Sustainable Consumption Practices Research Articles

Carbon Emissions and Sustainable Supply Chains: A Stackelberg Game Analysis of Multinational Firm Relationships

Against the backdrop of global climate change and sustainable development, carbon emissions within transnational closed-loop supply chains have become a critical area of research. This paper utilizes a Stackelberg game model to analyze the relationship between a single export manufacturer and an import retailer. The study investigates the optimal solutions of the supply chain model—wholesale price, retail price, sales volume, and profit—across three consumer preference scenarios: no obvious preference, pure green preference, and pure new preference. Furthermore, this paper examines the impact of carbon emissions per unit of product on supply chain decision-making under two scenarios: with and without carbon trading. Carbon trading, which significantly increases unit costs, exerts a profound influence on the strategic decisions of both manufacturers and retailers. In addition, this paper incorporates carbon tariffs and taxes into its analysis, providing a theoretical foundation for governments and policymakers to promote sustainable production and consumption practices. The validity of the model is confirmed through numerical simulations, which reveal that under pure green and pure new preference scenarios, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are more inclined to invest in emissions reduction to minimize tariff costs. In contrast, under no obvious preference scenarios, OEMs are more likely to adjust product portfolios to evade carbon tariffs. This research advances the understanding of low-carbon production strategies in transnational supply chains, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for balancing economic and environmental objectives.

Navigating the Paradox: Materialism, Sustainable Practices and Well-Being in Emerging Markets

In emerging markets, the prevalence of materialistic tendencies has intensified consumption, impacting both the environment and consumer well-being. This research examines the paradoxical relationships between materialism, sustainable practices and consumer well-being through two cross-sectional studies. We explore linear and curvilinear relationships among these concepts across two sustainable practices (organic food consumption) and post-consumption (disposal of electronic waste). Study 1 investigates the relationships between organic food consumption, materialism, hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. In Study 2, we replicate the investigation, focusing on post-consumption practices, particularly the relationship between electronic waste disposal, materialism and life satisfaction as a dimension of subjective well-being. Findings reveal that materialistic values can motivate both sustainable and post-consumption practices, ultimately contributing to consumer well-being. Furthermore, to some extent, materialism can moderate the association between sustainable consumption and well-being. This research provides insights for promoting sustainable consumption and post-consumption practices in emerging markets.

Integrating Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors for a Sustainable Circular Economy in Thailand

This study fills a significant research gap by examining the factors influencing the circular economy in Thailand, particularly within the context of developing countries. Utilizing regression and correlation analysis, we investigate key environmental and socioeconomic variables: greenhouse gas emissions, forest area percentage, income levels among the poorest 20% of the population, access to electricity, and income inequality. The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive integration of these dimensions to identify barriers and sustainable circular economy. Key findings reveal that higher greenhouse gas emissions correlate with increased recycling, underscoring the need for stricter emission controls and cleaner technologies. Conversely, greater forest coverage is associated with reduced recycled waste, highlighting the importance of forest conservation and sustainable land use. Economic disparities significantly impact recycling efforts, necessitating supportive policies for lower-income groups. Increased access to electricity correlates with higher waste generation, emphasizing the need for sustainable consumption practices. Although income inequality correlates with recycling rates, it is not a significant predictor, indicating the necessity for broader economic and environmental policies. This study offers novel, comprehensive recommendations for advancing Thailand’s circular economy. Strategies include implementing emission controls, enhancing forest conservation, promoting economic empowerment, encouraging sustainable consumption, and developing integrated policies. These recommendations aim to address identified challenges and support sustainable growth in alignment with circular economy goals.

Great expectations: intersecting markets, conflicting temporalities and the difficulty of shaping markets

ABSTRACT There is growing interest in how actors can shape markets. Focus has mainly been on how individual firms try to shape markets, while less attention has been devoted to exploring how actors work together to shape markets and why it is sometimes difficult to change existing markets. Based on a study of efforts to shape markets for Danish welfare pork we find that different actors are involved in different markets ruled by conflicting temporalities and time binds, making it difficult to coordinate activities and shape markets where animal welfare is a more important matter of concern. Our findings have implications for research as well as practitioners and policy makers who want to shape markets in the green transition to more sustainable production and consumption practices.

