Sustainable Development Policy Research Articles

Sustainability Potential of Marginal Areas for Food, Feed, and Non-Food Production in the Puglia Region, Southern Italy: Part II: A Review

There is considerable unused and unproductive land in rural areas of the Puglia region, Southern Italy. These areas and their local cultivators/growers have always been overlooked by academic, policy, and investment circles despite their potential to improve food security and the livelihood of rural communities. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the sustainability potential of these areas to produce food, feed, and non-food products. This evaluation will play a vital role in the sustainable development of rural regions such as the Puglia region. In this review, we highlighted important aspects regarding the management potential and the expected contribution that various types of marginal areas (MAs) could add to the regional economy of Puglia. The authors focused on the extent to which Puglia’s marginal lands can realistically be utilized to meet Italy’s food production targets, considering the economic, social, and environmental potential of different marginal area types within the Puglia territories. In writing this review, we have been inspired by the lack of sufficient information necessary to carry out a plan for the revitalization of MAs and the sustainable development of regional rural areas. Although Italian scholars have not extensively researched MAs, the available data suggest that they could significantly contribute to the development of regional economy and food security, despite their complexity and low-input nature. The scientific evidence suggests that the main challenge associated with using MAs for food and/or non-food production is balancing biodiversity conservation with local residents’ social and economic development. Presently, some small-scale or family farms are already operating within MAs. However, they still contribute minimally to the overall agricultural production in the region, even though they have the potential to play an important economic role for numerous rural communities in Puglia. Furthermore, the available data indicate that over 40% of existing farmers in MAs require greater support to sustain their activities. Such support should be tailored to the local context, built on and, where appropriate, improved upon existing practices, while addressing various threats to these areas. In this regard, sustainable development policies should shape MAs’ landscapes through the support of initiatives aimed at the recovery of traditional agricultural activities, the use of local varieties, the protection of the environment, and the conservation of biodiversity. The authors believe that this review provides policymakers with recommendations to consider when supporting the sustainable use of MAs as a potential source of food security and sustainable development for people living in these areas.

Use of enzymatic processes in the tanning of leather materials

Abstract The policy of sustainable development, the need to save natural environmental resources, and the use of waste as raw materials in new production processes allow the use of enzymes in many industries. Enzymatic tanning and chrome tanning are two different methods used in the leather industry to transform raw hides into a durable and usable material. Enzymatic tanning uses natural enzymes that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Additionally, enzymatic tanning requires less water and generates less waste than chrome tanning. Moreover, enzymatic tanning can result in softer and more flexible leather with better uniformity. Enzymes selectively break down collagen fibers, resulting in a more even tanning and a consistent leather product. The use of combined enzymatic technologies with non-obvious leather finishing methodologies in tanning is forced by European Union regulations limiting the use of hazardous substances and generating significant amounts of corrosive wastewater for the environment. However, tanning with enzymes is not a perfect process; therefore, this work presents the advantages and disadvantages of tanning with enzymes and describes new technological trends in the tanning industry.

Maximizing Revenue Generation Through Effective Tax Policies for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria; A Conceptual Review

This paper focused on the imperative of maximizing revenue generation in Nigeria through the implementation of effective tax policies. In a nation characterized by diverse economic sectors and challenges such as tax evasion and a significant informal economy, the need for strategic fiscal policies is paramount. This paper explores the multifaceted approach to effective taxation, including broadening the tax base, simplifying the tax system, and utilizing technology for efficient tax collection. Drawing on progressive taxation, incentives for strategic sectors and ensuring transparency, the paper advocates for policies that not only increase revenue but also promote economic stability and social equity. The importance of reducing dependence on oil revenue, enhancing compliance, and encouraging investments is highlighted. In conclusion, it stresses that effective tax policies are integral to Nigeria's economic stability, providing funding for critical sectors such as education and healthcare. The paper emphasizes the significance of these policies in reducing income inequality, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating a conducive environment for business growth. As a recommendation, the paper suggests that policymakers prioritize the implementation of these strategies, invest in modern tax administration technologies, and foster collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. These measures can pave the way for a financially robust Nigeria, ensuring sustainable development and an improved quality of life for its citizens.

