Sustainable Agenda Research Articles

First, ‘things’ first: prioritizing environmental goods tariff reductions at the WTO

Abstract Negotiations to liberalize trade in environmental goods are a key indicator for the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) capacity to pursue climate and environmental objectives. Experience with Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations within the WTO demonstrates the necessity to establish obligations and/or procedures that link environment and trade law as the WTO pursues a sustainability agenda.

Exploring the direct impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on organisational innovation output and institutional isomorphism: a study in the context of multinational life sciences organisations

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate potential direct impact of environmental, social and governance factors (ESG) on organisational innovation and their role as isomorphic factors in multinational life sciences organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe authors applied necessary condition analysis (NCA), using the R statistical tool to determine the direct impact of environmental (E), social (S), governance(G) and composite ESG factors on innovation, represented by research and development (R&D) expenditure across a sample of 86 multinational life sciences companies.FindingsThe study established that ESG factors have a positive impact on the innovation output of multinational firms in the life sciences industry. Further, the study also established that ESG factors act as isomorphic factors in the organisation of multinational life sciences firms in implementing sustainability practices.Originality/valueThis empirical research study was a novel attempt to establish a direct impact of ESG factors on innovation output of multinational life sciences firms. This was one of the first empirical studies to integrate the institutional theory with the resource-based view and thereby demonstrate that ESG factors had a significant role in contributing to institutional isomorphic behaviour, in the form of sustainable innovation as a strategy. This study established the importance of ESG factors in defining the sustainability agenda of multinational life sciences organisations. Lastly, the study elucidates the benefits of the integration of sustainability as a strategy in multinational life sciences corporations.

Reinventing trade, environment and development interlinkages: lessons from the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement

Abstract The trade pillar of the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement (EUMAA) has demonstrated critical problems with the way in which the EU handles interlinkages between trade, environment and development in its free trade agreements, particularly through its Sustainability Impact Assessments and Trade and Sustainable Development Chapters. But instead of prompting fundamental change, key EU actors have responded by merely tinkering with the existing model. This article explores why such an approach is insufficient to address the urgent ecological and developmental challenges which EUMAA specifically, and EU trade agreements more generally, currently ignore. It argues that the sustainable development paradigm underlying the EU’s trade and sustainability agenda must be strengthened through the explicit incorporation and then operationalization of the concepts of planetary boundaries and socio-economic equality. It utilizes the example of EUMAA to demonstrate the kind of concrete changes that could flow from this strengthened sustainable development paradigm including (I) the creation of radically different negotiating processes (II) the utilization of trade measures within FTAs to achieve key environmental and developmental goals and (III) the redistribution of environmental and developmental responsibilities among key actors who are the subjects and objects of trade governance.

GF-1 WFV satellite images based forest cover mapping in China supported by open land use/cover datasets

The United Nations sustainable development agenda emphasizes the importance of forests. China’s forests cover 5% of the world’s forest area, significantly influencing global climate and ecology. In recent decades, China’s forests have undergone notable changes. Accurate forest cover maps are crucial for understanding forest distribution, conducting ecological research and sustainable management. However, there is a lack of forest cover maps satisfying the criteria. To this issue, this study focuses on developing a precise 16-m resolution forest cover map of China. For this purpose, we propose a forest classification framework based on weakly supervised deep learning and prior knowledge from open datasets. Utilizing this framework and GF-1 WFV satellite images, we generated China’s forest cover map in 2020 named FCM16. The FCM16 is evaluated using 136,385 sample points, achieving an overall accuracy of 94.64 ± 0.12%, producer’s accuracy of 91.12 ± 0.27% and user’s accuracy of 87.31 ± 0.34%. Additionally, FCM16 was compared with existing forest-related datasets, demonstrating its reliability. In general, FCM16 effectively represents China’s forest cover in 2020, providing a valuable resource for social and ecological analysis.

