Agenda For Sustainable Development Research Articles

Food waste and the EU target: effects on the agrifood systems’ sustainability

ABSTRACT The reduction of food losses and waste is part of the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (target 12.3) and, consequently, is one of the EU’s political priority in the field of circular economy. In this framework, the target 12.3 of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development stated, by 2030, a not quantified reduction in post-harvest losses and a halving of food waste at the retail and consumers levels; while the EU Commission has recently set the target, by 2030, of reducing by 10% food losses occurred at the stage of processing and manufacturing and by 30% food waste occurred at the stage of retail and consumption. Food losses and waste should primarily be considered an expression of inefficiency of agricultural production processes determining several environmental, social and economic impacts. The quantification of food losses and waste is still an unsolved problem so much so that, in EU; currently available data are only related to the period 2020–2021 and, in many cases, are based on estimates and are not uniform in individual Member States. This makes reliable predictions of results achievable by the European Union particularly difficult. The aim of this paper is to analyze whether the plan of losses and waste reduction established by the EU Commission is able to both ensure the achievement of 2030 Agenda target 12.3 and to make a contribution to improving the sustainability of agri-food systems. In doing so, in addition to Eurostat data on losses and waste, the EU-Commission projections and the latest results of recent studies on environmental, social and economic impact of food losses and waste in EU were used, including indicators on hidden costs of agrifood systems developed by FAO. What observed shows that the EU-Commission reduction plan, if implemented, should result in a reduction of losses and waste inadequate for complying with the recommendation given by the target 12.3. Furthermore, the EU-Commission’s decision not to provide for losses reduction at the agricultural stage should significantly limit environmental benefits, given that much of the negative environmental impacts (GHG, land and water use, etc.) are ascribable to this stage as are, according to FAO estimates, hidden environmental costs. Besides limiting environmental benefits, the EU-Commission reduction plan, focusing only on the food losses and waste reduction in the final stage of supply food chain, could lead to negative social and economic impacts caused by a decline in the demand, which will reduce supply, jobs losses and GDP reduction. The conclusion on this, is that the reduction of food losses and waste is an issue that cannot be addressed separated but needs to be included in a wider program of integrated and complementary measures as a whole clearly aimed at realizing forms of circular economy.

Practicing Multilevel Governance: The Revision of the Piedmont Regional Territorial Plan

The regional level plays a relevant role in spatial governance and planning in Europe, as it constitutes the most suitable scale to both program European Union funding and territorialize international development strategies. In this light, regional spatial planning instruments play a crucial role in translating general objectives and recommendations (e.g., those included in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) in place-based implementation practices. This contribution reflects upon the implementation of a methodology aimed at engaging a multidisciplinary team of students in the revision of the Piedmont regional territorial plan (PTR), developed in close cooperation with the regional public administration. This problem-based learning activity supported the integration of supranational strategic objectives and funding streams with the regional territorial development priorities. In so doing, it represents a possible way to practice multilevel governance in concrete terms, employing the PTR as a meaningful catalyst.

Does technological innovation in National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zones promote green development?-the case from Chengde City, China.

The National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zones (NSDAIDZs) aim to spearhead green development through scientific and technological innovation, showcasing sustainable development to other regions in China and offering valuable insights for countries worldwide. Taking Chengde City, which is one of the cities in the second batch of NSDAIDZs, as a case study, we examine the quantitative impact of technological innovation on green development. Additionally, it investigates the threshold effect of Research and development investments (R&D investments) on the relationship between technological innovation and green development. The results indicate that: (1) technological innovation has a positive promoting effect on green development, with a 1.01% increase in green development for every one unit increase in technological innovation; (2) The positive effect of technological innovation on green development becomes fully realized only when R&D investments and the upgrading of industrial structure surpass a specific threshold value. We contribute to the existing research on the connection between technological innovation and green development in innovation demonstration zones. It also provides empirical insights to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between R&D investments, industrial structure upgrading, and technological innovation, ultimately maximizing the promoting role of technological innovation in green development.

