Sustainability Certification Research Articles

Evaluation of Improvements in the Construction Production Process with the Implementation of Sustainability Indicators

Objective: To investigate the adoption of sustainability indicators in civil construction, highlighting advantages and challenges. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underlie the research are presented. The environmental legislation pertaining to civil construction and the environmental indicators of the construction site already studied by other authors are highlighted. Method: The implementation of this Sustainability Program aimed to carry out activities that would help maintain the balance of the construction of the enterprise with the maintenance of natural resources, in addition to bringing employees closer to the socio-environmental theme. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that it is possible to implement an environmental sustainability program in a construction site and achieve the goals of the indicators. Research Implications: Investigating the feasibility of other sustainability certifications and standards can broaden the scope of application of sustainable practices in civil construction. Originality/Value: This study allowed the systematic analysis of the data, showing that sustainable technology was effectively applied in the enterprise. In addition, he highlighted the positive social and environmental impact on employees, reinforcing the idea that it is feasible to build while preserving natural resources for future generations.

Resilience of the governance systems of two MSC certified fisheries in northwestern Mexico

Incentive-based management is an encouraging option in the quest for sustainability, and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the most prestigious certification standard. It implies sustainability and resilience, but the latter has yet to be explored. Accordingly, we selected two MSC-certified fisheries, the small-scale red lobster fishery (RL) in Baja California (BC) and the small pelagic industrial fishery in Sonora (SP), to prove whether the certification success is reflected in a resilient governance network structure. To do so, we identify structural patterns that drive the resilience of the governance network in two MSC-certified fisheries. Data obtained through stakeholder interviews on different types of stakeholder relationships were used to construct weighted communication matrices to model governance networks. We assessed the individual role of each actor using centrality indices. We also analyzed how stakeholders are integrated into cohesive subgroups of the network. To evaluate resilience, we compared changes in the structure of governance networks by analyzing how network properties change each time the loss of an actor and/or its functionality is simulated. In both fisheries, most of the stakeholders belonged to the productive sector, actors involved in capture, processing, commercialization, and industrialization in the case of SP. For all centrality indices, the most relevant actors were similar or the same in both fisheries and belonged mainly to the regulatory and productive sectors. Cohesive subgroup analysis revealed that both networks are highly connected and collaborative systems. The simulations showed that in both fisheries, the decrease in the number of stakeholders did not cause abrupt changes in the structure of the governance systems. This approach reveals that, even in worst-case scenarios, the tolerance of governance systems to this severe loss of stakeholder diversity is high and suggests that following sustainable certification standards can lead to the promotion of effective and resilient governance networks.

Sustainability certification for renewable hydrogen: An international survey of energy professionals

Hydrogen produced from renewable energy is being promoted to decarbonise global energy systems. To support this energy transition, standards, certification, and labelling schemes (SCLs) aim to differentiate hydrogen products based on their system-wide carbon emissions and method of production characteristics. However, being certified as low-carbon, clean, or green hydrogen does not guarantee broader sustainability across economic, environmental, social, or governance dimensions. Through an international survey of energy-sector and sustainability professionals (n = 179), we investigated the desirable sustainability features for renewable hydrogen SCLs and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of sustainability certification. Our mixed-method study revealed general accordance on the feasible inclusion of diverse sustainability criteria in SCLs, albeit with varying degrees of perceived essentiality. Within the confines of the data, some differences in viewpoints emerged based on respondents’ geographical and supply chain locations, which were associated with the sharing of costs and benefits. Qualitatively, respondents found the idea of SCL harmonisation attractive but weighed this against the risks of duplication, complicated administrative procedures, and contradictory regulation. The implications of this research centre on the need for further studies to inform policy recommendations for an overarching SCL sustainability framework that embodies the principles of harmonisation in the context of multistakeholder governance.

