Sustainable Actions Research Articles

Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Achieving a Net Zero Carbon Economy in Emerging Economies: A Combination of PLS-SEM and fsQCA Approaches to Digital Inclusion and Climate Resilience

In this paper, we examine the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in sovereignty and carbon neutrality, emphasizing digital inclusion and climate-resilient AI strategies for emerging markets. Considering the previous studies on AI for carbon neutrality and digital inclusion for climate research along with technology policy frameworks as a guide, this paper undertakes Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with AI strategies and carbon neutrality outcomes. At the same time, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) is used to reveal different configurations leading to achieving climate resilience. The model covers various aspects of AI-enabled policy, including technology adoption, policy frameworks, digital literacy, and public engagement. Survey data were collected from key stakeholders in climate policy, technology sectors, and local communities using a structured survey to understand their attitudes towards negative emissions technologies from prominent experts in emerging countries like Vietnam, Italy, Malaysia, and Greece. PLS-SEM results reveal the importance of AI in developing carbon neutrality, a critical AI strategic dimension (Data analytics capability and policy support). Some aspects of the fsQCA findings present heterogeneous outcomes, highlighting complex combinations of digital inclusion, AI adoption, and climate resilience which are industry-specific. This study would further enrich the literature concerning climate strategies by exploring AI, digital inclusion, and carbon neutrality interactions. Theoretically, practical and enriching suggestions for future research are derived to help AI intelligence infuse sustainable climate actions.

High school students’ perceived performance and relevance of chemistry learning competencies to sustainable development, action competence, and critical thinking disposition

High school students’ perceived performance and relevance of chemistry learning competencies to sustainable development, action competence, and critical thinking disposition

Sustainable HR Practices and Employee Retention: The Impact of Social Capital in Pakistan’s Banking Sector

Study experts constitute the active concerns pertaining to human resource management draw as well as conserving talent are rooted in developing and growing the involvement of employees and sustainably leading and organizing the teams within the organization. The motive regarding this research document is to analyze the consequences of managing human resources sustainability upon the loyalty of employees and retaining them in the organization as well as how they share values within the group setting that is social capital. The insights were gathered from the online survey of banking employees in Pakistan. Data was processed by using the PLS-SEM technique. Our findings highlight that social sustainability initiatives significantly enhance the perceived social capital among employees. Importantly, this enhanced social capital subsequently leads to increased levels of employee loyalty and greater retention rates. These results underscore the importance of fostering a socially sustainable workplace environment, not only for its direct benefits but also for its indirect influence through bolstering social connections among employees. This research contributes to the understanding of how organizational efforts toward social sustainability can effectively strengthen employee retention and loyalty, offering practical insights for managers and policymakers seeking to enhance organizational outcomes through sustainable practices. This methodology not only benefits workforce morale besides retention but also makes a contribution positively to the organization's operations and societal impact. In essence, effective management of social sustainability actions can lead to a win-win situation where both organizational outcomes and societal benefits are maximized. This strategy not only benefits worker's morale as well as retention but also makes a contribution positively to the organization's functions and societal impact.

The Application of Nano Drug Delivery Systems in Female Upper Genital Tract Disorders.

The prevalence of female reproductive system disorders is increasing, especially among women of reproductive age, significantly impacting their quality of life and overall health. Managing these diseases effectively is challenging due to the complex nature of the female reproductive system, characterized by dynamic physiological environments and intricate anatomical structures. Innovative drug delivery approaches are necessary to facilitate the precise regulation and manipulation of biological tissues. Nanotechnology is increasingly considered to manage reproductive system disorders, for example, nanomaterial imaging allows for early detection and enhances diagnostic precision to determine disease severity and progression. Additionally, nano drug delivery systems are gaining attention for their ability to target the reproductive system successfully, thereby increasing therapeutic efficacy and decreasing side effects. This comprehensive review outlines the anatomy of the female upper genital tract by highlighting the complex mucosal barriers and their impact on systemic and local drug delivery. Advances in nano drug delivery are described for their sustainable therapeutic action and increased biocompatibility to highlight the potential of nano drug delivery strategies in managing female upper genital tract disorders.