COMPETENȚELE LEGALE ŞI IMPLEMENTAREA AGENDEI 2030 DE CĂTRE UNIUNEA EUROPEANĂ

Legal competences and implementation of the 2030 Agenda by the European Union Abstract: With the adoption on September 25, 2015 of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development of the UN, a general framework of Sustainable Development Goals and related goals was established, which the European Union, through its member states, undertook to implement. The 17 objectives, included in the mentioned document, are not “legally binding”, and their implementation is affected by the legal powers assigned to the coordination of the EU and the member states. The provisions of the treaties, as well as the jurisprudence of the EU Court of Justice, theoretically allow the European Commission to assume a greater role in both the internal and external dimensions of its sustainable development policies. However, legal coordination powers are not specifically invoked in the European Commission’s implementation strategy.

Exploring effective incentive policies for sustainable development of green buildings in China: based on evolutionary game theory and numerical simulation analysis

PurposeThis study reveals the green building development path and analyzes the optimal government subsidy equilibrium through evolutionary game theory and numerical simulation. This was done to explore the feasible measures and optimal incentives to achieve higher levels of green building in China.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the practice of green building in China was analyzed, and the specific influencing factors and incentive measures for green building development were extracted. Second, China-specific evolutionary game models were constructed between developers and homebuyers under the market regulation and government incentive mechanism scenarios, and the evolutionary paths were analyzed. Finally, real-case numerical simulations were conducted, subsidy impacts were mainly analyzed and optimal subsidy equilibriums were solved.Findings(1) Simultaneously subsidizing developers and homebuyers proved to be the most effective measure to promote the sustainability of green buildings. (2) The sensitivity of developers and homebuyers to subsidies varied across scenarios, and the optimal subsidy level diminished marginally as building greenness and public awareness increased. (3) The optimal subsidy level for developers was intricately tied to the building greenness benchmark. A higher benchmark intensified the developer’s responsiveness to losses, at which point increasing subsidies were justified. Conversely, a reduction in subsidy might have been appropriate when the benchmark was set at a lower level.Practical implicationsThe expeditious advancement of green buildings holds paramount importance for the high-quality development of the construction industry. Nevertheless, the pace of green building expansion in China has experienced a recent deceleration. Drawing insights from the practices of green building in China, the exploration of viable strategies and the determination of optimal government subsidies stand as imperative initiatives. These endeavors aim to propel the acceleration of green building proliferation and materialize high-quality development at the earliest juncture possible.Originality/valueThe model is grounded in China’s green building practices, which makes the conclusions drawn more specific. Furthermore, research results provide practical references for governments to formulate green building incentive policies.

Population Changes Under the Impact of Industrialization in Vietnam: A Case Study of Binh Duong Province

Population change is a key component of Vietnam's economic development paradigm. However, in each locality, population shifts can be stimulating while also posing hurdles to socioeconomic development programs. This article assesses population changes in Binh Duong province and suggests plans for development and population control. The findings suggest that Binh Duong has a diversified population and is constantly receiving new population classes. Binh Duong's population increased the most rapidly between 1997 and 2023, following a centuries-long steady pace. This is also a time of dramatic demographic change, with the population becoming more multi-ethnic, multi-regional, multinational, and multicultural. Binh Duong's socioeconomic development successes reflect the contributions of all segments of the community, with immigrants playing a significant role. Binh Duong province must develop and implement policies for sustainable population management and development, including the establishment of a population database system linked to economic and social development strategies, the incorporation of population policies into economic, social, and cultural development programs and plans, and the linking of population development and management policies to sustainable population policies.

Optimizing the Valuation and Implementation Path of the Gross Ecosystem Product: A Case Study of Tonglu County, Hangzhou City

Ecosystem products and services are fundamental to human survival and development. The gross ecosystem product can be defined as the total value of products and services provided by ecosystems for human wellbeing and sustainable socioeconomic development. This includes the value of production system products, ecosystem regulation services, and ecosystem cultural services. The valuation of gross ecosystem product offers crucial technical support for constructing mechanisms by which to realize them, and it holds significant importance in promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. In this study, we introduce the definition and accounting methods of the gross ecosystem product and explore the application of the gross ecosystem product and ecosystem asset accounting in ecological benefit assessment, using Tonglu County in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, as an example. Finally, we provide recommendations by which to strengthen gross ecosystem product accounting and explore mechanisms for realizing ecological values based on this foundation. The results indicate that in 2021, the total gross ecosystem product value of Tonglu County reached CNY 55.129 billion, equivalent to 1.33 times the gross domestic product of that year. Among the various services, regulatory services contributed the most to the total ecological products, with climate regulation being the largest contributor at CNY 27.199 billion, accounting for 49.34%. Tonglu County boasts abundant natural resources, which hold significant value. By conducting an audit of the total ecological products, we can precisely determine the value of the ecosystem. This aids relevant departments in estimating the value of ecological products in Tonglu County’s ecosystem. Such information can support the formulation of ecological protection and sustainable development policies in Tonglu County, while also serving as a reference for estimating the total ecological products and enhancing the ecological value in other counties.

