Dimensions Of Sustainability Research Articles

Vertically integrated project: uniting teaching, research, and community in favor of sustainability

Purpose Higher education institutions (HEIs) are crucial in sustainable development. To this end, they must infuse sustainability into all their endeavors. This study aims to delve into the unique vertically integrated project (VIP), a project-based learning approach and its impact on students’ skills and the surrounding community. Design/methodology/approach The research design was collaborative, reflecting the spirit of the VIP. Step 1 involved an action research approach, where students and instructors worked closely with municipal representatives to identify challenges and devise solutions for local economic development. In Step 2, students' voices were heard through a survey. Step 3 encompassed presentations in scientific and nonscientific events, capturing the community’s perception as a valuable feedback loop. Findings The authors identified the most effective policies implemented by municipalities that excelled in indices related to the business environment. VIP enhanced students’ soft skills, including critical thinking, teamwork and community spirit. The outcomes of the VIP were effective in identifying public policies aimed at social transformation. Practical implications This study’s findings offer significant insights for HEI managers, guiding them in adopting interdisciplinary pedagogical practices. These practices, in turn, foster sustainable development within both internal and external communities. Furthermore, the empirical study’s focus on improving local community governance can potentially enhance the local business environment. Originality/value Literature emphasizing the social dimension of sustainability in HEIs is scarce, particularly those practices related to teaching, research and extension linked to projects aimed at community sustainability. This study introduces interdisciplinary practices encouraging student involvement in addressing tangible issues and searching for solutions to community problems.

Driving Towards Sustainable Transportation Systems: A bottom-up Traffic Modal Choices Analysis Using Responsible Management for Future Development Planning

The transportation sector wields substantial influence on society, encompassing economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Recognising environmentally conscious actions initiated by individuals, particularly at grassroots levels, fosters the development of a pro-environmental social identity. The article aims to analyse the transportation systems from a bottom-up perspective within a municipality. Consequently, three objectives are proposed for this research paper: investigate citizen behaviour regarding transportation, assess the strengths and weaknesses of communities based on citizen perspectives and generate ideas for improving transit through responsible management principles using a bottom-up approach. It has been determined that private car is the most commonly used mode of transportation. The number of cars is the only variable that influences the choice of transportation. A significant positive relationship has been identified between the number of cars and car travels, while a negative relationship has been observed between the number of cars and travels by transit, pedestrian or bicycle. In addition to this, other significant relationships were determined. Regarding the second objective, the majority of the interviewees perceive that the commune lacks any significant strengths. In terms of enhancement opportunities, respondents express a desire for improvements in pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, transit facilities and the addition of more lanes and roads.

Monitoring the Sustainability of the EU Biomass Supply: A Novel Hybrid Approach Combining Tracing and Selected Sustainability Impacts

In an attempt to make a first step toward monitoring the sustainability of wood as (one of) the main element(s) of the EU biomass supply, a novel approach combining a physical accounting model with a material flow–life cycle assessment approach was used to trace the locations of origin of the wood and the associated sustainability impacts. Applying this approach to EU trade data from 2018, we found that around one-third of the wood fiber input in finished paper products consumed in the EU was imported. The main countries of origin were Brazil, the United States and Uruguay. We used Uruguay as a case study of an important country that provides wood pulp to assess the associated sustainability impacts. The results reveal synergies and trade-offs between employment, value added and environmental impacts. We highlight the need to analyze sustainability impacts in different dimensions of sustainability and consider not only territorial impacts in isolation but also from a global perspective in order to have a more holistic overview. Future extensions of the approach could include the coverage of other commodities, additional impacts along the global supply chain (e.g., post-use) and additional sustainability indicators.