Leveraging Loss Aversion and Self-Efficacy: The Role of Water Pricing and Risk in Driving Individual Innovation for Sustainable Water Consumption

Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, requiring effective management strategies to ensure sustainable water use, particularly in regions like West Dorset, U.K., where rising prices and environmental pressures make sustainable consumption practices essential. This study develops and empirically tests an integrated theoretical framework combining Prospect Theory (PT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to examine the mechanisms driving household water conservation. Using structural equation modelling on data from 429 residents in West Dorset (response rate 78.3%), we investigated how water pricing (WP) and perceived water risk (PWR) influence sustainable water consumption through individual innovativeness (II) and community engagement (CE), with environmental regulations (ERs) as a moderator. The results revealed significant positive effects of WP and PWR on individual innovativeness, which, in turn, strongly predicted community engagement. The relationship between these factors and sustainable water consumption was significantly moderated by ERs. This study makes three key contributions: Firstly, it empirically validates an integrated PT-SCT framework in water conservation behavior. Secondly, it identifies the crucial mediating role of II in translating price and risk perceptions into community action; and lastly, it demonstrates how regulatory frameworks can enhance or inhibit conservation outcomes. These findings inform policy recommendations for tiered pricing structures, community-based conservation initiatives, and adaptive regulatory frameworks. This study provides a comprehensive model for understanding and promoting sustainable water consumption in water-stressed regions worldwide.

Ecovillage scale-up and its well-being challenges: a case study from Norway

Ecovillages are settlements that aim to combine human well-being and environmental sustainability. They serve as sites of social learning for sustainable consumption practices and may inspire lifestyle changes in mainstream society. However, most ecovillages fail in the first few years of establishment. Through an in-depth study of a Norwegian ecovillage’s efforts at expansion, this article explores the factors that adversely affected the well-being of ecovillage residents and threatened the community’s survival. The study applies mixed methods combining needs-based workshops, a well-being survey, and in-depth interviews. The transformation of the ecovillage into a larger settlement with modern houses was driven by a developer and with minimal involvement of residents. The resulting divergence in visions and values, coupled with structural problems of the homes, led to protracted conflicts, and resulted in the developer’s bankruptcy. The study identifies strong social institutions and affordable infrastructures as crucial elements for both well-being and the success of ecovillages.

Advancing sustainability in Electron and laser beam powder Bed Fusion technologies via Innovation: Insights from patent analysis

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies continuously evolve in materials and operational processes. However, challenges related to energy consumption, material reuse efficiency, and the integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles may impede the overall sustainability of AM processes. As many industrial sectors adopt AM technologies, there is a growing need for innovative tools, methods, and frameworks that guide companies toward more sustainable and circular production practices. This shift involves improving resource efficiency and fostering new Circular Business Models that emphasize material recovery, product lifecycle extension, and waste minimization. This study assesses current and future trends in the development of sustainable AM technologies for processing metal feedstock, based on a comprehensive patent analysis covering the period from 2004 to 2024. We specifically focus on the sustainability impacts of Electron and Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB, PBF-LB) and Direct Energy Deposition (DED), given their widespread industrial applications. Patents were categorized into three groups: materials, processes, and components. Furthermore, AM technologies were analyzed according to their role within the production cycle: materials preparation, pre-processing, manufacturing, and post-processing. This categorization allows for a detailed understanding of how innovations in AM contribute to more sustainable production and consumption practices by improving energy efficiency, material usage, circularity, and overall environmental impact.

Selection of Internet of Things-enabled sustainable real-time monitoring strategies for manufacturing processes using a disc spherical fuzzy Schweizer–Sklar aggregation model

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) for monitoring in real-time is geared towards sustainable energy consumption practices by taking control over energy loss. The promising potential of current IoT real-time monitoring systems paves the way for future developments in monitoring devices with eco-friendly sensing capabilities. As a result, the creation of effective IoT real-time monitoring devices targeted at decreasing energy loss becomes crucial. This modeling procedure falls under the realm of multiple-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM), aiming to integrate the Schweizer–Sklar (SS) τ-norm and τ-conorm within the disc spherical fuzzy (D-SF) framework. The objective is to enhance the flexibility of D-SF in dealing with intricate and uncertain data. The core focus of this research is on deriving SS τ-norm and τ-conorm for D-SF data, consequently introducing innovative aggregation operators. The article offers the fundamental D-SF operations using SS aggregation operators in a systematic manner, with thorough theorem justifications. A new MAGDM tool is presented, created simply to manage ambiguous and imprecise data utilizing the suggested operators. Our model is specifically designed to tackle the critical issue of reducing energy loss in IoT real-time monitoring systems. The research not only focuses on model accuracy but also emphasizes its effectiveness in solving this pressing problem, demonstrating significant advancements in sustainable energy practices. Moreover, the proposed aggregation operators are subjected to a comparative analysis. This comprehensive comparison not only enhances the operators’ efficacy but also underscores their relevance in real-world decision-making scenarios.

