Pursuit Of Sustainable Development Research Articles

Comparative assessment and policy analysis of forecasting quarterly renewable energy demand: Fresh evidence from an innovative seasonal approach with superior matching algorithms

In the pursuit of sustainable development, accurate renewable energy demand forecasting holds great significance for climate change mitigation and promoting sustainability. However, renewable energy forecasting has been consistently challenged by seasonality and nonlinearity. Identifying the periodic and nonlinear characteristics concealed within renewable energy sources accurately is still an unexplored problem. Consequently, an innovative nonlinear discrete seasonal grey model is proposed for renewable energy forecasting, which incorporates seasonal dummy variables and a power exponent term for handling the seasonality and nonlinear patterns in time series. Furthermore, an intelligent algorithm matching framework is proposed to augment the flexibility of the newly developed model. For practical purposes, the new methodology is contrasted against a range of benchmarks encompassing statistical, machine-learning, and traditional grey models in forecasting the quarterly total renewable energy consumption in the United States. The proposed model exhibits over 27% improvement rates over its counterparts, achieving the most superior predictive accuracies of 1.45%, 39.27, and 0.79 in MAPEP, RMSEP, and MASEP metrics, respectively. Furthermore, the probability density and sample size analyses are conducted to validate the robustness of the new model, confirming its adaptability and stability towards algorithm randomness and historical information volume. Consequently, the novel model is employed to forecast the short-to-long-terms renewable energy consumption in the U.S., showcasing an upward trend and seasonal fluctuations of the consumption for the forthcoming 24 quarters from 2023Q4 to 2029Q3. These insights can offer valuable implications to the stakeholders such as energy suppliers, utility managers, and policy advocates, highlighting actionable strategies for optimizing renewable energy consumption forecasting and aiding sustainable development initiatives.

Drivers of Sustainable supply chain for sustainable development in industry

This analysis explores the different elements that constitute sustainable supply chains used by companies as genre on the road to sustainable development across different industries. The analysis of a body of literature and empirical data is carried out by a critical objective to determine the fundamental aspects of sustainability practices. The research suggests that we should have the necessary knowledge of these drivers for the stage to be raised of the environmental responsibility, social equity and economic development. Strategies are detailed to enable stakeholders throughout industries in adopting sustainable supply chain methods. Through this process, the long-term resilience of supply chains and the sustainability of the profitable position are promoted. The results are of this type, clarifying the crucial role of sustainable supply chain in reaching the global sustainability targets and promoting sustainability model for the companies and societies all over the world. Through this research we strive to add to the already established supplies chain management literature and aid the change process management in the pursuit of sustainable development in the different industries. Result of the cocreation with this domain has brought up meaningful implications to the literature. One of the new concepts we are proposing is a dynamic setting for a three-level model serving as a tactical plan for strategic sustainable supply management. Our study has contributed a theoretical framework that distinguishes practical facts of supply chain management and is for the purposes of future research and appraisals in terms of UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Orchestrating Network Resources: How European Union Green Cooperation Affects Member States’ Sustainable Development

As an overarching goal of the European Union’s (EU) policies, sustainable development has become one of the trickiest challenges in the EU. Despite the burgeoning literature on sustainable development in EU member states, few studies have explored the relationship between green cooperation and sustainable development. From the resource orchestration perspective, we aim to investigate how EU green cooperation affects member states’ pursuit of sustainable development. Empirically, we constructed a sample of well-documented EU joint green projects, and found that the participation of the higher education sector (HES), business sector (BUS), and government (GOV) in EU green cooperation contributes to achieving its member states’ sustainable development goals in different ways. Specifically, the contributions of the HES and BUS, compared to those of the GOV, are more essential for EU green cooperation projects, because of their dominant roles in green knowledge generation and carbon emissions make them pivotal for the EU member states’ sustainable development. Moreover, our findings suggest that green cooperation among the HES, BUS, and GOV has a more significant impact on EU member states’ sustainable development when those states possess a stronger capacity for transnational knowledge spillovers and a higher national digital level. These findings have important implications for the design of green policies in pursuit of sustainability within the EU region.