How Is SDG 11 Linked with Other SDGs? Evidence from the United Nations Good Practices

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities” (SDG 11) is linked with the 16 other SDGs to varying extents. Studying these relationships can provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the current SDG framework and set the stage for improvements to the next version. We analyze data from the UN database of 221 “good practices” for SDG 11 submitted between 2018 and 2021 to determine the most and least frequent linkages between SDG 11 and other SDGs as well as differences in such linkages between developed and developing countries. We find SDG 11 most closely associated with SDG 17 “Partnership for the Goals” and SDG 13 “Climate Action”. This shows actors’ perceptions of the centrality of international partnerships and climate action in addressing urban sustainability challenges. Connections with SDG 7 “Affordable and Clean Energy”, SDG 2 “Zero Hunger”, and SDG 16 “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” were surprisingly weak, given the role of clean energy in addressing the climate crisis, the prevalence of poverty and hunger within cities, and the importance of institutions. Developing countries more frequently linked SDG 11 with SDG 5 “Gender Equality” and SDG 6 “Clear Water and Sanitation”, showing a focus on basic infrastructure and gender equity dimensions of sustainability. Developed countries associated SDG 11 more strongly with natural resources, environmental sustainability, and economic production. These findings suggest that more specific targets, indicators, and international support related to energy, poverty, hunger, and institutions may be needed within post-2030 iterations of SDG 11.

Sustainability of Water Supply Projects

Sustainability is one of the major issues for Water Supply and Sanitation activities/ projects. The project should have the measuring tools for the sustainable part. Water supply is one of the basic needs for human beings with all living things may come first air then water or soil in the universe to sustain. Sustainability indicators of water supply projects was determined by three major dimensions (i) technical, (ii) Socio-environmental, and (iii) Institutional [15]. Other aspects, functionality has divided with requirements, actions, and results. Sustainability is the combination of functionality index and sustainability dimensions on a fifty-fifty percent shearing base. The research has developed sustainability tools on the basis of available literatures and practical experiences. The tools have developed. The project study has to take consideration for the sustainability from the pre-feasibility study, feasibility, detail study.

Evaluation of Sustainable Tourism Development in Dachen Island, East China Sea: Stakeholders’ Perspective

Sustainable tourism development on small islands remains challenging because of the potential conflict of interest among relevant stakeholders. This study aims to explore the issue of sustainable tourism development in small island destinations through the example of Dachen Island in China. More specifically, this study intends to fulfill three objectives: (1) assess the stakeholders’ perception of tourism sustainable development using five major sustainability dimensions: economic sustainability, sociocultural sustainability, environmental sustainability, tourism development, and tourism management; (2) explore the major reasons for potential conflict of interest among the stakeholders; and (3) propose some conflict resolution mechanisms. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 29 stakeholders including locals, visitors, officials, and academicians. The findings indicated that sustainable tourism is developing rapidly on Dachen Island and our respondents showed reasonable satisfaction with the five sustainability dimensions, with emphasis placed on the potential for improving sustainable performance in the future. However, locals were less satisfied with the economic sustainability than other stakeholders. Limited conflict of interest among stakeholders was justified based on the ranking of their perceived priorities. Our findings recommend adopting responsible tourism and we highlight three conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure effective sustainable tourism development on Dachen Island, including the involvement of local communities in decision making, encouraging responsible visitor behavior, and enhancing infrastructure and services.

Assessing tourism sustainability in European Union countries: A multi-directional benefit of the doubt composite indicator

We propose a composite indicator for the assessment of tourism sustainability in European Union (EU) countries relatively to years 2019 and 2021. Our proposal is a revisitation of the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), which is based on a uniform weighting scheme, by means of the Multi-Directional Benefit of the Doubt (MD-BoD) model, an innovative non-compensatory method able to derive a country-specific preference structure from the data. Thanks to the MD-BoD model, each pillar and elementary indicator receives a score that reflects the potential improvement of the country relatively to an empirical benchmark, therefore it is possible to objectively identify weak and strong dimensions of tourism sustainability before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, our composite indicator represents a valuable support for the design of policies aimed at increasing the resilience of the European tourism ecosystem.