Assessing the Impacts of Eco-innovations, Economic Growth, Urbanization on Ecological Footprints in G-11: Exploring the Sustainable Development Policy Options

Assessing the Impacts of Eco-innovations, Economic Growth, Urbanization on Ecological Footprints in G-11: Exploring the Sustainable Development Policy Options

What are the main drivers of private saving in Egypt?

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the main drivers of private saving in Egypt (2005–2020).Design/methodology/approachIt employs an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach for quarterly data on private saving, lagged private saving, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth, public saving, inflation, real interest rate, money supply, current account deficit and unemployment.FindingsPrivate saving in Egypt displays persistency and public saving depresses private saving in the short run and long run. Real interest rate, inflation and unemployment have negative and statistically significant impacts on private saving in the short run and long run. The current account deficit displays a negative effect on private saving but is significant only in the short run. Other incorporated variables, like real GDP and money supply, are not statistically significant. This could be attributed to the high consumption rather than saving motive of the Egyptian population and their tendency to rely more on other informal saving channels.Research limitations/implicationsFindings are of policy relevance as unleashing the determinants of private saving guides policymakers in formulating the appropriate sustainable development policies. It also assists in identifying the main obstacles hindering the promotion of private saving and hence major areas for policy intervention, like financial inclusion, poverty eradication, employment generation and structural reforms.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature: (1) it tackles private saving figure rather than aggregate saving figure that is covered by similar studies due to lack of consistent data, (2) given the relatively low quality, unavailability and inconsistency of data on private saving in developing countries, investigating the determinants of private saving should be carried out on an individual country basis which is done by this study, (3) this study fulfills the gap in literature related to the lack of up-to-date studies on private saving in Egypt and (4) it relies on quarterly data that could produce more reliable results.

Integrated Reporting and Group Decision-Making for Sustainable Development: A Bibliometric Review

The demands of society are constantly evolving, imposing significant pressures on business organizations within the context of sustainable development policy. As a result, organizations have begun to move towards promoting information disclosure through integrated reporting, transitioning from sustainability reports to financial reports. Simultaneously, decisions made to address specific problems are no longer the sole responsibility of a single individual. Challenges now revolve around group decision-making with the aim of achieving a consensus solution. To comprehend the landscape of integrated reporting and group decision-making in the scientific literature concerning sustainable development, a bibliometric review was conducted across major scientific databases from 2008 to 2023. The analysis utilized Bibliometrix, based on the R language, and Biblioshiny for graphic generation. The results indicate a quantitative increase in publications addressing integrated reporting and group decision-making in the context of sustainable development. However, a thematic isolation among existing studies was evident, pointing to an opportunity for future research to bridge the gap and establish more robust connections between the subjects. 
 Keywords: integrated reporting, group decision-making, sustainable development, bibliometric review

Yenilenebilir Enerji Tüketimi ve Piyasa Kapitalizasyonu ile Karbon Emisyonu Arasındaki İlişki: G20 Ülkeleri Örneği”

The research question of whether carbon emissions affect the economic growth and financial development of countries is discussed in the literature. Based on this, this study examines the relationship between carbon emissions (CO2) market capitalisation and renewable energy consumption, which are financial development indicators. The model established with the carbon emissions, renewable energy consumption, market value, fixed capital investments and gross domestic product indicators of the G20 countries between 1992 and 2018 was tested with panel data cointegration analysis and panel causality analysis. As a result of the empirical analysis, it has been found that there is a statistically significant and negative relationship between renewable energy consumption, market capitalisation and carbon emissions, and there is a bidirectional causality relationship between market capitalisation and carbon emissions. The results are that the effective use of energy and the developments in the financial system will contribute to sustainable development policies.

Tourism and sustainable development: a bibliometric and complex systems methodology approach

ABSTRACT Tourism is a significant economic activity, but its complex relationships with the environment and natural resources raise concerns about sustainability. This study explores the interplay between natural, cultural, and social capital in sustainable tourism development systems (STDS) using a Complex Systems methodology, specifically Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD). The results demonstrate that tourism management and development can enhance sustainable development, but tourism's impact is mixed. Positive impacts include increased local economic development, cultural tourism, and protected areas. Negative impacts include increased environmental pollution, negative impact on indigenous culture, and a complex relationship with social capital. This systemic model contributes to formulating policies for sustainable economic development in tourist destinations. It highlights the need for integrated management approaches that balance economic, environmental, and social objectives.