Multi-stakeholder value creation and appropriation from food-related health claims

Health claims are considered a means to add value to food and beverages; however, it is not always evident which stakeholders benefit and to what extent they benefit. In this paper, we extend the investigation of value creation and appropriation into the domain of food, specifically food labels. Using a qualitative approach, we aimed to elucidate which forms of value can be created by legislating health claims (including those for bioactive compounds found in South African indigenous plants) on food labels. The findings reveal that health claims have the potential to advance the sustainable development agenda in South Africa, but only if structures can be put in place to appropriate human and intellectual (HI) value, as well as environmental value. Currently, there is strong evidence for economic value creation and appropriation potential, but little clear evidence that HI or environmental value will be appropriated from health claims, especially if these health claims exclude benefits from bioactive compounds found in indigenous South African plants. If we could find a means to measure the HI and environmental value creation potential of health claims, using metrics that people understand, we may be able to develop strategies to ensure that such products can benefit stakeholders beyond economic value alone (i.e. more sustainable value creation). The findings could directly impact food labelling policy formulation, considering current draft regulations to implement health claims in South Africa.

IMPROVING COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION FOR MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION TO ACHIEVE

The document describes an international community service program that focuses on multi-stakeholder participation in achieving Development Goals. Sustainable for Indonesia and Malaysia. SDGs represent the global agenda for sustainable development. To achieve this goal requires collaboration between government, the private sector, civil society organizations and the community. Both Indonesia and Malaysia face challenges such as poverty, inequality and environmental degradation in their efforts to achieve the SDGs.

ОТРАСЛИ СОЦИАЛЬНОГО СЕКТОРА СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДА РОССИИ В КОНТЕКСТЕ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ

The article considers the issues of inclusion in the Agenda of sustainable development of a set of segments/industries that make up the social sector. These segments include education, healthcare, social protection and the housing and communal sector of the economy. The binding of the named segments to the Goals of sustainable development has been established. Groups of national statistical indicators describing the designated segments of the social sector are highlighted. Using the example of the regions that are part of the Northwestern Federal District, an analysis of progress towards achieving the SDGs (namely, the Goals 1, 3, 4 ,8, 10, 11). It was revealed that the greatest degree of progress was demonstrated by the set of subjects that make up the NWFD in relation to the Goals: 1 «Poverty eradication»; 4 «Quality education»; 8 «Decent work and economic growth»; 10 «Reducing inequality» and 11 «Sustainable cities and towns». The least advanced subjects of the NWFD turned out to be in relation to SDG 3 «Good health and well-being».

Effects of Agronomical Practices on Crop Quality and Sensory Profile

In 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of “peace and prosperity for people and the planet” FAO [...]

Sustainable transformation of global ocean governance: Can a global public goods approach lead the way?

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), by setting integrated ocean goals (IOGs), is expected to strengthen the means of implementation of the legal regime of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This could lead to a sustainable transformation of global ocean governance in the Anthropocene to address systemic risks to the global oceans. Based on the realization of blue justice, the sustainable transformation of global ocean governance encompasses three holistic and interconnected dimensions: blue security, blue economy, and blue protection. It is a complex and adaptive global collective action that involves various actors and methodologies. This study introduces the concept of global public goods (GPGs) to the debate on sustainable transformation of global ocean governance, emphasizing that the process and outcome of governance transformation benefit mankind as a whole. Using cost-benefit analysis, aggregator techniques, and a heterogeneity game model to analyze the undersupply of GPGs, this study then argues that a framework for the provision of GPGs can provide adaptive institutional arrangements for coordinating the "collective action dilemma" involved in the sustainable transformation of global ocean governance. Collective action should be strengthened to promote the achievement of the SDGs: ⅰ) the establishment of international ocean regime complexity to facilitate coordination; ⅱ) the broad implementation of transboundary marine spatial planning as a tool for the coordination of interests; and ⅲ）the promotion of equitable capacity-building, including co-production of ocean knowledge, sharing information on marine data, and diversified financial support mechanisms to reduce heterogeneity.