Green Pan-Africanism: Normative power and the making of a regional sustainability order

Abstract This article examines the role of normative power in shaping the global sustainability order. It challenges the prevailing focus on hegemonic leadership and norm diffusion from dominant states, arguing that less powerful states have contributed significantly to the global order by creating regional initiatives tailored to their unique contexts. The article adopts an alternative theoretical framework of norm-governed change, comprising norm-building, institutionalisation, and transformation. Using an illustrative case study of Africa’s regional economic institutions, it employs process-tracing and archival analysis of key policy documents. The study demonstrates how African states have proactively embedded environmental norms within their regional initiatives, while contributing to the global sustainability agenda, exemplifying a form of normative power referred to as ‘Green Pan-Africanism’. This approach broadens the understanding of global sustainability governance, positioning less economically powerful actors as active participants in world-making. The findings highlight the critical role of normative power in advancing global sustainability governance, particularly in addressing complex global challenges such as climate change.

Exploring Digital Fluency Skills Among the Business Organizations’ Workforce as A Competitive Advantage Tool: Quest for Sustainability

In advancing the sustainability agenda, it is imperative for business organizations to equip their workforce with digital fluency skills in today’s digital landscape. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to review the digital fluency skills among the companies’ workforce in terms of implementation and challenges; and (2) to explore the role of digital fluency skills as a competitive advantage tool in realizing Sustainable Development Goals using the Resource-based View Theory. This paper highlights several challenges relating to digital fluency skills among personnel in business organizations, including lack of ecosystem, readiness, and awareness. This is among the first papers that conceptualize the digital fluency skills of the workforce as an intangible resource. This paper also proposes a hierarchical model of the digital fluency skills of the workforce to the business, national, and sustainable development goals.

An Overview of Factors Influencing Corporate ESG Performance

With the advancement of the global sustainability agenda, the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of corporations has become a focus of attention for both academics and businesses. However, existing studies have focused on the exploration of single factors affecting ESG performance, with relatively few comprehensive analyses. The purpose of this paper is to complement and expand existing research by systematically sorting out and analysing multiple factors affecting corporate ESG performance. This paper systematically collates the external and internal factors of corporate ESG performance. By comprehensively analysing the existing studies, it reveals the specific role mechanisms and influence paths of these factors on corporate ESG performance. The findings show that external factors such as policy and regulation, the digital economy, and investor attention, as well as internal factors such as heterogeneous majority shareholder governance, executive characteristics, and green bond issuance, significantly affect corporate ESG performance. These factors work together to drive better corporate ESG performance.

Transport sustainability – a bibliometric, systematic methodological review and future research opportunities

Purpose Over the past decade, achieving sustainability in the transport sector has become a significant concern for governments and stakeholders. In this context, this study aims to comprehensively analyse the existing literature to document contributions and methodological deficiencies and pave the way for future research. Design/methodology/approach The authors used thematic, bibliometric and methodological systematic reviews of 39 articles across 30 sources from 112 authors between 2005 and 2023. Findings Using the Biblioshiny, the bibliometric analysis unveils the top prolific authors, contributing sources, most productive countries, top-cited papers and evolving keywords in advancing transport sustainability literature streams. The analyses revealed two strands of literature (those from the composite perspective and the triple-bottom-line perspective). The authors further consolidated indicators to measure the three pillars of transport sustainability comprehensively. Originality/value This paper uses a holistic approach to provide a state-of-the-art understanding of transport sustainability useful for the net zero or sustainable transport agenda. This paper is among the few attempts to consolidate indicators to measure transport sustainability from the triple bottom line perspective, whilst also offering exciting directions for future studies and inspiring hope for a more sustainable transport sector.

Aligning CEO compensation with sustainability performance: the role of CEO duality, board size, and compensation committees

This study uses agency theory to examine how board size, compensation committee, and CEO duality align the pay-performance relationship with long-term sustainability performance. We examined companies from nine Asian emerging economies with a sustainability score greater than 0.50 between 2010 and 2019. The findings support the pay-performance relationship proposed by agency theory in the presence of a robust governance structure. The relationship is more significant in firms with high ESG scores. Our study claimed that the compensation committee has a significant role in aligning sustainability objectives with CEO compensation, which improves the firm's market and financial performance. However, board size has no discernible impact on the CEO pay-performance relationship. CEO duality negatively affects this alignment since the CEO misuses their power to influence the compensation committee's role in tying sustainability agendas with the CEO's pay performance framework. Furthermore, CEO compensation is significantly impacted by firm size, which is justified by the complexity and increased responsibilities associated with managing larger firms. Conclusively, this investigation suggests that the inconclusive evidence on CEO compensation around the world should be studied with governance mechanisms. This study advances knowledge of agency theory and the connection between sustainability performance and compensation. The findings of the study highlight the role of governance structure in aligning executive compensation with sustainability to improve long-term performance. These findings suggest policymakers promote strong governance mechanisms that reduce the CEO's power to influence the board and enhance the independence of the compensation committee to independently design the executive compensation package essential for aligning executive pay with sustainability performance.