Sustainability assessment indicators of road infrastructure projects: a systematic literature review

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify sustainability assessment indicators of road infrastructure projects by analyzing and synthesizing existing literature, considering that, despite being essential to achieving the sustainable development goals, sustainability performance in road infrastructure projects is a persistent challenge. Therefore, determining how sustainability can be assessed in these projects is crucial, necessitating a systematic review of the sustainability assessment indicators of road infrastructure projects. Design/methodology/approach Using PRISMA principles, 54 peer-reviewed papers from 2010 to 2022 were retrieved from three search databases (Scopus, Research for Life and Google Scholar) as part of a systematic literature review. Data analysis techniques included both descriptive and content analysis. Findings The study identified 22 indicators. The results emphasized that the sustainability of road infrastructure projects should consider all three sustainability dimensions to provide development while meeting human needs, preserving the planet Earth and enhancing economic growth. Similarly, indicators should be incorporated from the design phase to implement and attain sustainability successfully. Practical implications The outcome of this study will serve as a guide to road infrastructure stakeholders to understand the relevant sustainability indicators to assess the sustainability performance of their projects. Originality/value The study’s findings provide the sustainability assessment indicators for roads, which serve as a foundation for developing a sustainability assessment indicator framework for road infrastructure projects. Future research can look at establishing the indicators for the end-of-life phase of the project lifecycle.

Applied qualitative methods for social life cycle assessment: a case study of Canadian beef

PurposeThis paper presents a transparent and rigorous methodological approach to conducting a case study of social performance (SP) within the conventional life cycle of Canadian beef. The objective was to explore the potential benefits and risks (or hotspots) of practices on Canadian beef farm businesses (BFBs) and slaughter operations (BSOs) to establish valid benchmarks and a social sustainability roadmap for decision-makers to improve SP.MethodsThis study undertook a novel and participatory approach to social life cycle assessment (S-LCA). Respondents from both within and at-arms-length to the beef value chain were engaged to identify SP practices and perceptions and develop the life cycle inventory. The goal and scope, inventory, assessment, and interpretation were conducted in a three-phased approach: (i) scoping; (ii) practice-based assessment; and (iii) deep-dive assessment. Data collected through mixed methods, including Q method, interviews, surveys, and literature review, were assessed using a type I (reference scale) approach and interpreted through critical interpretive synthesis. Organizational SP was explored at BFBs and BSOs, considering the following stakeholders: value chain actors, farmers, employees, and cattle.Results and discussionOutcomes from the applied approach explore the interrelations between organizations and stakeholders along the value chain. Impact categories concerning labour management, people’s health and safety, and animal care were prioritized for deep-dive assessment. Subcategories included novel topics, like recruitment and retention and access to mental health resources. A range of potential benefits and areas for improving SP were identified at BFBs and BSOs. Potential risks from SP were identified for stakeholders from working hours, communication and dispute resolution, animal transport, and personal protective equipment practice areas. Results informed strategic activities for the National Beef Sustainability Strategy.ConclusionThis study contributes to the social sustainability discourse in livestock systems by demonstrating a qualitative approach to S-LCA that can be replicated by practitioners to explore valid and locally specific social dimensions of sustainability. Practitioners may consider the approach and results in future studies to better capture and manage the complex and dynamic nature of livestock systems, leading to more effective social sustainability decisions that incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives.

Good people good planet: Investigating the interconnection between social and environmental sustainability

Research investigating consumers’ responsiveness to sustainability from a corporate social responsibility perspective has traditionally focused on either the environmental or social dimensions while overlooking the possible link between the two. This manuscript explores consumers’ perception of the interconnection between these dimensions of sustainability. Four experiments demonstrate that the social and environmental dimensions of sustainability are interconnected in consumers’ minds, where a promise to be sustainable in one dimension enhances perceptions of the other dimension. Companies making social or environmental promises are evaluated differently depending on whether the company later delivers a sustainability success along the same dimension (paired success) or a separate dimension (complementary success). Positive attitudes towards the company were only heightened in the case of complementary successes. The underlying psychological mechanism of perceived ethical principles is also identified. Finally, the results are shown to not only impact consumer attitudes, but also their actual choice behavior.

IS THIS (TELE)WORKING? A path model analysis of the relationship between telework, job demands and job resources, and sustainable employability.