Impacts of quality management principles in supporting sustainable development in the Mauritian hospitality sector

The notion of sustainability has greatly evolved since the 1960s. As the global population is increasing along with the consumption rate, it is becoming urgent to alleviate the negative impacts of this growth while, in parallel, allowing for continuous enhancements in environmental quality and overall living standards. This is where the need for sustainability becomes apparent. This research focuses on the hospitality industry, one of the top pillars of the Mauritian economy, which has expanded drastically during the last two decades. The study aims at assessing sustainability practices through an investigation of the different sustainable practices adopted by the hospitality industry. A survey was conducted with the main stakeholders in the hotel industry. The outcome of the survey, including an overview of the gaps faced by the hotels during their sustainability system implementation or maintenance, contributed to designing a framework linking quality and sustainability. The survey revealed that most hotels possess sustainability certifications. It was noted that more than 80% of the respondents calculate or estimate their CO2 emissions, and that around the same percentage of interviewees use the LCA technique. Further, this study depicts that hotels in Mauritius have started their sustainability journey, which is a positive sign. To help the industry overcome barriers to Sustainable Development (SD), it is recommended to use and include quality management as a tool to support and enhance overall efficiency.

Impacts of quality management principles in supporting sustainable development in the Mauritian hospitality sector

The notion of sustainability has greatly evolved since the 1960s. As the global population is increasing along with the consumption rate, it is becoming urgent to alleviate the negative impacts of this growth while, in parallel, allowing for continuous enhancements in environmental quality and overall living standards. This is where the need for sustainability becomes apparent. This research focuses on the hospitality industry, one of the top pillars of the Mauritian economy, which has expanded drastically during the last two decades. The study aims at assessing sustainability practices through an investigation of the different sustainable practices adopted by the hospitality industry. A survey was conducted with the main stakeholders in the hotel industry. The outcome of the survey, including an overview of the gaps faced by the hotels during their sustainability system implementation or maintenance, contributed to designing a framework linking quality and sustainability. The survey revealed that most hotels possess sustainability certifications. It was noted that more than 80% of the respondents calculate or estimate their CO2 emissions, and that around the same percentage of interviewees use the LCA technique. Further, this study depicts that hotels in Mauritius have started their sustainability journey, which is a positive sign. To help the industry overcome barriers to Sustainable Development (SD), it is recommended to use and include quality management as a tool to support and enhance overall efficiency.

Socio-demographic and cross-country differences in attention to sustainable certifications and changes in food consumption

Food labeling can influence, sometimes facilitate, changes in consumer diets to support environmental sustainability and in response to climate change. However, a significant impediment to this dietary shift may arise from the consumers’ tendency to underestimate the environmental impact of their food choices and from their limited knowledge about sustainable certifications. These aspects are influenced by the characteristics and geographical affiliations of individuals. In such a context, the aim of this research has been to identify the main factors that drive the food purchasing frequency and the changes in food consumption associated with consumers’ concerns about climate change and interest in sustainable food certifications by comparing different food products and countries (Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, the USA, and China). A cross-country survey was conducted on 6500 consumers of various food products. The obtained mean scores were then compared, using generalized linear mixed-effect models, to evaluate the associations between the consumers’ food purchasing frequency, the importance of sustainable certifications, and changes in food consumption due to climate change concerns. Much of the variation in food consumption, purchasing behaviors, and interest in sustainable certifications was found to depend on such factors as age, gender, and country of origin. Indeed, Chinese consumers exhibited a heightened interest in sustainable food certifications, yet their consumption scores for all food products overall were higher. Conversely, adult and elderly Danish consumers demonstrated a decrease in the consumption of cheeses, meat, fruits, and vegetables, and their interest scores in all sustainable food certifications were lower. Despite the challenges posed by various consumers’ interests and minimal changes in food consumption patterns, our findings suggest that sustainable certifications present a promising avenue for straightforward interventions to promote the adoption of sustainable diets and to address climate change.