HBIM Methodology Applied to Architectural Heritage

Objectives: The research aims to develop and promote the HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling) methodology for the conservation of architectural heritage. A dissemination model is proposed to share knowledge and good practices, with a view to improve the integrated management of cultural properties and reduce the risks of deterioration. In addition, it seeks to raise awareness among various stakeholders, including professionals and institutions, on the importance of the application of HBIM in heritage preservation. Theoretical Framework: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a methodology that facilitates the creation and management of digital information of historic buildings, integrating geometric, geospatial and material data. The application of HBIM in heritage projects has gained recognition for its benefits in documentation, collaboration and accuracy in conservation interventions. However, it faces challenges due to the diversity and complexity of historic buildings, as well as the lack of specific regulations. Method: The methodology is based on a comprehensive review of the existing literature on BIM applied to heritage. Academic articles, theses and technical papers have been analyzed to consolidate a robust theoretical framework and establish best practices for the conservation of historic buildings. This review identified trends and challenges, and generated recommendations for effective HBIM implementation. Results and Discussion: The findings highlight the potential of HBIM to transform architectural heritage conservation. The methodology allows the creation of detailed 3D models, integrating information on geometry, materials and construction processes, facilitating the understanding of the structure and condition of buildings. However, challenges include the high cost of detailed models and the need for heritage-specific standards, which limits the adoption of HBIM in certain contexts. Research Implications: At the theoretical level, this research enriches knowledge on the integration of advanced technologies in heritage conservation. In practice, HBIM makes it possible to anticipate material aging problems and to prioritize sustainable conservation actions, which underlines the need to train professionals in these technologies. The adoption of HBIM implies developing technical skills in the conservation sector. Originality/Value: This paper highlights the innovation of HBIM in architectural heritage management through the use of advanced technologies such as laser scanning and photogrammetry. The ability to create detailed digital models enables accurate and sustainable interventions in historic buildings to be documented and planned. In addition, HBIM facilitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating technology, history and architectural conservation to effectively and sustainably preserve cultural heritage.

"We are Water Warriors":

Elementary-aged children with a team of science, theater, and literacy educators performed the Chicago Global Water Dances in 2023. Global Water Dances (GWD) is an international initiative to raise awareness about water issues, promote sustainability, and inspire action to protect water resources through dance performed by a local body of Water. Through the Chicago Global Water Dances, children articulated several messages about the necessity of, and right to, clean water and highlighted the collective responsibility to protect this precious resource.

Genome-Wide Population Structure in a Marine Keystone Species, the European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis).

Ostrea edulis, the European flat oyster, was once a widespread economically and ecologically important marine species, but has suffered dramatic declines over the past two centuries. Consequently, there has been a surge in European restoration efforts, many of which focus on restocking as a conservation measure. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data to investigate the population structure, demographic history, and patterns of local adaptation of O. edulis across its natural distribution with increased sampling densities at Scandinavian localities. Results revealed seven distinct genetic clusters, including previously undescribed complex population structure in Norway, and evidence for introgression between genetic clusters in Scandinavia. We detected large structural variants (SVs) on three pseudo-chromosomes. These megabase long regions were characterised by strong linkage disequilibrium and clear geographical differentiation, suggestive of chromosomal inversions potentially associated with local adaptation. The results indicated that genomic traces of past translocations of non-native O. edulis were still present in some individuals, but overall, we found limited evidence of major impacts of translocations on the scale of contemporary population structure. Our findings highlight the importance of considering population structure and signatures of selection in the design of effective conservation strategies to preserve and restore wild native European flat oyster populations, and we provide direct knowledge safeguarding sustainable mitigation actions in this important species.