Toward environmental sustainability: Is responsible consumption and production of natural resources amid green energy, green technology, and green finance achievable?

AbstractThe relentless devastating impacts of global warming and other climate change effects leading to incessant ecological damages have compelled governments across the globe to rethink the pattern of natural resource depletion. This has motivated policymakers, governments, international organizations, and research pundits alike to advocate for a transition to sustainable consumption and production of natural resources. Consequently, there is a growing call for sustainable production and consumption practices, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG‐12). This research probes how natural resource production and consumption facilitate or hinder environmental sustainability in G7 economies from 1996 to 2020. The empirical evidence incorporates green energy, green technology, green finance, environmental tax, financial development, economic growth, and population as control variables within the STIRPAT theoretical framework. Second‐generation estimating techniques are utilized for empirical verification. An outstanding contribution of this study among others is the estimation of the moderating effects of green energy in mitigating the ensuing impact of natural resources on environmental sustainability. The results indicate that both production and consumption of natural resources, particularly coal and oil negatively affect environmental sustainability. Furthermore, green technology, energy, and finance as well as environmental tax are found to play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability. Green technology plays significant part in subduing the deteriorating effects of natural resources on the ecosystem. The robustness analyses further buttress the main analyses. Policy recommendations are proposed based on the empirical results.

Impact of green trade on green growth in Malaysia: A dynamic ARDL simulation

Green economic growth emphasizes developing an economy that safeguards natural resources, enhances resource capabilities, and promotes sustainable resource utilization. This approach is vital for balancing economic development with environmental preservation, highlighting the efficient and sustainable use of renewable and non-renewable resources to maintain a clean environment and societal well-being. It also stresses the long-term preservation of natural resources for green growth and prosperity. Environmental sustainability is key for economic growth, as poor sustainability can lead to economic decline due to inefficient resource use. The Eleventh Malaysia Plan highlights the importance of green economic growth, focusing on areas such as creating a supportive environment for green growth, adopting sustainable consumption and production practices, conserving natural resources, and strengthening resilience against climate change and natural disasters. This study examines the impact of natural resource use on the green economic growth in Malaysia from 1990 to 2021, with a focus on green trade as a key component. To achieve this objective, this study utlizies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method and also its extension, the Dynamic ARDL (DYNARDL). Estimation results for both model indicate that green trade has a significant long run positive impact on green economic growth. While for short run, only DYNARDL method found evidence for positive impact of green trade. These findings suggest that policymakers should further promote green trade as a means to enhance sustainable and equitable resource use, thereby supporting the growth of the green economy in Malaysia.

The Effectiveness of China’s Anti-Food Waste Campaign on University Canteens

Food waste in university canteens is a significant issue in China, contributing to environmental degradation and financial inefficiencies. In response, the Chinese government and universities have implemented comprehensive anti-food waste campaigns aimed at reducing waste volumes and promoting sustainable consumption practices. This paper examines the effectiveness of these measures, focusing on their impact on student behavior, operational efficiencies, and broader environmental benefits. Key initiatives include the introduction of portion control options, educational programs, and advanced waste monitoring technologies. Through case studies and comparative data analysis, the study highlights significant reductions in food waste, cost savings, and improved environmental outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of combining technological innovation with behavioral change to achieve long-term sustainability in campus dining.

The Butterfly effect in the consumption of electric and hybrid cars: between utilitarianism and environmental awareness

In this study, we conducted an investigation aimed at understanding the consumption of hybrid or electric vehicles from utilitarian or substantive aspects. Employing a qualitative and exploratory approach grounded in culture and consumption studies, we adopted netnography as the method for data collection and analysis (Kozinets, 2006; 2019). Our focus was directed towards participation in an online community of electric car consumers, as well as the analysis of interactive chats and comments on online videos about hybrid cars. Surprisingly, our findings revealed that many consumers embark on their journey motivated by the financial benefits of electric cars, drawn by the promise of savings. However, over time, we identified an intriguing phenomenon that we termed the "butterfly effect": as consumers engage more deeply in the consumption experience and interact within the online community, there is a significant increase in environmental awareness. This finding suggests that sustainable automobile consumption transcends purely utilitarian considerations, incorporating values and environmental concerns. Interaction within the online community emerges as a crucial factor in this process, serving as a catalyst for a shift in perspective towards vehicle consumption. The exchange of information, experiences, and perspectives within this virtual environment appears to stimulate deeper reflection on the environmental ramifications of their consumption choices. Thus, this study offers significant insights into the dynamics of consumer behavior regarding sustainable vehicles, highlighting the importance of online interactions in promoting environmental awareness and the adoption of more sustainable consumption practices. Furthermore, it underscores the need for a more holistic approach to understanding consumer motivations and decision-making processes in this evolving landscape.