Analysis of the evolution path of new energy system under polymorphic uncertainty——A case study of China

The exploration and promotion of new energy constitute a significant initiative for numerous countries in their pursuit of sustainable development and efforts to alleviate climate change. However, the influence of a multitude of uncertain factors on the evolutionary path of new energy is currently poorly studied. By establishing a dynamic evolution model for new energy under polymorphic uncertainty, this paper analyses the complex interaction between new energy, economic growth, and carbon trading over the period 2020-2060, using China as a case study. We employ numerical simulation and sensitivity analysis to investigate the evolutionary trajectories of the new energy system under various parameter value scenarios. We show that the evolutionary trajectories will undergo substantial fluctuations before 2030, subsequently stabilizing from 2030 onwards. The study highlights that an excessively rapid pace of new energy development is detrimental to new energy systems, whereas energy storage system deployment has the opposite effect. There exists a significant risk of the system collapsing as a result of slow new energy development, over-building energy storage facilities, or over-intervening in carbon trading. We also find that overdevelopment of energy storage system may have greater negative impacts on the economic system than underdevelopment.

Assessment of Sustainable Development Goals and Population in Punjab

Assessment of Sustainable Development Goals and Population in Punjab

Durability and performance characteristics of eco-friendly geopolymer binders based on electric-arc-furnace slag and dealuminated kaolin

The pursuit of sustainable development is an essential aspect of modern society's progress, aiming to achieve goals without causing waste, pollution, harm, or environmental degradation. The study focused on developing environmentally friendly binders by utilizing two industrial solid wastes: electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) and dealuminated kaolin (DK). The investigation aimed to assess the physio-mechanical, chemical properties, and durability of the binders against elevated temperatures and exposure to seawater, thereby contributing to sustainable practices. The eco-friendly geopolymer binders, EAFS and DK were blended in various proportions and mixed with alkaline activators. The resulting binders were cured at 40°C and a relative humidity of 98±2% for 180 days. Some of the binders were subjected to temperature increments in the order of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000°C, while the other geopolymer binders were immersed in seawater for upto 180 days. Setting times, compressive strength tests, evaluation of free slag and combined water contents, and analysis of the effects of elevated temperatures and seawater exposure on the phase composition of the geopolymer binders were conducted using XRD, TGA/DTG, and SEM/EDX. The finding showed the replacement of 10–20% of EAFS with DK resulted in a reduction in both the initial and final setting times. Increasing the amount of alkali activation content of EAFS upto (1.00 mol/Kg Na2O) (ES3 mix) leads to an increase in the values of compressive strength. Further increase in the alkali content (1.50 mol/Kg Na2O) reduces the compressive strength. The incorporation of DK enhanced the compressive strength value upto 30% DK (ES-DK3 mix). The increase in DK content beyond 30% resulted in reduced compressive strength values. ES-DK3 mix improved the thermal stability of the geopolymer matrix as well as demonstrated higher relative compressive strength values, especially at 1000°C. In addition to the mix, ES-DK3 showed superior durability against the attack of seawater. The compressive strength showed a sharp increase for specimens submerged in seawater for upto 180-days, this is attributed to the high reactivity of DK which acts as a nucleating agent that fills the open matrix preventing the penetration of SO42- and Cl- ions to inhibit the formation of nonbinding material.