The 20-Year Trend of Obesity and Recreational Screen Time Among Children Receiving Special Education Services

ABSTRACT This study examined obesity and recreational screen time trends in children receiving special education services from 1999 to 2018. We analysed data from 2565 children aged 5–17 years from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Their body mass index (BMI) and recreational screen time were analysed using ordinal and logistic regressions. The obesity prevalence (aOR = 1.043, 95% CI [1.006, 1.082]) and rate of recreational screen time guideline compliance (less than 2 hours [reference]; aOR = 1.082, 95% CI [1.041, 1.124]) in these children showed a small but significantly increasing trend during the two decades, respectively. This group of children also showed disparities in weight status, where growing trends were found in male, non-White, and 12–17 years old children. Children who did not meet the recreational screen time guideline were more likely to be obese compared to be in a healthy weight condition (aOR = 1.353, 95% CI [1.054, 1.736]). The findings point out the substantial need for sustainable and effective actions to reduce obesity and recreational screen time among children receiving special education services.

Linking theory and practice to advance sustainable healthcare: the development of maturity model version 1.0.

Climate change and increased awareness of planetary health have made reducing ecological footprints a priority for healthcare organizations. However, improving healthcare's environmental impact remains difficult. Numerous researchers argue these difficulties are caused by healthcare's environmental impact being multidimensional, influenced throughout the healthcare chain, and often has downstream consequences that are hard to identify or to measure. Even though existing research describes many successful approaches to reduce healthcare's environmental impact, a robust multidimensional framework to assess this impact is lacking. This research aims at developing a maturity model for sustainable healthcare that could be used for self-assessment by healthcare professionals to identify improvement actions and for sharing best practices in environmental sustainability. A design-oriented approach for maturity model development was combined with an expert panel and six case studies to develop, refine and expand the maturity model for environmentally sustainable healthcare. A maturity model was developed containing four domains: 'Governance', 'Organization Structures', 'Processes', and 'Outcomes and Control'. Applying the model in real-world environments demonstrated the model's understandability, ease of use, usefulness, practicality and ability to identify improvement actions for environmental sustainability in healthcare organizations. This study found that healthcare practitioners could apply the maturity model developed and tested in this study in several hours without training to help them gain valuable insights into the environment footprint of the healthcare setting they worked in. Systematically implementing the model developed in this study could help address the urgent need to mitigate the substantial environmental impact of healthcare. These implementations can help evaluate and improve the maturity model.

Environmental Education and Pro-Environmental Behavior Among Um Peñaplata College Students

This study aimed to determine the level of environmental education, the level of pro-environmental behavior, and to examine the relationship between environmental education and pro-environmental behavior among UM Peñaplata College students. The research approach was quantitative, a descriptive-correlational design was employed. Thus, the researchers used mean, Pearson Product Moment Correlational, and regression for data analysis and interpretation. The results revealed that environmental education and students’ pro-environmental behavior is high. Further, there is a moderate correlation between environmental education and pro-environmental behavior among students. It underscored that students who applied an environmental value tends to be aware of how their behaviour affects the environment. The more the school integrates environmental education, the more it fosters pro-environmental behavior. Therefore, incorporating environmental education into schools enhances students’ sustainable actions towards the environment.

School climate assemblies: an educational tool for empowering pupils and youth to take climate and sustainability action

AbstractThis paper presents school climate assemblies, conceived as an innovative educational tool for the co-creation of climate change and sustainability solutions in educational institutions and communities. It describes an intervention research project that builds on previous processes and experiences of climate citizen assemblies which have been organised in different countries across the world. School climate assemblies are conceived of as a tool that promotes the active engagement of pupils and their communities in co-creating climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies towards jointly defining innovative sustainability and climate change solutions. An intervention, piloted in five secondary schools in the Spanish region of Tarragona, is reported, presenting the main phases and steps followed. To test the effectiveness of the intervention, this paper outlines the policy climate change recommendations that emerged from the co-creation process to identify and agree on a set of actions to tackle climate change and sustainability challenges and the degree of student satisfaction with the intervention. A detailed methodology for organising school climate assemblies that can be replicated in other educational institutions, contexts and regions, is presented, enabling the widespread adoption of this innovative approach. The study emphasises the potential of co-creation methods in the educational context and underscores the critical role of education in fostering sustainability in citizens and empowering students to become active change agents in their local communities. The results lead to policy implications for integrating co-creation approaches into school curricula worldwide, aiming to empower students and drive sustainability action.