Mapping the International Valuation Standards ESG criteria and sustainability rating tools adopted at scale by the Australian commercial real estate market

PurposeThe proliferation of environmental rating tools over the past two decades has endeavoured to assist the industry in measuring sustainability. Recent changes to the International Valuation Standards (IVS) have directed valuers to consider ESG. The purpose of this study aims to examine how commonly utilized sustainability tools, which have been employed to communicate building sustainability credentials, align with the IVS categories of ESG.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilises the IVS categorisation of ESG and maps sustainability tools adopted at scale by the Australian Commercial Real Estate market. The approach identifies the various attributes within the commonly utilised rating tools that align with IVS defined ESG criteria.FindingsThe mapping provides insights into the coverage of the IVS ESG criteria in the mainstream tools used in Australia. Further, the research identifies existing sustainability criteria that are relevant to the built environment, that have not been clearly identified by the IVS, but have an important role in evaluating the sustainability of commercial real estate.Practical implicationsFor investors, occupiers and valuers, this research provides insights on how the current, commonly utilised sustainability rating tools align with the IVS-defined ESG metrics. This research assists in providing greater clarity regarding the relationship between ESG criteria and existing rating tools, which have been recently identified as key considerations in valuation practice and help to provide transparency and understanding for property stakeholders.Originality/valueThe importance of monitoring, reporting and enhancing transparency in ESG disclosures has emerged as a central issue with significant implications for the property industry. This research provides the first evaluation of how existing sustainability rating tools map against ESG criteria as directed in the IVS.

Sustainable tourism: Pathways to environmental preservation, economic growth, and social equity

This comprehensive study examines sustainable tourisms multifaceted impacts on environmental conservation, economic development, and social equity. Through a series of analytical lenses, we assess how the tourism sectors carbon footprint can be significantly reduced by adopting low-carbon transportation and energy-efficient accommodations, leading to a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. We explore biodiversity conservation efforts enhanced by sustainable tourism practices, resulting in a 25% improvement in biodiversity indices. Water resource management strategies highlight the importance of sustainable practices in reducing water usage by up to 30%. Economically, sustainable tourism acts as a catalyst for increasing tourist spending, job creation, and ensuring long-term economic resilience, with data indicating a 20% increase in per capita tourist expenditure in destinations with sustainable certifications. Socially, the paper delves into community participation, cultural preservation, and access inclusivity, showcasing how sustainable tourism fosters community satisfaction, cultural enrichment, and equitable benefits distribution. This paper underscores sustainable tourisms role as a critical lever for achieving environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and social justice.

The Development of Modeling Shared Spaces to Support Sustainable Transport Systems: Introduction to the Integrated Pedestrian–Vehicle Model (IPVM)

The significance of developing shared road infrastructure in cities throughout the world is growing. Driven by the need to improve traffic management in ways that enhance multiple sustainability outcomes, developing the tools needed to test shared space proposals is becoming more sought after by responsible agencies. This paper reviews approaches to simulation modeling focused on representing and assessing shared spaces, culminating in a new approach presented here called the Integrated Pedestrian–Vehicle Model (IPVM)—a novel framework that combines social force models, car-following models and other algorithms from the robotics domain to better describe both mobility and activity within a shared space. The IPVM recognizes that while shared spaces are inherently multimodal, past efforts have tended to use pedestrian models as a starting point. Most consider the interaction of pedestrians with other pedestrians and static road infrastructure. Shared space models are generally microscopic models that integrate a social force model with a variety of car-following models to describe the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians. However, there is little research and few practical methodologies that address the long-range conflict avoidance between vehicles and pedestrians. This aspect is crucial for accurately representing the desire lines and pathways of pedestrians and active transport users in complex environments like shared spaces. The IPVM describes and visualizes shared road infrastructure with an absence of separating infrastructure between users and outputs. It generates metrics that can be used in conjunction with the latest evaluation approaches to gauge the sustainability credentials of shared space road proposals. Enhanced modeling of shared space solutions can lead to more effective implementation, which can potentially reduce the presence of cars, increase public and active transport use and lead to a more sustainable transport system.