Sustainable Development in Dye Waste Managemen : A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Adsorption and γ-Radiolysis

Pyrromethene 567 (PM567), a BODIPY class of dye; is widely used in medicine, chemistry, material science, and high-power dye lasers. During its use, PM567 dye waste is generated in ethanol solvent which needs to be treated before its disposal. In our study, we -radiolysis, an advanced oxidation process (AOP), and adsorption, a simple and easy option. Interestingly, -radiolysis were not efficient for dye effluent treatment in organic solvents. This inefficiency was attributed to competing reactions leading to the scavenging of dye-degrading radicals. -dose rate (3.5 kGy) feasible in the system; 62% is the maximum removal efficiency achieved by this method. For a comparison, we also investigated the adsorption efficiency of PM567 dye from ethanol solvent using commercially available adsorbents. Among these, powdered activated carbon (PAC) demonstrated the highest removal efficiency, reaching 95%, much higher than that of -radiolysis method. In line with the pursuit of sustainable development, we synthesized granular activated carbons (AC1, AC2, AC3) from coconut shells, a lignocellulosic biowaste. The characterization of these carbons revealed that AC3, with a higher iodine value and CCl4 activity, possessed a systematic pore structure (SEM analysis), a larger specific surface area (1708 m2 .g-1), and a higher micro-pore volume (0.61 cc.g-1). AC3 hence, emerged as the most effective adsorbent, achieving 95% efficiency comparable to PAC.

From policy stringency to environmental resilience: Unraveling the dose-response dynamics of environmental parameters in OECD countries

In the pursuit of sustainable development and the mitigation of negative externalities arising from environmental stressors, a multitude of member countries within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have embraced various environmental policies. Nevertheless, previous empirical research has largely overlooked investigating the causal relationship between the Environmental Policy Stringency (EPS) and environmental indicators. To bridge this gap, we conduct an empirical study to examine the dose-response relationship between EPS, as a continuous treatment variable, and selected environmental indicators. Our findings reveal evidence of a mixed treatment effect of policy stringency on the environment. Notably, the implementation of EPS leads to a reduction in carbon emissions per capita and an overall decline in ecological footprint. However, despite OECD countries moving towards a negative trajectory to preserve the environment, carbon intensity remains steadfastly on a positive path. Moreover, the intensification of policy stringency demonstrates positive effects on total renewable energy production, encompassing solar, wind, and eco-innovation. Building upon these empirical results, we offer several policy implications for the adoption and implementation of environmental policies within OECD countries.

THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN UNIVERSITIES TO PURSUE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

<p>Flourishing businesses, in contrast to those solely prioritizing profit, have greater potential for innovation, more opportunities, reduced risk, and enhanced resilience in our rapidly changing world.  This paper outlines the critical intersection between entrepreneurship education (EE) and the pursuit of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within higher education institutions. This paper examines how universities can leverage EE as a stimulant for advancing sustainable development initiatives and fostering a culture of responsible entrepreneurship among students. Drawing on existing literature, the paper explores the multifaceted contributions of EE to the SDGs across various domains, including poverty alleviation, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. It highlights the role of EE in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to address complex social and environmental challenges through entrepreneurial endeavors. Furthermore, the paper identifies the strategies and best practices for integrating sustainability principles into EE curricula, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement. It also discusses the role of universities as hubs of innovation and research in developing solutions to pressing global issues and fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems that support sustainable development initiatives. Overall, the paper underscores the transformative potential of entrepreneurship education in universities to drive meaningful progress towards the achievement of SDGs. It provides insights and recommendations for educators and practitioners seeking to harness the power of entrepreneurship education to create positive social, environmental, and economic impacts in the pursuit of sustainable development.</p>

Multi-Objective Optimization of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for a Hybrid Solar–Waste Energy Plant

In pursuit of sustainable development and mitigation of the intermittency challenge associated with solar energy, this study proposes a hybrid solar system integrating waste heat incineration alongside solar power generation and distinct heat provision. Leveraging the superior energy efficiency of the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) in medium- and low-temperature scenarios, a parabolic trough collector (PTC) is selected for its cost-effectiveness and long-term operational reliability. Dowtherm A and toluene are identified as the optimal working fluids for the PTC and ORC, respectively. To optimize this complex system, a combination of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and multi-objective optimization via non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is employed, streamlining the optimization process. Thermal dynamic simulations are executed using Engineering Equation Solver (EES, V11) to validate the proposed system’s performance. TOPSIS is employed to identify the optimal solution from the Pareto frontier. The results indicate that the hourly cost of the system stands at USD 43.08, with an exergy efficiency of 22.98%. The economic analysis reveals that the solar collector constitutes the most significant portion of the total initial cost, representing 53.2%, followed by the turbine, thermoelectric generator (TEG), and waste heat incineration, in descending order of costliness.