Green Entrepreneurship for Sustainability Business: A Bibliometric Analysis

Objective: The purpose of this research is to identify important topics, trends, and significant contributions in the field of green entrepreneurship research for sustainable business practices. Theoretical Framework: As a sustainable company model, green entrepreneurship is well-positioned to tackle environmental issues and promote economic stability. The analysis makes use of ideas of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability to shed light on how green business models support both social and financial goals, sustainable development goals. Method: Bibliometric data from the Scopus database covering the years 2002–2024 were used in the analysis. VOSviewer and Biblioshiny in R Studio were used to examine 341 data to map the intellectual structure of green entrepreneurship. The analysis focused on authorship, citation patterns, and keyword co-occurrences. Results and Discussion: The results show a significant rise in publications about green entrepreneurship after 2020, which is consistent with the growing interest in sustainable practices and climate action around the world. Economic impact, educational policy, climate change, and green technology were among the six topic clusters that surfaced. The study demonstrates a spatial and institutional concentration of knowledge production by highlighting contributions from nations like the USA, UK, and China as well as organizations like Universidad de Lima. Research Implications: The study indicates that the sector may grow if digital innovation and green entrepreneurship are combined, and if SME engagement is increased. For business strategy to incorporate sustainability, policy assistance in the form of partnerships and incentives is essential. Originality/Value: This study offers a thorough analysis of the development and importance of green entrepreneurship, establishing it as a major force behind the global sustainability agenda. It provides important insights into environmental stewardship and sustainable development by pointing up research gaps and future initiatives.

The Technopolitics of Hydrogen: Arab Gulf States’ Pursuit of Significance in a Climate-Constrained World

Despite uncertainties surrounding the hydrogen economy’s emergence in terms of technological innovation, production, storage and transport, policy and regulation, economic viability, and environmental impact, countries worldwide actively pursue initiatives to engage in this critical energy transition. Politicians, analysts, and global experts see ‘clean’ hydrogen as the ultimate solution for addressing the climate crisis. This optimism is shared by several major oil and gas-exporting nations, which are investing heavily in hydrogen infrastructure to establish themselves as future global hubs. Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are especially well-positioned, benefiting from strategic advantages over other hydrogen-producing regions in the Global South. Advocates in these countries view hydrogen as a potential ‘silver bullet’ for sustaining political and economic influence in a world increasingly shaped by climate constraints. Western technology and expertise play a significant role in supporting these efforts. By using various qualitative methods, this paper employs and expand the concept of technopolitics to evaluate the role of industrialized nations in endorsing the Gulf states’ authoritarian, top-down, techno-optimistic approach to their sustainability agenda.

Navigating Urban Space

This paper explores pedestrian mobility patterns in Kypseli, a dense and socio-economically diverse neighborhood in Athens, Greece, that it is considered as a typical Greek residential area, in terms of its built environment and road network characteristics. The research method included crowdsourced geospatial data overlayed on cadastral maps, and semi-structured interviews with residents and visitors to understand the routes they usually take, the routes they could take, and the routes they would like to take. The study also applied space syntax analysis, using angular integration and choice tools, to assess how the urban layout impacts the pedestrian flow. Findings showed that the walking routes are primarily influenced by safety, accessibility, and pavement width, with well-connected streets and streets with intense mixed land-use. The study highlights the importance of urban design and land management in promoting the perceived walkability. It also recommends enhancing pedestrian spaces to create more sustainable, livable, and socially inclusive cities to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 SDG 11.

BIM-GIS Integration for Interactive, Open and Low-Cost 3D Land Use Registration and Urban Neighbourhood Management

This paper is part of an on-going research study on developing a low-cost and approachable methodology for f-f-p, transparent and future inclusive 3D land use management for an urban neighbourhood by constructing a homogenous, open, cloud-based and free-to-use virtual BIM-GIS geospatial infrastructure. The proposed platform is structured for registering, classifying and visualizing volumetric land use prisms, distributing conceptual and geometric information, conducting statistical analyses and data exchange aiming for optimal decision making, urban neighbourhood management and land use tracking. The proposal aspires to aid the successful and timely achievement of the UN Sustainable Agenda 2030, in particular SDGs 1,9 and 11. The methodology includes: 1) the creation of approximate BIMs by utilizing open and available data and platforms, 2) modelling of land uses as 3D volumetric prisms, 3) registering semantic and geometrical land use information and 4) crafting statistical graphs, emphasising on data compilation and BIM-GIS standards implementation.