7.O. Skills building seminar: Initiating change: Mainstreaming equity and diversity in public health

Abstract Background Consideration of the increasing population cultural and ethnic diversity and the widening of social gaps is essential for narrowing health inequities. While tailored and targeted measures for populations at risk of social disadvantage are needed, mainstreaming and integration of diversity and inclusion perspectives in all public health measures are required. To our knowledge, the EU Joint Action for Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes (JACARDI) is the first large-scale program to apply a systematic and harmonized approach for integrating equity and diversity perspectives. Objectives The main objective of the workshop is skills building in integration of equity and diversity perspectives in practice through: 1) Introducing the key requirements for achieving EU-wide programme change, drawing from several decades of experience in projects conducted in over 30 countries, including those partnered with the World Health Organization, governments and industry. 2) Outlining a practical tool in the format of an equity and diversity matrix designed for integrating equity and diversity perspectives developed within the JACARDI project to support implementation of 142 sub-projects in 21 partner countries. 3) A practical participatory group work based on the JACARDI equity and diversity maturity matrix, followed by a moderated discussion. The workshop acts as a valuable platform for sharing and building collaborative knowledge across European countries and empowering participants as initiators for sustainable, more equitable, and diversity inclusive public health actions. It provides practical and concrete skills on equity and diversity that participants can apply in their work and disseminate within their organizations. The presentations will build knowledge, while group work and the moderated discussion will build skills among participants on the workshop topic. Format of the workshop Two presentations followed by participatory group work and a moderated discussion among workshop participants and presenters. Key messages • Population diversity should be systematically mainstreamed in public health to effectively and sustainably narrow persisting health inequities. • An equity and diversity maturity matrix can be used as a practical tool for systematic integration and monitoring of diversity perspectives in practice.

Changes of lifestyle and mental health among COVID-19 situation: resident-centered health promotion

Abstract Background Yuzawa town, located in the Niigata prefecture of Japan, is famous for its hot springs and ski resorts. A sustainable action plan for resident-centered regional health promotion (Yuzawa family health plan) was initiated in 2002. Surveys have been conducted every five years. This study aims to evaluate changes of their habits and mental health status between in 2017 and in 2022. Methods The survey of Yuzawa family health plan was conducted in 2017 and in 2022. Questionnaires were composed with living alone, living with marriage partner, living with son or daughter, living with grandchildren, living with brother or sister, health consciousness, attention to health, health concern, awakening in a morning, clockwork life, fitness habits, smoking, taking alcohol, anxiety, loneliness, consultation, resolve suffering, economic problem, handle stress, taking a rest, risk breaching, communication, life satisfaction, talking with family, job at home, intercommunion with friends, greeting with neighbors, relationship with neighbors, occupations, good sleep, taking breakfast, nutritional balance, mastication status, confirmation of food compositions, exercise habits, yearly health check-up, dental check-up, brushing teeth habits, and sleep satisfactions. Chi square tests were used to evaluate changes between in 2017 and in 2022. This study was approved by the ethics committee of Tokyo Women’s Medical University. Results Passive smoking, intercommunions with neighborhood and friends, exercises, and Salt reduction awareness reduced in 2022. Talking with family, taking a rest, attention to health, clockwork life, and sleep satisfactions increased. Conclusions Many changes were shown between in 2017 and in 2022. Because elderly has been able to use a mobile phone, loneliness was not increased. But numbers of elderly living alone have been increased from 2002. Health promotion programs giving health information for elderly is needed. Key messages • Many lifestyle changes were shown between in 2017 and in 2022. • Passive smoking reduced. Taking a rest and attention to health increased.

Community-led management of the (urban) commons: lessons from the Narroways Nature Reserve, Bristol

ABSTRACT At a local level, the role of urban green spaces for tackling sustainability issues has received renewed attention, in line with a wider shift in thinking which places cities at the heart of sustainable development action. In parallel, funding for green space provision has reduced, prompting Local Authorities to reimagine how green spaces are governed, including transferring authority to communities. Preference for community-led green spaces is frequently justified with reference to normative arguments derived from “commons” theory, which advocate for self-governing institutions as effective means of managing local resources. What is lacking in this literature is a contemporary focus on urban settings, operational prescription, and an awareness of the real challenges facing self-governance. To fill this gap, the different interactions with, and claims over, a self-governed nature reserve in Bristol, UK, are investigated; alongside the operational and legal mechanisms deployed in its governance and management. Findings reveal that governing commonly held green space in an urban context is highly complex and requires reconciling a multiplicity of claims, interests, and values. This manifests in tensions and challenges for governance, including trade-offs between autonomy and wider support, problematic decisions around prioritisation; and difficulty in establishing and legitimising norms whilst advocating for shared use. This deep empirical case provides valuable insights for policymakers and theorists as they continue to make decisions concerning the future of urban green spaces, in different localities and across scales.

