emissions management and urban planning with coastal ecosystems under the ICZM system. For such purposes, governance tools of science-policy integration under international law and policy for sustainable development are utilized to form an obligatory framework. The CLR further provided coordination, adaptivity, monitoring, and capacity-building tools, which were utilized thoroughly throughout the literature and can be incorporated with the SDGs in a multilevel governance framework of ICZM. Throughout the study, international law formulating SDGs is pivotal to be transplanted successfully into the ICZM governance processes.