Does manufacturing agglomeration promote green productivity growth in China? Fresh evidence from partially linear functional-coefficient models

The influence of manufacturing agglomeration on economic efficiency is substantial, yet its effects on Green Total Factor Productivity (GTFP) are still subject to debate. It is vital to comprehend the relationship between these two factors to craft effective sustainable development policies. Employing the newly developed partially linear functional-coefficient panel data approach, this study examines the nonlinear relationship between manufacturing agglomeration and GTFP, with a comprehensive consideration of the heterogeneity inherent to city geographical attributes and urban scale. Our results reveal that manufacturing agglomeration, on average, fosters GTFP, while the positive effect consists of two opposite components. Agglomeration promotes the diffusion of technology at any stage of urban development, but it can lead to congestion effects in well-developed economies, thereby diminishing efficiency. Our nonlinear approach indicates the turning points of the negative impact. Additionally, the heterogeneity of the relationship between agglomeration and GTFP across cities with varied locations and scales suggested that strategies for manufacturing agglomeration and green development should be tailor-made for individual city types.

Analyzing Disaster Mitigation Policies in Japan and China from an Eco-DRR Perspective: A Comparative Study of Shanghai and Tokyo

Global climate change-induced natural disasters require international efforts and the adoption of Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) policies for sustainable development. This study examines the status of Eco-DRR in disaster prevention policies through word cloud analysis, providing insights for policymakers to enhance disaster prevention amid increasing climate-related challenges. Tokyo and Japan prioritize soft aspects, while Shanghai and China emphasize engineering for flood prevention, revealing a gap in Eco-DRR application. Despite these differing approaches, the shared focus on water-related disasters indicates a shift towards urban resilience. Future research should assess policy effectiveness and the impact of Eco-DRR on disaster risk reduction and ecosystem protection.

ESG trends in Russia: Assessment, prospects and relations with stakeholders

Subject. The article addresses corporate governance, compliance with social and environmental standards. Objectives. The focus is on assessing the impact of sustainable development policy on economic performance. Methods. We apply methods of systems, comparative, structural, and logical analyses. Results. The paper established that compliance with the principles of sustainable development increases the company value, its competitiveness and investment appeal. Conclusions. In today's economic environment, the transition from "capitalism of business owners" to "stakeholder capitalism" is relevant for companies.

Firm Characteristics and Sustainable Development of Zenith Bank Plc in Nigeria

Firms are increasingly implementing sustainable development strategies in response to increased business rivalry in trade and commercial activities and stakeholder pressure. Firms that have regard for future resource availability are mindful of resource sustainability. Hence, this study investigated the nexus between firm characteristics and sustainable development of Zenith Bank PLC in Nigeria. Secondary time series data for this study were collected from annual financial statement and accounts of Zenith Bank for a period of ten years from 2013 to 2022. The information collected on the study variables; firm size (FMSZ), financial leverage (FLEV), return on total assets (ROTA) and sustainability disclosure (SUSD) were evaluated using the Ordinary Least Square regression method in an ex post facto study design. The result obtained shows that FMSZ and FLEV has positive and significant relationship with sustainable development, while ROTA has positive but not significant relationship with sustainable development. The study concluded that firm characteristics have a significant relationship with sustainable development of Zenith Bank in Nigeria. It was recommended among others that the management of Zenith bank should be aware that factors such as company size, financial leverage and profitability are important determining elements when deciding on her corporate sustainable development policies and strategies.

Enhancing resource efficiency through the utilization of the green bond market: An empirical analysis of Asian economies

This research explores the effects of the green bonds market on resource efficiency across 12 actively involved Asian economies from 2015 to 2022. The empirical results indicate a positive connection between green bond issuance and resource efficiency, suggesting that a 1% increase in green bonds corresponds to significant short-term (0.33%) and long-term (0.43%) improvements. Surprisingly, a negative relationship is observed between GDP growth and resource efficiency, implying that economic expansion may contribute to heightened resource consumption. The study highlights the favorable impact of renewable power generation on resource efficiency, driven by the sustainability of renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, challenges arise from poverty ratios and consumer price indices, impeding the adoption of resource-efficient technology. Furthermore, while cell phone penetration initially benefits resource efficiency, a negative correlation emerges in the long term due to increased non-renewable energy consumption. In light of these findings, the study recommends practical policies for sustainable development, including actively promoting the green bonds market, targeted investments in renewable energy, and initiatives to address economic disparities while encouraging resource-efficient practices.