Sustainability and Strategic Positioning in Hydroponic Production

Objective: This study analyzes the strategic positioning of a family farming company, exploring intersections in support of the certification process for the organic production of leafy vegetables. Theoretical Framework: We adopt a qualitative approach to achieve the objective through a case study on a farm in Minas Gerais/Brazil. We present details on hydroponics, the sustainability tripod, and strategic planning. Method: We presented an analysis of strategic planning. We applied case studies and bibliographic research. We employed a qualitative approach based on information obtained through interviews and in-loco observations. Results and Discussion: The results present the analysis of the SWOT matrix that compares the internal conditions of the organization with market conditions. The results highlighted the potential of the company under investigation. The offensive capacity demonstrates excellent conditions for taking advantage of opportunities. The defensive capacity reported the vulnerability to repel threats. Research Implications: This case study highlights the potential of analyzing strategic positioning. By applying the SWOT matrix and calculating strategic positioning, a significant positive value that attests to the offensive capacity in relation to the external environment was observed. Originality/Value: This study discusses the applicability of strategic positioning analysis for hydroponic companie sthrough sustainability actions. The interest in this product is widely known and highlights the relevance of studies to foster the evolution of strategic management in this segment.

Future Occurrence of Climate-Induced Extreme Heat Events in Museum Galleries: A Modeling Study under Two 21st Century Climate Scenarios at V&A South Kensington

ABSTRACT Museums, including the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), are committed to achieving ambitious sustainability goals, focusing on adapting their buildings and operations to adapt to climate change. This paper supports this ambition by developing a method to model internal gallery conditions under future climate projections, using a subset of environmental data from 2015 to 2023 from the V&A South Kensington galleries. The linear regression model, built on this data, predicts scenarios based on Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), specifically RCP2.6 and RCP8.5. Preliminary findings indicate little change in gallery closure frequencies in an RCP2.6 scenario compared to the current 0–10 closures per year. Conversely, the RCP8.5 scenario projects an almost tenfold increase in closure days due to high temperatures. This approach, implementable in the R programming language, provides a valuable tool for museums to inform and achieve their sustainability action plans amidst the challenges posed by climate change.

Advancing Global Climate and Biodiversity Goals Through Regenerative Tourism

Tourism has a particular responsibility to contribute to climate and biodiversity goals because of its intense use of long-range transport and its strong dependence on natural capital as an asset. Tourism is a major contributor to the global economy, but also to greenhouse gas emissions. The severe impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the tourism sector triggered a search for enhanced resilience, replacing the past paradigm of “boosterism”, and the dominant paradigm of “sustainable tourism”. Sustainable tourism is no longer sufficient, and a shift towards a new paradigm of regenerative tourism is needed to address the environmental and societal challenges faced by the tourism industry. Here, the evidence pointing at the rise of regenerative tourism as a new paradigm is reviewed, the differential goals of regenerative, relative to sustainable tourism, are defined and actions along five domains of action are identified that can help tourism destinations embrace the transition toward the regenerative tourism paradigm. Regenerative tourism seeks to enhance the natural, cultural and social capital of destinations while creating net positive benefits for people and the planet. It emphasizes collaboration with local communities and an ambitious and holistic approach to sustainability, going beyond reducing negative impacts to creating positive ones. Regenerative tourism aligns the industry, the Paris Agreement, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, while advancing the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. The transition to regenerative tourism requires investments in technology and innovation, transparent collaboration, and a holistic focus on well-being for both people and the planet.