Technological advancements and the COVID-19 crisis have accelerated the adoption of telework, impacting employees' work dynamics. Moreover, an aging workforce emphasises the need for sustainable employability. With reference to the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, this study explores how telework relates to job demands and job resources and, subsequently, to sustainable employability. The present study investigates the repercussions of increased telework on employees' sustainable employability. Hypotheses posit direct and indirect (i.e., mediated) relationships, providing insights for evidence-based telework policies. Data from 552 government employees was collected through an online survey. Data collection occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when widespread teleworking was prevalent. A path model was employed to analyse associations between telework, job demands (specifically work pressure), job resources (social support, workplace communication, and role clarity), and sustainable employability dimensions, including vitality, work ability, and employability. Our path model reveals that heightened telework was associated with elevated work pressure and diminished role clarity. Surprisingly, a positive association emerges between work pressure and sustainable employability. Notably, no significant relationship is found between telework, social support, and workplace communication. Role clarity is likely to be pivotal, positively influencing vitality and employability. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of telework on job demands, resources, and sustainable employability. The unexpected positive association between work pressure and sustainable employability challenges conventional stressor paradigms. The relationships between telework, job demands, job resources, and sustainable employability uncovered in this study can contribute to evidence-based teleworking policies and strategies that support employee health and employability amidst evolving work structures.

Factors influencing blockchain adoption in the tourism industry: an empirical study

ABSTRACT The adoption of blockchain technology is gaining trends, leading to the need for investigations into the reasons that persuade the intention to adopt it by companies. However, empirical studies in the tourism industry are still scarce. This investigation aims to design a new adoption model that combines Human-Organisation-Technology-Fit (HOT-fit), Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) and sustainability dimensions. The model is validated using new empirical evidence in a relatively understudied geographic context, with a sample of 210 Portuguese tourism companies. The information was examined utilising Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The outcomes indicate that reasons such as sustainability and competition intensity significantly impact the objective to adopt blockchain. The work provides practical implications for businesses, governments and society. Additionally, this paper offers a pioneering study of blockchain adoption by tourism companies in Portugal, which may help future researchers extend their study of this field to other sectors and regions.

Methodological Framework for Integrating Cultural Impact in Sustainability Assessments of Cultural Events

Based on the three dimensions model of sustainability, different studies that address the integration of the culture and sustainability concepts from a theoretical field propose that culture should be included as another sustainability dimension to a greater degree. This approach has not been put into practice to date. In fact, when sustainability application is examined in cultural activities such as museums and exhibitions, in most cases it is associated with only one dimension and evaluation methodologies based on a holistic approach; the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) is used in very few cases. In this work, a methodological framework is proposed to add the cultural dimension to the study of the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. A sequence of phases in line with the LCSA methodology is used to achieve the simultaneous evaluation of impacts associated with a sustainability approach based on four dimensions. A thorough literature review revealed cultural indicators, which were classified and organized in order to facilitate the cultural impact assessment and complement the indicators already used to evaluate other dimensions. Additionally, the approaches and methods proposed are put into practice in a case study, which consists of an experimental exhibition room. The different phases of the methodology have been successively developed, and indicators for all sustainability dimensions have been obtained. Thus, the theoretical contribution of this work is embellished with the development of a practical case, which demonstrate that cultural dimensions can be evaluated together with the rest of the dimensions in order to obtain a multidimensional assessment of sustainability.

Re-echoing Afro socio-environmental sustainability philosophies: the purview of Ubuntu re-imagined through Adinkra symbols

ABSTRACT This paper argues that the concept of social and environmental sustainability is not a new philosophy in African cultures and can easily be practiced among Africans based on a better appreciation of their indigenous philosophies. It attempts to explore how the Ubuntu philosophy of humanness manifests in the Adinkra symbols to give an in-depth understanding, which shows how African societies share commonality in their concepts and to establish that African indigenous philosophies mirror strongly social and environmental sustainability dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals. It further attempts to show a purview of Ubuntu extended that illustrates that social and environmental sustainability is inseparable in African philosophies. By method, the research purposefully selected six (6) Adinkra symbols and discursively analysed how they explain the Ubuntu Philosophy and their link to socio-environmental sustainability. From the findings, Adinkra symbols reflected the Ubuntu’s common values, which are compassion, mutuality and solidarity, and metaphorically showed their connection to socio-environmental sustainability and thus creates agency and deep appreciation for acting on the Sustainable Development Goals.