Strategic resource management for economic sustainability: Assessing the impact of technological advancement and energy efficiency

In the last two decades, numerous empirical studies have been done exploring the relationship between natural resources and economic growth. Still, the contradictory findings lead the policymakers and governments to adopt inadequate and inappropriate policies for sustainable development. Following the trend, the present study examines the nexus of natural resources and trade with the economic performance of the top global economies during 1988–2021. Using the second and third-generation econometric approaches, this study found the validity of the long-run equilibrium relationship between mineral rents, trade, oil rents, and economic performance. This study employs the cross-section augmented autoregressive distributed lag estimator and concludes that natural resources are adversely affecting the economic performance of the region. However, trade has a beneficial impact on the economic performance. The results are found robust, where energy efficiency and technological advancement are progressively influencing economic performance. This study suggests resource management and improved trade policies to attain economic sustainability.

Implementation of Fluidized Bed Concept to Improve Heat Transfer in Ecological Adsorption Cooling and Desalination Systems

Sustainable development policy focuses on reducing the carbon footprint generated by the global industry and energy sector. Replacing conventional energy sources with environmentally friendly ones requires advanced research to increase energy efficiency and reduce the instability and intermittence of renewable sources. Moreover, adsorption chillers are an opportunity to introduce net-zero emission technologies to the refrigeration, air-conditioning, and desalination industries. Adsorption devices could be popularized if a method of effective heat transfer in the volume of the adsorption bed is developed. The innovative concept of introducing fluidized beds into the adsorption system can achieve the most promising results in improving energy efficiency. To confirm the adopted assumption, heat transfer coefficient calculations for the packed and fluidized bed were carried out in this paper based on experimental tests and literature data. The empirical research aims to extend the fundamental knowledge in the implementation of fluidization under low-pressure conditions, characteristic of the adsorption systems’ working cycle. Experiments were conducted on a unique test stand equipped with the Intensified Heat Transfer Adsorption Bed (IHTAB) reactor prototype. Five adsorption bed samples were analyzed. The reference sample consisted only of silica gel, and the subsequent ones contained aluminum or carbon nanotubes with 5 and 10% additions. In the case of samples with admixtures, the fluidized state increased the heat transfer coefficient on average from approx. 36.9 W/m2 K to approx. 245.4 W/m2 K.

Evaluation, Driving Mechanism and Spatial Correlation Analysis of Atmospheric Environmental Efficiency in the “2+26” Cities Based on the Nonradial MEA Model

The “2+26” cities are 26 cities in Beijing, Tianjin and the surrounding cities, constituting a region characterized by economic prosperity and diverse industries but plagued by severe atmospheric pollution. As a focal area for atmospheric pollution control, a scientific assessment of atmospheric environmental efficiency in the “2+26” cities that measures the degree of coordination between the economy and air pollution is very important for winning the battle of blue sky defense. Based on this, this study comprehensively used the nonradial multi-directional efficiency analysis (MEA) model, Global Reference Malmquist Model and spatial correlation analysis to evaluate the atmospheric environmental efficiency, calculate the driving factors and explore the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the “2+26” cities from 2009 to 2018. The research findings indicate the following: (1) Atmospheric environmental efficiency showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing, with a significant improvement potential of 26.7% in the future. (2) There was a significant discrepancy between the best- and worst-performing cities, with the best being 0.910 and the worst being 0.573, demonstrating imbalanced development between cities. The relatively low-efficiency cities were mainly located in Hebei, Shanxi and Henan provinces. (3) A value of technological efficiency change (EC) less than 1 was the main restrictive factor for improving atmospheric environmental efficiency, whereas a value of technological change (TC) greater than 1 enhanced it. (4) The atmospheric environmental efficiency presented a distinct spatial distribution pattern of high–high and low–low aggregation, forming high-value areas centered in the Beijing–Tianjin region and along the Zibo–Zhengzhou line. The western and central regions were relatively low, whereas the northern and eastern regions were relatively high, with significant regional differences in spatial distribution. The conclusions from this article’s empirical analysis can help concerned developing countries determine key factors to improve their atmospheric environmental efficiency and then formulate policies for sustainable economic and environmental development.