Editorial for the Special Issue “Sustainable Mining as the Key for the Ecological Transition: Current Trends and Future Perspectives”

A crucial aspect in the pursuit of sustainable development is the necessary shift toward an “ecological transition”, a transformation in societal paradigms to align human activities with the global ecosystem [...]

Empowering a sustainable urban future: The key role of coordinated settlement development for optimising energy efficiency and socio-economic welfare

The nexus between urbanisation and energy transition represents a critical juncture in the pursuit of sustainable development. As cities continue to grow and expand, their energy needs rise, driving consumption and emissions. Simultaneously, efforts to transition towards renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency are underway to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, urbanisation poses a challenge to these efforts, as sprawling cities require more energy for transport, infrastructure and buildings. Reconciling the need for urban development with sustainable energy practices requires integrated spatial planning approaches that consider the spatial layout of residential areas, land use patterns and transport systems. To address this nexus, our study explores the complex interplay between energy efficiency and urban development, alongside communities’ quality of life, which is crucial for urban sustainability. We have developed a settlement network model that integrates socio-economic factors and the spatial distribution of energy consumption. Using a U-NSGA 3 algorithm, we have attempted to optimise future settlement network to simultaneously improve the two goals of energy efficiency and socio-economic factors. By optimising settlement networks, we shed light on the relationship between energy efficiency and communities’ quality of life arising from different urban development patterns, offering insights for strategic spatial planning and technological advances. Using insights from a Swiss case study, we delineate modified strategies encompassing coordinated development, densification and the use of electric vehicles and building insulation. The results offer practical solutions for policymakers and spatial planners dedicated to fostering sustainable urban development. The overall conclusion underscores the critical significance of a coordinated approach to urban development in attaining overarching sustainability objectives.

Urban Sustainability Development in Morocco, a Review

During the last decades, Morocco has recorded substantial urbanization and faced challenges related to urban sprawl and encroachment on fertile lands. This paper reviews several studies assessing urban sustainability development in 27 Moroccan urban areas using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 11.3.1, i.e., the ratio of Land Consumption Rate (LCR) to Population Growth Rate (PGR). Among the 27 urban areas reviewed, analysis of SDG 11.3.1 data revealed that only 7 exhibited trends towards sustainable urban development, while the remaining 20 showed a divergence from the sustainability objectives. We analyze the studies, conducted between 2020 and 2023, describing in depth the relationship between LCRs and PGRs, and provide a comprehensive summary of the SDG 11.3.1 outcome, discussing along the way methodological variations, and introducing a new concept for the evaluation of urban land consumption. The review reveals disparate regional urban development trends, emphasizing the need for local land tenure rules. Additionally, the study discusses how the SDG 11.3.1 reacts under the influence of several parameters such as land characteristics, climate, and geographic location. While the study acknowledges the limitations of SDG 11.3.1, it found that the indicator provides valuable insights into trends and comparisons, and should offer assistance to stakeholders, urban planners, and decision makers in their pursuit of sustainable development. However, these identified limitations underscore the need for a more comprehensive and multidimensional urban sustainability development indicator, capable of better addressing the complexities of the urban environment.