Sustainability and Systems Thinking: a Case Study on HP Inc

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the sustainable impact actions of HP Inc. and relate them to General Systems Theory, emphasizing a viable systemic and circular production ideal that generates socioeconomic and environmental benefits from a minimal impact perspective. Theoretical Framework: The foundation of this research essentially consists of the General Systems Theory proposed by Bertalanffy, which, combined with complementary concepts and literature such as Industrial Ecology and Systemic Thinking, serves as a basis for analyzing HP Inc.'s production process. Method: This is an exploratory study, for which bibliographic research was conducted to provide a theoretical basis on the topics of sustainability and General Systems Theory. Subsequently, based on the knowledge acquired and official documents made available by the company, HP's production process and its relationship with the previously examined literature were analyzed. Results and Discussion: The results show that HP is a multinational corporation with a sustainable and social impact policy aimed at goals such as zero carbon emissions, a fully regenerative economy, a primarily renewable energy matrix, digital equity, and the effective practice of the circular economy, which ensures ease of repairs, maintenance, and product longevity. Therefore, it is concluded that the company has a feedback system, which not only ensures minimal socio-environmental impact but also demonstrates alignment with systems theory, supporting the implementation of social and sustainable measures. Research Implications: The research demonstrates, from a systemic perspective, how a circular production system, together with other sustainable impact actions, is a viable reality already being applied today, potentially serving as an example for other companies in operation. Originality/Value: The study is relevant as it not only exposes the feasibility of a circular and regenerative economy, such as that of HP Inc., but also reflects how General Systems Theory and systems thinking can be key perspectives for analyzing this scenario.

Trainee Teachers’ Shift towards Sustainable Actions in Their Daily Routine

The argument made in this study is that sustainability is a system of beliefs that extends beyond policy and the classroom to transform actions and societies into pro-sustainable behaviours. Therefore, it is crucial to equip trainee teachers to embrace their role as catalysts for change in driving Sustainable development goals, sustainable thinking, systems thinking, wise consumption, sustainable competencies, and sustainable action in their daily lives. The lack of practice-led research on incorporating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into trainee teachers’ training programmes is noted in the literature. This qualitative practice-led research explored trainee mathematics and technology teachers’ (TMTTs) experiences learning about sustainability. Kolb’s experiential theory framed this study theoretically. The data were collated from twenty purposively selected TMTTs via semi-structured interviews and reflective diaries. All ethical protocols were observed. The analysis highlighted the core experiences TMTTs gained in learning about sustainability, transformative learning, design thinking, wise consumption, agency, and sustainable teaching strategies. Theoretically, the findings emphasise the importance of using an ESD perspective and experiential learning methods to integrate sustainability education into mathematics and technology teaching. The results suggest that when TMTTs are encouraged to actively engage with sustainability issues in their communities, informed decisions are made about their future roles as teachers, the teaching strategies they intend to use, and the type of learning they aim to foster in their learners.

Advancing sustainability in China by uncovering the role of eco-innovation, sustainable urbanization and financial development: evidence from novel wavelet approaches

ABSTRACT The Chinese government has faced the challenge of striking a balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth. Nevertheless, it has been recognized that sustainable development is intricately linked with economic, financial, and technological factors. Recently, the Climate Action Tracker has labeled China’s sustainability actions and policies as ‘Highly Insufficient’; thus, it is imperative to explore innovative sustainability drivers and develop effective policy measures to achieve sustainable development. Consequently, this study aims to empirically investigate the interrelationship between eco-innovation, economic growth, financial development, urbanization, and CO2 emission in China by utilizing quarterly data from 1980 to 2020, and employing Wavelet approaches for empirical analysis. The findings derived from Wavelet correlation and Wavelet coherence reveal that eco-innovation and urbanization reduce CO2 in the short- and medium-term. Conversely, financial development and economic growth increase CO2 across all frequencies from short- to long-term. The results from wavelet cohesion further corroborate the findings from wavelet coherence. Finally, the research reveals convincing evidence of feedback causality between CO2, and its underlying factors. The study recommends promoting eco-innovation, sustainable urbanization, and implementing policies that decouple financial development and economic growth from CO2 emissions to achieve long-term sustainability goals.