To what extent is the banking sector devoted to sustainability? A bibliometric and content analysis

AbstractThis research explores the diverse scenario of sustainability in the banking sector, aiming to comprehensively map the existing literature on the subject. It uses a comprehensive literature review methodology, applying bibliometric and content analysis techniques. Based on an analysis of 142 papers, the study traces the trajectory of sustainability in the banking sector, identifying key challenges and unresolved issues. The study not only offers insights into the interplay of sustainable practices but also sheds light on the internal struggles within the banking sector to integrate environmental, social, and governance practices into daily operations. The findings reveal that the main topics related to banking sustainability are sustainability reporting, banking performance, and customer loyalty. Additionally, the research examines the definitions of essential constructs, such as sustainable banking and finance, green banking and finance, exploring overlaps and distinctive characteristics. The findings provide valuable contributions to research by pinpointing critical literature gaps and offering practical insights into a broader sustainability agenda, including its primary challenges.

Using Social Space Perspective to Explore SDGs Curricula Localisation: Case Study at Two Japanese National and Private Universities

ABSTRACTDrawing on the concept of the Production of Space this article examines how sustainable development agenda was localised—in design, operation and students' lived experiences—in two international education programmes at two universities in Japan. We analysed relevant programme documents, interviews with faculty members, students' reflective notes, as well as the authors' autoethnographic journals. The findings show that the local and institutional context influenced the SDGs curriculum design (representations of space or the conceived space). The virtual and physical learning spaces, the pedagogy and the operation of the programme (spatial practice or perceived space) shaped students' interaction and learning outcomes (representational space or the lived space). As instructors attempted to adopt SDGs in their teaching (through perceived space) and as students tried to gain interdisciplinary knowledge through SDGs (through lived space), both parties negotiated and challenged the programme design shifting the conceived spaces. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the localisation of SDGs within the internationalisation of higher education by employing Lefebvre's spatial analysis. This approach reveals the complex socio‐spatial dynamics at play, offering insights into how educational environments are constructed and experienced.

A simple formula to fabricate high performance lithium metal capacitors

Energy storage technologies that are low-cost, with long cyclability, high rate-capability as well as high energy and power densities are under intensive investigation for sustainable clean energy transition. In this paper, we report a high-performance lithium metal capacitor (LMC) achieved by a simple slurry modification during the cathode film preparation. We show that a mere substitution of ~0.4 wt% conductive carbon by single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) increased the specific energy of LMCs by 22 %. Porous carbon cathode in this study was obtained from a non-edible biomass (coconut rachis); the optimized sample showed desirable surface characteristics (surface area ~1933 m2⸱g−1 and pore diameter ~2.0 nm) as well as high edge-plane fraction (ratio between relative density of edge and basal plane ~0.4). Cathode with no SWCNTs show a specific capacitance (CS) of ~133 F·g−1@0.1 A·g−1 in the potential window 2.0–4.0 V in the Li//LiPF6//AC device configuration. Removal of conductive carbon by SWCNTs up to ~0.6 wt% increased electrical conductivity of the cathode; however, the charge storability enhancements were only up to ~0.4 wt%. The optimum device delivered a CS ~188 F·g−1@100 mA·g−1 in the potential window 2.0–4.0 V with improved rate capability and cycling stability. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used as a tool to understand the charge kinetics at the electrode; these studies collectively validated the observed enhancements in the charge storability. The device hereby developed showed superior specific capacity than most of the reported lithium-ion capacitors and comparable to some of the LMBs. The perceived 22 % increase in the specific energy by a mere 0.4 wt% SWCNT substitution is a step forward in fabricating the high-performance LMCs in addition to support the sustainability agenda through the carbon-negative precursors.