Understanding the Intention Behind Muslim Consumers’ Decision to Purchase Green Products

The increasing global emphasis on sustainability has significantly influenced consumer behaviour towards green products. However, the specific factors driving green purchase intention (GPI) remain insufficiently explored in the literature. This study examines the determinants of GPI among Muslim consumers in Banjarmasin, focusing on three critical variables: green product knowledge (GPK), plastic ban policy (PBP), and religiosity. A quantitative research approach was utilized, involving data collection through a structured questionnaire administered to 465 respondents aged 18 and older with prior experience purchasing green products. The study employed PLS-SEM with SmartPLS version 3 for the analysis. The results is insignificantly influence GPK on GPI statistically. In a different way, PBP shows a significant effect on GPI, highlighting the effectiveness of regulatory measures to encourage sustainable behaviour. Additionally, religiosity shows a significant positive influence on GPI, indicating that moral and ethical considerations rooted in religious beliefs are crucial in shaping consumer attitudes towards green purchasing. This research enriches the literature by merging regulatory, cognitive, and cultural viewpoints to deepen understanding of green consumer behaviour. It also provides actionable insights for policymakers and marketers to encourage sustainable consumption practices.

Impact of climate change on Chinese college students’ consumption behavior: A case study of Jilin University

This study investigates the impact of climate change on the consumption behavior of Chinese college students, especially their daily expenses. Using a survey method, data were collected and analyzed to understand the correlation between climate change awareness and consumption choices among students at Jilin University. The findings indicate that over 70% of respondents believe climate change significantly affects their daily lives and consumption habits. Particularly, changes in transportation choices were most prominent, with 68% of students opting for greener travel options. However, less willingness was observed in reducing online shopping or paying carbon taxes. These insights highlight the need for tailored educational interventions to enhance climate change awareness and promote sustainable consumption practices among college students.

Briefing for Circularity. Translating EU policies into operational guidelines for the building project

Abstract The current EU interest in Circular Economy offers novel opportunities to move towards more sustainable production and consumption practices. Literature confirms that building stakeholders are expressing a growing demand of common references and tools to support the integration of circular principles in building processes. The paper introduces a methodological approach meant as an information support tool to translate EU circularity policies into guidelines for building design and management. Indeed, the challenge is to translate circularity objectives and targets into specific requirements expressed from one stakeholder to another, up to the last operator involved in the supply chain. The requests along the different levels of the supply chain must be consistent with each other and with the initial circularity objectives expressed at the origin by the client. Hence, starting by outlining the complexity of the fragmented building supply-chain, the paper identifies the proper level of detail for expressing circularity requirements and, therefore, for communicating mutually consistent circularity objectives at the different levels of the supply chain. Supporting the integration of circularity requirements within Project Briefs (design phase) and Invitations to Tender (management phase), the proposed tool lays the foundations for the experimentation of circular building practices and for the systemic evaluation of compliance with EU circularity objectives.

Plant the pot! Understanding consumer willingness to pay for sustainability in garden shop products

This study explores consumer preferences for various sustainability attributes in gardening pots using a discrete choice experiment. Data were collected from 499 respondents in garden shops across Milan and Monza, Italy. The study examines different aspects of sustainability, focusing on attributes that influence consumer purchasing decisions, such as the use of renewable energy, recycled material usage, ethical certification, and end-of-life options (recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable pots). The primary objectives are to determine consumers' preferences and the relative importance of these sustainability attributes in gardening pots and assess the impact of educational information on these preferences and willingness to pay. A mixed logit model is employed to capture the variations in preferences across the entire sample, providing a detailed analysis of the average willingness to pay for each sustainability attribute. A latent class model aimed to identify distinct segments within the sample, revealing specific groups of consumers with unique preference patterns and varying monetary evaluations for sustainable features. The results indicate strong preferences for reusable and recyclable pots, followed by biodegradable options and products made with recycled materials. Additionally, providing consumers with educational information about the environmental impacts of plastic pots significantly influenced their preferences and willingness to pay. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by offering detailed insights into consumer behaviour towards sustainable gardening products and their relative importance and providing actionable recommendations for policymakers and marketers to foster sustainable consumption practices.