A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Sustainable Technical Design of a Connected, Automated, Shared and Electric Vehicle Fleet for Inner Cities

The increasing volume of personal motorized vehicles (PMVs) in cities has become a serious issue leading to congestion, noise, air pollution and high land consumption. To ensure the sustainability of urban transportation, it is imperative to transition the current transportation paradigm toward a more sustainable state. Transitions within socio-technical systems often arise from niche innovation. Therefore, this paper pursues the technical optimization of such a niche innovation by applying a technical sustainability perspective on an innovative mobility and logistics concept within a case study. This case study is based on a centrally managed connected, automated, shared and electric (CASE) vehicle fleet which might replace PMV use in urban city centers of the future. The key technical system components of the envisioned mobility and logistics concept are analyzed and optimized with regard to economic, ecological and social sustainability dimensions to maximize the overall sustainability of the ecosystem. Specifically, this paper identifies key challenges and proposes possible solutions across the vehicle components as well as the orchestration of the vehicles’ operations within the envisioned mobility and logistics concept. Thereby, the case study gives an example of how different engineering disciplines can contribute to different sustainability dimensions, highlighting the interdependences. Finally, the discussion concludes that the early integration of sustainability considerations in the technical optimization efforts of innovative transportation systems can provide an important building block for the transition of the current transportation paradigm to a more sustainable state.

Pseudocapacitive Storage in Molybdenum Oxynitride Nanostructures Reactively Sputtered on Stainless-Steel Mesh Towards an All-Solid-State Flexible Supercapacitor

Exploiting pseudocapacitance in rationally engineered nanomaterials offers greater energy storage capacities at faster rates. The present research reports a high-performance Molybdenum Oxynitride (MoON) nanostructured material deposited directly over stainless-steel mesh (SSM) via reactive magnetron sputtering technique for flexible symmetric supercapacitor (FSSC) application. The MoON/SSM flexible electrode manifests remarkable Na+-ion pseudocapacitive kinetics, delivering exceptional ~881.83 F.g-1 capacitance, thanks to the synergistically coupled interfaces and junctions between nanostructures of Mo2N, MoO2, and MoO3 co-existing phases, resulting in enhanced specific surface area, increased electroactive sites, improved ionic and electronic conductivity. Employing 3D Bode plots, b-value, and Dunn’s analysis, a comprehensive insight into the charge-storage mechanism has been presented, revealing the superiority of surface-controlled capacitive and pseudocapacitive kinetics. Utilizing PVA-Na2SO4 gel electrolyte, the assembled all-solid-state FSSC (MoON/SSM||MoON/SSM) exhibits impressive cell capacitance of 30.7 mF.cm-2 (438.59 F.g-1) at 0.125 mA.cm-2. Moreover, the FSSC device outputs superior energy density of 4.26 μWh.cm-2 (60.92 Wh.kg-1) and high power density of 2.5 mW.cm-2 (35.71 kW.kg-1). The device manifests remarkable flexibility and excellent electrochemical cyclability of ~91.94% over 10,000 continuous charge-discharge cycles. These intriguing pseudocapacitive performances combined with lightweight, cost-effective, industry-feasible, and environmentally sustainable attributes make the present MoON-based FSSC a potential candidate for energy-storage applications in flexible electronics. Figure 1

COVID-19 and social sustainability: the case of Mauritius

ABSTRACT Social sustainability, alongside environmental and economic sustainability, is one of the three key dimensions of sustainability. Unlike environmental and economic sustainability, social sustainability is often missing from research and practice related to sustainability efforts and policies. Using in-depth qualitative interviews and official document review this article studies the COVID-19 pandemic response of the small island developing state, Mauritius. Using the Opp, Susan M. [2017. “The forgotten pillar: a definition for the measurement of social sustainability in American cities.” Local Environment 22 (3): 286–305] framework for social sustainability, this research finds that Mauritius had both successes and failures in maintaining and promoting social sustainability on the island nation and are at a crossroads with respect to the future of social sustainability on the island. Although the island nation holds an impressive record in engaging in social sustainability efforts, longstanding inequalities were exacerbated during the pandemic and the changed economic outlook may jeopardize the small island's momentum towards their 2030 sustainability goals.