Turmeric trends: analyzing consumer preferences and willingness to pay

This Research determines the factors influencing American consumers’ willingness to purchase turmeric products, amidst the spice’s rising popularity for its potential health benefits, particularly those linked to its bioactive component, curcumin. Through a comprehensive analysis of a Qualtrics online survey with 1,020 national respondents in the U.S., we employed advanced choice experiment mixed logit models to elucidate consumer preferences regarding product form, origin, sustainability certification, curcumin content, and price. Contrary to the initial hypothesis that curcumin potency would be a primary driver, our results indicate that the place of origin and price significantly shape purchasing decisions, with a clear preference for inland domestically grown, organically certified turmeric products. These insights offer valuable guidance for producers, manufacturers, and marketers in the natural products industry, suggesting a focus on emphasizing local, sustainable sourcing and clear communication of organic credentials to align with consumer expectations. Our findings not only provide a detailed understanding of current consumer attitudes toward turmeric but also highlight potential markets for turmeric–based product development and effective marketing to cater to the evolving demand for health-beneficial natural products.

Drivers of Sustainability Credentialling in the Red Meat Value Chain—A Mixed Methods Study

Sustainability credentialling is the communication of environmental, social, economic, or animal-welfare-related information about a producer or product. Demand for sustainability credentials has been increasing and the aim of this study was to describe the main drivers for this kind of information in Australian red meat value chains that reach consumers across Australia and internationally, mainly in Asia, the USA, and the Middle East. The mixed methods approach included consultation with red meat processors. Desk-based research explored drivers from outside the value chain identified in the consultation. Little evidence was found that consumers are a driver of sustainability credentialling. The main drivers were in the global financial system, expressed in coordinated climate action policies by financial service providers and emerging government climate-related financial legislation. The inclusion of Scope 3 emissions extends coverage to most value chain participants. Net zero transitioning presents many risks to red meat value chains, potentially involving costly interventions and greater difficulty accessing financial services, with direct implications for production costs and asset values. Urgent action is recommended to achieve the formal recognition and use of climate metrics that differentiate the management strategies that are applicable to short-lived biogenic methane compared to CO2 to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.

How to promote sustainable wine tourism: Insights from Italian and French young adults

With over 40 million annual tourists visiting wineries, wine tourism is becoming an important source of revenue for wine businesses and local communities to preserve heritage in rural regions. It is perceived as a strategy to increase economic and social sustainability. Two cross-sectional surveys in France and Italy explored the interest of 1205 young adults and the influence of individual features on sustainable wine tourism intention. Two scenarios with differently framed environmental information were tested through a mock winery webpage. Wine involvement, environmental attitude, perceived behavioural control were identified as core traits prompting young adults to experience sustainable wine tourism. The adoption of co-compatible practices and winery commitment in preserving biodiversity emerged as more attractive than a sustainability certification.

Consumer Willingness-to-Pay for Sustainable Coffee: Evidence from a Choice Experiment on Fairtrade and UTZ Certification

Sustainability labels serve as crucial instruments facilitating the presentation of credible product attributes, enabling consumers to assess various aspects of sustainability in their purchasing decisions. This study aims to evaluate consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay for sustainable certifications, specifically Fairtrade and UTZ certification, within the coffee sector in Spain. Employing the choice experiment approach, an online survey involving 547 Spanish consumers was conducted, and a conditional logit model was estimated. The findings indicate that consumers exhibit positive utility towards both sustainability labels examined. Furthermore, the results reveal that consumers are willing to pay a premium of EUR 1.481 per 250 g for the Fairtrade label and EUR 1.379 per 250 g for the UTZ label. The proposed model offers an initial insight into willingness to pay for sustainable coffee in Spain. These results furnish valuable insights for the coffee sector in crafting effective marketing strategies to bolster initiatives promoting sustainable production practices and expanding market access for certified coffee products.