Smart city air quality management through leveraging drones for precision monitoring

Air pollution stands out as one of the most critical challenges impacting public health, the overall quality of life, and the pursuit of sustainable development in urban environments. Each existing air quality monitoring method carries inherent limitations alongside its advantages. This study addresses the drawbacks of both satellite-based and fixed monitoring stations by proposing a drone-based air quality monitoring solution. The entire urban area was surveyed using a multi-rotor drone equipped with sensors capable of measuring atmospheric components, resulting in the creation of high-resolution air pollution maps. The expansive urban area, exceeding the coverage capacity of a single flight, was systematically subdivided into subregions. Distinct measurements were conducted in each subregion, and a consolidated mapping was generated by combining the individual results obtained. The drone, operating autonomously, conducted precise measurements on a citywide scale, enhancing the consistency of pollutant mapping by eliminating potential errors associated with manual control. Pollution sources were identified throughout the city, and real-time data revealed how transportation-induced air pollution affected different regions. Environmental factors like wind and pressure differences were identified as influential in the varied spread of air pollutants across different parts of the city. The study underscores the pivotal role of transportation in urban air pollution, laying the groundwork for the development of targeted pollution control strategies in urban environments. Furthermore, the research validates the potential of UAVs in advancing the efficient management of smart cities, particularly through the monitoring and analysis of air pollution stemming from transportation.

Evaluation of LSTM and Wavelet Methods for Wind Speed Forecasting in Bahia, Brazil

The pursuit of sustainable development is intricately linked to the effective management of renewable energy resources, with wind energy emerging as a key player on the global stage. However, the inherent volatility and intermittency of wind patterns pose significant challenges to accurate wind speed forecasting, which is crucial for the stable operation of wind turbines. Our study presents a novel forecasting model that integrates cuttingedge data decomposition techniques with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks in this context. Our approach leverages advanced methodologies such as Wavelet Transform (WT), Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), and Enhanced Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) to segment time series data into distinct high and low-frequency components. These segmented signals are then individually forecasted using Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM) networks, with the amalgamation of these predictions providing the final forecast output. Our empirical findings demonstrate that the hybrid model, particularly utilizing EMD and EEMD, exhibits superior performance compared to existing forecasting models in terms of both accuracy and stability. By effectively combining sophisticated data decomposition techniques with state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms, our proposed model offers a robust solution for wind speed forecasting. This facilitates the efficient management of renewable energy resources and advances the cause of sustainable development initiatives worldwide.

A Socio Economic Exploration of Bediya Community of Rasabeda Village in Pursuit of Sustainable Development By IJISRT

Tribal communities have been an integral and captivating part of Indian society since the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. India is home to the second-largest tribal population in the world. Spread all across the country, these communities have rich traditions, vibrant cultures, and unique lifestyles. One such major tribal community is Bediya. This study is focused on bediya settlement in Rasabeda, a village in the hills of the Chota Nagpur plateau. The settlement is highly vulnerable and underdeveloped. The study aims to examine the socio- economic challenges faced by the Bediya residents, highlighting the community's current state of pervasive poverty and undernourishment. The aim of the research is to present a detailed analysis of Rasabeda by employing a multifaceted approach encompassing economic, demographic, social, livelihood, health, education, and agricultural dimensions. The research seeks to contribute valuable insights into fostering lasting development in the Bediya community. The findings of this study hold significance while implementing effective strategies for sustainable growth and improvement within similar contexts.

A review of the digitalization of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) toward sustainability

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are of paramount importance in the global economy.  The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted numerous economies, resulting in substantial transformations across various aspects and elements of SMEs. The acceleration of digital transformation has been observed as a notable response to the ongoing pandemic. The utilization of digital transformation as a means of fostering innovation has the potential to facilitate sustainability, enhance competitiveness, and enable customization in both products and services. Nevertheless, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the extent to which SMEs have embraced digital technology in order to support and promote sustainability objectives. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to present an in-depth review of the digitization of SMEs in relation to sustainability, employing the systematic literature review approach. The analysis conducted encompassed three primary domains: the technological facets of digitalization, sustainability in accordance with the triple bottom line (comprising economic, environmental, and social factors), and the business attributes specific to SMEs. This review analysis elucidated the specific technological advancements that facilitate SMEs in their pursuit of sustainable development. In addition, this study synthesizes material that discusses the sustainability aspects of the triple bottom line and the specific areas of Industry 4.0 technology that have been utilized. Furthermore, the literature identifies other aspects including corporate strategy and management, organizational structure, organizational culture, skills and qualifications, and leadership considerations. Additionally, it synthesized potential avenues for future research that have emerged from the study. This study makes a significant contribution to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and offers vital insights for policymakers and SMEs seeking to transition their production practices towards sustainability and digitalization.