Does the presence of a sustainability committee strengthen the impact of ESG disclosure on tax aggressiveness? Insights from North America

AbstractWe investigate the influence of ESG disclosure on tax aggressiveness within the North American Travel and Leisure (T&L) sectors, specifically examining the role of sustainability committees in this relationship. Our analysis utilizes longitudinal panel data from the USA B3000 and Canadian S&P/TSX indices over the period from 2010 to 2020. Employing fixed-effects panel quantile regression with two distinct measures of tax aggressiveness, our findings indicate that firms with a focus on ESG tend to display higher levels of tax aggressiveness. This suggests that some companies might use strong ESG performance as a facade to obscure aggressive tax strategies. Moreover, our research introduces new evidence that the existence of sustainability committees can both hinder corporate tax aggressiveness and foster an ethical corporate culture, which aligns higher ESG engagement with lower tax aggressiveness. Our study underscores the importance of fostering tax compliance in T&L companies, emphasizing that individuals and corporations, which often seek direct state benefits, regard robust public services as essential for encouraging adherence to tax regulations. Furthermore, sustainability committees play a crucial role in enabling firms to address broader social issues, including tackling tax aggressiveness, thus shaping their sustainability agendas.

Optimization of Space Data Development and Distribution and Capacity Building in the Philippines through the PhilSA Integrated Network for Space Enabled Actions towards Sustainability (PINAS) Project

Abstract. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) implemented the PhilSA Integrated Network for Space Enabled Actions towards Sustainability (PINAS) to establish an active network of institutions and citizen scientists that will work together to utilize space data and information in support of the sustainable development agenda. The project was conceptualized to address the inherent challenge in gathering feedback, disseminating space data and information, and conducting capacity building initiatives in an archipelagic nation. The project will be conducted in three (3) phases, Phase 1: Network Building, Phase 2: Capacity Building, and Phase 3: Build Up and Expansion. This paper highlights the initial activities and preliminary assessment of the PINAS Project. The results of the initial activities illustrate the potential of the project in optimizing data products and its distribution processes, and in strengthening local capacity to use space data and information. This contributes to the development of effective capacity building initiatives and efficient space data optimization and data-sharing workflows in the country.

Improving Mechanisms for an Equitable Transition to Low-Carbon Development within the BRICS Framework

Nowadays transformational changes are going together with the need to address global environmental and climatic challenges. The BRICS member countries realize the need for a fair energy transition to lowcarbon development both within the association and globally.Aim. The objective of the research is to highlight the priority areas that BRICS member countries need to focus on to ensure an equitable and cost-effective transition to low-carbon development at the global level.Tasks. In order to achieve the objective of the study, it is necessary to analyze the components of the BRICS equitable low-carbon development agenda as well as its applicability at the global level.Methods. The research was conducted using the method of systematic analysis of a wide range of academic and empirical sources. The author adheres to a systematic scientific approach.Results. Through the analysis of key initiatives of the BRICS member countries, including legislative ones, five priority areas on which the BRICS needs to focus on to ensure a fair energy transition at the global scale are identified: removing discriminatory measures in multilateral trade, achieving food security and economic growth, facilitating non-discriminatory access to technology, promoting environment and climate cooperation, and enhancing the human resource potential of the energy sector.Conclusions. The author concludes by noting that such a BRICS sustainable development agenda is capable of initiating energy transition processes on a global scale.

Insurance market development and economic growth in Africa: Contingencies and thresholds of structural transformation

Despite insurance contributions to economic growth, the intervening role of structural transformation on the insurance-growth nexus remains scarce, leaving a gap in the literature. Motivated by the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which envisages higher structural transformation, financial development and economic progress, this study examines the threshold effects and the joint impact of insurance and structural transformation on economic growth in Africa. The study employed the generalised method of moments and dynamic panel threshold estimations on 38 countries covering 2008 to 2020. The following findings emerge: First, insurance and structural transformation promote economic growth. Second, the results indicate that structural transformation enhances the impact of insurance on economic growth. This suggests that structural transformation matters in driving insurance market development, ultimately promoting economic growth. Third, the empirical evidence further reveals nonlinearities in the relationship and presents that a high level of insurance penetration stimulates growth and vice versa. More so, the synergistic effect of insurance and structural transformation on economic growth is more substantial at higher threshold levels. This implies that though insurance spurs economic growth, its impact is more effective through the intervening role of a strong structural transformation. Therefore, this study calls for government intervention and policies to improve structural transformations and form insurance synergies to promote growth.