Incorporating aquatic biodiversity into sustainability index for hydrographic sub-basins: a multi-criteria stakeholder assessment approach in the Upper Paraná River

Sustainable development assessments in hydrographic sub-basins are powerful tools used to guide stakeholders. However, there remains a gap in incorporating new indicators (e.g., biodiversity indicators) into sustainability indexes, which have generally underestimated the environmental dimension. We propose an update to these indexes by incorporating biodiversity data on hydrographic sub-basins. Our goal was to introduce a new ecological sustainability index for hydrographic sub-basins (ESI-sb) that utilizes aquatic ecological indicators. We selected 16 indicators and aggregated them into four sustainability dimensions: economic, social, eco-environmental and negative environmental. We used a multi-criteria analysis based on the analysis hierarchy process (AHP) method to catch stakeholders' importance level of each indicator. The ESI-sb was calculated using the weighted average between the sub-indexes that represent the dimensions. Finally, we applied Gi* statistics to identify the ecological sustainability hotspots and coldspots regions, and the results showed in the Serra do Mar region, the southern region, and the Federal District had high ecological sustainability values; meanwhile, the hydrographic sub-basins that formed the coldspot clusters were located in the western region of the Upper Paraná River basin. The incorporation of aquatic biodiversity data into the index represents an innovation in sustainability indexes recently proposed to hydrographic sub-basins.Graphical abstract

Social sustainability in urban mobility: An approach for policies and urban planning from the Global South

Historically, transportation projects and urban mobility policies overlook the dimension of social sustainability, mainly focusing on economic and environmental criteria. This neglect, seen enhanced in the Global South, leads to long travel times, growing congestion, reliance on motorcycles, high traffic accident rates, and limited access to public transport, jobs, and urban facilities, especially for the more vulnerable population. In light of these issues, this paper proposes the Social Sustainability of Urban Mobility (SSUM) approach as an analytical framework that assesses the state of social sustainability in urban mobility by applying a Systematic Literature Review where three gaps were found. First, by tailoring the SSUM approach to the context of the Global South, it is possible to address the population-focused gap in urban mobility. Second, in the literature review, a theoretical gap defining social sustainability in urban mobility and its three primary categories has yet to reach a consensus among practitioners and academics. Finally, more empirical research should be conducted to discuss methodological aspects of operationalizing the SSUM approach through the three main categories: accessibility, the sustainability of the community, and institutionality. The SSUM approach promotes implementing a sustainable urban agenda that builds inclusive, equitable, and just cities in urban mobility.

Mexican national dietary guidelines promote less costly and environmentally sustainable diets.

The 2023 Mexican Healthy and Sustainable Dietary Guidelines (HSDG 2023) were developed to include all dimensions of sustainability. Here we compare the environmental impact and cost of diets based on the HSDG 2023, current diets and the Mexican-adapted EAT healthy reference diet. Diets following HSDG 2023 are 21% less expensive, require 30% less land to be produced and have 34% less carbon emissions than current diets-particularly in Mexico City and other urban areas with higher prevalence of Westernized diets. This is driven by reduced animal-source food, especially red meat, and ultra-processed foods. In south-rural areas, the water footprint and cost of diets following HSDG 2023 were higher than those of current diets owing to increased intake of nuts, fruits and vegetables not offset by lower meat consumption (which is already close to recommendations). Diet environmental impact and cost could be further reduced with the Mexican-adapted EAT healthy reference diet compared with the HSDG 2023.