Religion, Ecology and Hindu Nationalism in India

Abstract In this paper I examine the construction of Hinduism as inherently “environmentally friendly” within religions and ecology discourses and how this construction has been appropriated by the Hindu nationalist movement in India to serve ends that are at odds with the pursuit of sustainable development. I begin by tracing the emergence of religions and ecology discourses and the assertion that Asian or Eastern religions are inherently environmentally friendly. This is followed by critiques of this neo-traditionalist approach for being anachronistic and essentialist, as well as for promoting a “myth of primitive ecological wisdom” that can have damaging effects on communities who live close to nature. This is because it reduces them to idealisations to serve other ends and has little impact on effecting policies that can improve their lives as well as addressing anthropogenic climate change. Next, I consider the construction of Hinduism as environmentally friendly within the context of the ascendency of Hindu nationalism. I examine the ways in which the claim to support sustainable development, alongside invoking neo-traditionalist religions and ecology discourse, is at odds with the actual policies pursued by Hindu nationalists, whose Bharatiya Janata Party has been in power since 2014. I will demonstrate that in its bid to spread a particular version of Hinduism across India alongside the growth of the market economy, some traditional livelihoods that are more sustainable than modern alternatives, such as nomadic pastoralism or Adivasi (tribal) economies, and the religio-cultural traditions that surround them, are being undermined and threatened with extinction.

Teaching for sustainable development in vocational education

ABSTRACT The pursuit of sustainable development is a necessity for life on Earth and the future of humanity. Education is important in this endeavour; therefore, creating knowledge about teachers’ teaching for sustainable development is essential. This study aimed to investigate how Swedish upper secondary science teachers adjust their teaching of the environmental dimension in sustainable development to the different vocational education programmes their students attend. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 15 in-service science teachers and analysed by thematic coding. The result showed that most teachers (but not all) adjusted their teaching to the students’ vocational educational programme; however, they did it to different extents and in different ways. The result presents teachers’ descriptions of and arguments for adjusting their teaching linked to the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) framework. The PCK framework is used as a theoretical lens in this study. Further research is needed to investigate how science teachers’ adjustments to students’ vocational education affect the students’ knowledge of the environmental dimension in sustainable development and how that affects actions in their future professional life.

The greenhouse gas emissions from meat sheep production contribute double of household consumption in a Eurasian meadow steppe

With the rapid development of the economy, household activities have emerged as an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making them a crucial focal point for research in the pursuit of sustainable development and carbon emission reduction. Hulunber, as a typical steppe region in eastern Eurasia, is representative of studying the GHG emissions from household ranches, which are the basic production units in this region. In this paper, based on survey data of 2018 and 2019, we quantified and assessed GHG emissions from household ranches by combining life cycle assessment (LCA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) approaches, with LCA to define household ranches system boundary and SEM to determine the key driving factors of emissions. The results showed that GHG emissions of meat sheep live weight was 23.54 kg CO2-eq/kg. The major contributor to household GHG emissions was enteric methane (55.23 %), followed by coal use (20.80 %) and manure management systems (9.16 %), and other contributing factors (14.81 %). The SEM results indicated that the GHG emissions from household ranches were derived primarily by economic level, while the economic level was significantly affected by income. This study also found a significant positive and linear correlation between household GHG emissions and the number of meat sheep (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.001). The GHG emissions from meat sheep production (67.52 %) were double times greater than household livelihood consumption (32.48 %). These findings emphasized the importance of reducing emissions from meat sheep production and adjusting the energy mix of household livelihood, contributing to the establishment of a low-carbon household livelihood operation.