Oil palm production value addition in Nigeria: The way forward

This study appraised the way forward for oil palm production value addition in Nigeria. Oil palm has economic, cultural and traditional significance in many communities in Nigeria. In recent years, the oil palm sector in Nigeria has faced challenges related to sustainability, environmental conservation, and market access. The study identified the major players in the oil palm industry in Nigeria. It was shown that value addition processes in oil palm production are essential for enhancing the economic value of palm oil and its derivatives. It was obvious that challenges outlined in value addition processes of the oil palm industry include inefficient processing facilities, storage challenges, lack of cold chain infrastructure, limited access to credit and financing, inadequate research and development and environmental issues. The study revealed that Government interventions as a way forward play a crucial role in promoting value addition in the oil palm industry. This extends to research and development, infrastructure development, market access and trade facilitation, sustainable certification and standards, tax incentives, subsidies, extension services and environmental regulations. It was accounted that successful value addition projects in the oil palm sector in Nigeria have the potential to transform the local economy and improve livelihoods. A replication of the success stories is a way forward to value addition sustainability in the oil palm industry. Conclusion reached as ways forward include technological advancement, increased palm oil production, increased research and development, increased market expansion and steady government support and policy framework.

Environmental Certifications in Architecture in Southeast Asia

The present textual work focuses on the significant role of certifications such as LEED and BREEAM in the context of architecture in Southeast Asia. LEED and BREEAM are widely recognized sustainability certification systems that assess and promote environmentally friendly and energy-efficient building practices. These certificates serve as valuable guides for sustainable construction projects and have a positive impact on the promotion of sustainability principles. The findings indicate that the demand for environmentally friendly buildings in this region is continuously growing. This has led to an increased application of certifications as instruments to achieve sustainability goals. Despite this positive development, some challenges persist. In particular, the disparity between claimed sustainability and the actual sustainability achieved in certain construction projects requires critical examination. This underscores the urgent need for more effective monitoring and regulation regarding certification procedures. Another crucial insight is that the adaptation of certificates to the cultural and climatic peculiarities of the region is of great importance. The present work emphasizes the importance of close collaboration between government authorities, architects, and the construction industry to effectively promote sustainable architecture in Southeast Asia. It concludes with an outlook on future developments and the potential role of regional materials and construction methods in the architecture of this region. In summary, it becomes evident that certifications play an indispensable role in promoting sustainability, but their effectiveness depends on a variety of factors. The aspects of monitoring and adaptation to regional conditions prove to be crucial for achieving the goals of sustainable architecture in Southeast Asia in the long term.

Consumer Preference for Fisheries Improvement Project: Case of Bigeye Tuna in Japan

In recent years, demand for sustainable fisheries certification, also known as seafood ecolabeling, has grown worldwide, with retailers actively promoting ecolabeled seafood, mainly in Europe and the United States. However, the costs associated with assessment and maintenance are typically incurred before certification, and the potential benefits are uncertain, which deters many fisheries from entering the certification process. The Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) is a market-driven mechanism that allows a fishery to gain recognition for its sustainable management efforts aimed at achieving sustainable certification. Market differentiation of FIP-participating fisheries from conventional fisheries has the potential to generate additional benefits that may offset some of the certification costs. However, successful differentiation efforts require consumer awareness, willingness to pay a premium, and effective communication strategies. This study investigates consumer preferences for bigeye tuna sashimi in Japan using a discrete choice experiment to determine if Japanese consumers are willing to pay a price premium for FIP-participating fisheries. The analysis resulted in a significant price premium for FIP and domestic certification valued more than international brands. These findings suggest that FIP-participating fisheries have the potential for cost recovery, even during the certification process.