An Assessment of Promoting Culinary Tourism in Ghana

Purpose: Ghana's tourism and hospitality industry has been extensively researched over the past five decades, primarily focusing on culture and heritage tourism, nature and economic tourism, marketing, and service quality. The aim is to assess the potential of culinary tourism as a powerful tool for creating sustainable livelihood empowerment channels, offering a beacon of hope for the future. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted with a rigorous qualitative research design and desk review approach, ensuring a comprehensive topic exploration. Published data and literature on the food tourism prospects of eight regions in Ghana were analysed. The gathered data was then subjected to content analysis, a common technique in qualitative research. Research Limitation: The findings derived from the desk review may not be generalisable to other contexts, populations, or geographic areas due to the reliance on specific literature that may not capture all perspectives. This acknowledgement ensures that the audience is fully informed about the scope of the study. Findings: The study exposes the stark reality that the culinary tourism market in Ghana, despite its significant potential, remains underdeveloped. This underscores the crucial need for strategic interventions and the active participation of all stakeholders in the industry's development. Practical Implication: From a practical point of view, the Ghana Tourism Authority must show greater interest in developing the sector by organising regional and national food festivals annually. This effort must be publicised internationally to attract tourists interested in exploring Ghana's culinary diversity. Social Implication: Culinary tourism promotes sustainable food production and consumption practices by emphasising local, seasonal, and environmentally friendly ingredients. This reduces tourism's carbon footprint and supports responsible consumption patterns. Originality/Value: This study has revealed a significant research gap with practical implications. Thus, narratives on the potential of culinary tourism across eight regions in Ghana have known to have been provided practical actions towards enhancing culinary tourism in Ghana.

Proposing the Model to Accelerate SMEs to Apply Green Economy Practices Through the Utilization of Social Crowdfunding

Following Indonesia's commitment to promoting the achievement sustainable consumption and production practices (RCP- SDGs Number 12), a plan must be put in place to motivate important players (SMEs) to support the green economy. The limitations of SMEs in terms of funding to be able to implement green economic practices are accommodated through access to financial technology, namely social crowdfunding. To gain insight into how SMEs implement green economic practices by utilizing social crowdfunding, a survey was conducted on 75 SMEs use descriptive research design. The results of the descriptive analysis found that some SMEs have not been able to take advantage of social crowdfunding due to several reasons: not being able to access the right website, having requirements that are difficult to fulfill and their technology skills are not yet good. An interesting insight that was extracted from the results of this survey is the high level of confidence among SMEs that implementing green economic practices using social crowdfunding can improve business performance and are confident that they can overcome all difficulties. The proposed conceptual model can apparently be supported by research results which produce the proposition namely:" willingness to participate in implementing green economic practices using social crowdfunding needs to be driven by creating strong awareness and interest by triggering 3 important determinants, namely stakeholder management, community engagement and entrepreneurship strategy”. In the future, this conceptual modeling can be used to conduct quantitative research so that it can explore the facts in the field in a comprehensive manner.

Influence of moral reasoning and environmental concern on sustainable food consumption behaviors: A gender comparison among university students

Currently, South American countries face social and environmental challenges that can be addressed through the transformation of food purchasing and preparation patterns. This study aims to enhance comprehension regarding personal factors influencing sustainable food consumption, by examining the impact of moral reasoning and environmental concern on this behavior. The responses of 233 Chilean university students to an online self-report survey were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The results have shown that moral reasoning and environmental concern positively impact sustainable food consumption behaviors, such as opting for food with minimal packaging, conserving energy during cooking, and repurposing food waste. Additionally, significant gender differences in these effects were observed. These novel findings provide further evidence supporting the necessity of bolstering moral education and environmental consciousness to foster the adoption of sustainable food consumption practices among university students in developing South American nations. Furthermore, the results underscore the importance of considering gender distinctions in education, particularly in light of entrenched family and societal roles.

Energy literacy among young adults in the European countries

Energy literacy is an essential prerequisite for informed and sustainable energy consumption habits. Our paper focuses on factors influencing young adults’ attitudes and behaviours and their knowledge of sustainable energy consumption practices. The research was conducted in five European countries, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia and Poland, and data were collected from 219 young adults between the ages of twenty-nine and thirty-nine. The methods used are statistical analyses, including principal component analysis, a technique for analysing large data sets and identifying influencing factors. We used a statistical software package (SPSS) for the analyses. Our analysis revealed five significant factors influencing the energy literacy of young adults. The key factors were education and awareness, investment in energy efficiency, age and gender, climate change and environmental protection, sustainable lifestyle and social environment. Policymakers, educators and other stakeholders can work towards creating a more energy-literate and sustainable society by understanding the key factors that influence energy literacy.