Towards a Sustainable Future: Exploring the Role of Integrated Management Systems in Enhancing Export Competitiveness and Domestic Sales in Textile Industry

In today's globalized industrial landscape, marked by fierce competition and evolving consumer preferences, the imperative of ensuring product quality, environmental sustainability, and occupational health and safety has intensified for firms operating in both domestic and international markets. Integrated Management Systems (IMS) transcend mere compliance, serving as a strategic framework for firms to fortify their environmental sustainability credentials and mitigate reputational risks effectively. By fostering environmentally friendly production practices, enhancing employee skills, reducing accidents, and enhancing institutional image, IMS drives competitiveness through continual enhancements in product quality, workforce capabilities, resource utilization, and waste reduction. This study investigates the transformative potential of IMS in stimulating export growth and domestic sales within Pakistan's industrial sector. Utilizing panel data analysis of 94 textile firms spanning listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2009 to 2022, the findings underscore the significant role of IMS in fostering export growth and improving environmental performance, highlighting its crucial contribution to achieving business success and broader societal and environmental objectives.

Enhancing life cycle product design decision-making processes: Insights from normal accident theory and the satisficing framework

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a computational tool for enabling sustainable product design decision making, faces challenges in the interpretation phase, where conclusions are drawn for improvement recommendations. This necessitate the need to incorporate into LCA management-relevant theoretical underpinnings to strengthen decision-making processes. Comparative LCA case studies of lead-based piezoelectric material (lead zirconate titanate – PZT) and lead-free alternatives (potassium sodium niobate – KNN, sodium bismuth titanate – NBT), was employed to demonstrate how two theoretical lenses, namely Normal Accident Theory (NAT) and the Satisficing Framework, are used inductively to enhance decision making regarding unintended consequences in the value chain. By operationalising NAT, which has hitherto focused on the consequences of physical accidents, as a life cycle engineering-based methodology, NAT attributes of interactive complexity and tight coupling was revealed in piezoelectric materials, based on environmental systems’ predictability, observability, and applicability. This led to the introduction of Environmental Impact Accident (EIA) as a new concept, facilitating an early assessment of the associated complexities influencing the sustainability credentials of piezoelectric materials whilst informing mitigation strategies. However, when considering multiple objectives that conflict or trade-off between alternative piezoelectric materials with different environmental and health impacts across the value chain, a conundrum is created but resolved using the Satisficing Framework. The paper concludes by proposing theoretical and practical policy options for incorporating LCA into product life cycle decision making.

The Sustainability of Palm Oil

The most significant environmental issue associated with palm oil that is accused by the European Union is deforestation, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. The tension arose after the EU established Renewable Energy Directive II. EU considered palm oil-producing countries have ignored environmental issues by expanding palm oil plantations which has resulted in deforestation. This made palm oil plantations included in the high-risk Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) category. Therefore, this article presents a comparison of the sustainability between palm oil and other vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, etc. The findings of this article contextualize the comparative advantage of palm oil over other similar resources. The reasons why palm oil is more sustainable are it needs less land to produce the same amount of oil, its sustainability certification at the international level such as RSPO which is also connected to SDGs, and at the domestic level such as ISPO and MSPO. One strategy proposed in this article is instead of boycotting palm oil, the government and stakeholders should prioritize the implementation of sustainable practices, enhance the monitoring and enforcement of RSPO scheme standards, and tackle social concerns and deforestation that are always linked to palm oil.

MAPPING EFFECTIVE MULTI REGIONAL TREATIES ON BLUE ECONOMY

Indonesia as an archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, has a unique geographical and great potential as a maritime country. Primarily, Indonesia's efforts to realize sustainable fisheries is by promoting and implementing the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework as one of the country's economic deliverables. Furthermore, among the various measures and policies that have been set by the Indonesian government, measurable fishing is a breakthrough in fostering the marine and fisheries sector and specifically regulating the blue economy. In the context of international trade, Indonesia has also made several efforts including the implementation of measured quotas and sustainable certification. Quotas and certification are two ways to resolve the issue of legality. Even so, illegal fishing is still a major challenge in the framework of sustainability. One of the main goals that Indonesia can set to ensure its involvement and leadership in ASEAN maritime connectivity is the construction of a national sustainable fisheries system, that is specifically related to the implementation strategy of sustainability commitment, that serves as a pioneer/pioneer of similar systems in the regional arena.