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal Four (4) in Africa: Spotlighting the role of quality education and innovation orientation

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has damaged the global economy and business ecosystem. Also, quality education and skills mismatch have become critical in today’s working environment post-COVID-19. Furthermore, one of the 17 Global Goals comprising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is quality education, yet Africa pays less attention to this and its impact in the workplace and organizations. This study, therefore, examined the effects of quality education on the innovation orientation of selected consumer goods companies listed in Nigeria and their role in achieving SDGs in Nigeria, the most populous and largest economy in Africa. Findings showed that quality education had a significant effect on innovation orientation. This study recommends that management and stakeholders consider the benefits of quality education in innovation and innovation orientation and, therefore, channel resources to achieve and align with Sustainable Development Goal 4.

People, Peace, Prosperity, and the Planet: A Journey toward Sustainable Development in Consumer Research

Abstract With its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations (UN) developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a “blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.” This initiative raises the question: how has the Journal of Consumer Research (JCR) shed light on the SDGs? This research analyzes 50 years of consumer research through the lens of the SDG and makes four contributions. First, the authors provide a content analysis of articles in JCR and how it relates to the SDGs over time; they also analyze the Journal of Consumer Psychology (JCP) and Journal of Public Policy & Marketing (JPP&M) with regard to the SDGs. Second, this research reveals where JCR has made progress and achieved impact (via Altmetric) but also identifies gaps in the literature. Thus, the analyses shed light on what research in JCR, JCP, and JPP&M understands (and does not understand) about consumer behavior and points the way to future SDG-oriented research. Finally, based on insights from interviews with thought leaders, sociology of science, UN data dashboards, and an exploratory survey in three countries (the U.S., France, and Singapore), the authors provide recommendations on how the field can (better) incorporate the SDGs in research, teaching, and service.

Synergizing trade and sustainability: advancing SDG 14 through international trade dynamics

This paper explores the intricate relationship between international trade and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), focusing on the potential of trade to contribute positively to marine conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources. By examining the intersection of economic, social, and environmental dimensions, the study delves into how trade policies and practices can be aligned with environmental objectives, particularly concerning marine ecosystems. A principal challenge identified is the tension between economic growth driven by international trade and the sustainability of marine ecosystems, exacerbated by practices such as overfishing and pollution from maritime transport. Another significant challenge is the lack of robust enforcement mechanisms for existing environmental provisions in trade agreements. To address these challenges, the paper recommends the integration of stringent and enforceable environmental clauses in trade agreements, coupled with the promotion of sustainable trade practices through international cooperation and capacity building. Furthermore, the study suggests the adoption of innovative trade mechanisms, such as eco-certification and the implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to enhance the protection of marine life, support sustainable fisheries, and reduce ocean pollution. The paper concludes with specific policy recommendations for leveraging international trade as a tool for the sustainable management of marine resources, ultimately contributing to the broader agenda of sustainable development.

Carrots rather than sticks: Governance of voluntary sustainability standards and farmer welfare in Peru

AbstractAligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) have gained prominence as market‐based tools for sustainability governance. However, whether VSS improve economic sustainability remains subject to vigorous debate. A major limitation of the evidence base is that it does not systematically examine which VSS design attributes affect their impact. In this study, we develop a conceptual framework disentangling three main governance mechanisms through which VSS may affect farmer welfare, which we operationalize using secondary data from a nationally representative farm household survey in Peru. Our results underscore the dominant role of market‐based incentives, followed by capacity‐building, while rule enforcement with good agricultural practices has no effect on farm revenue. Additionally, organizational membership is found to amplify the revenue effects of VSS through market‐based incentives. Our findings advocate VSS organizations to strengthen market‐based incentives and capacity‐building, while improving standard setting and enforcement to effectively improve economic sustainability.

Multi-Objective Evcuation Planning Model Considering Post-Earthquake Fire Spread: A Tokyo Case Study

As an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is essential for human safety and city sustainability. In recent years, natural disasters, which have had a tremendous negative impact on economic and social development, have frequently occurred in cities. As one of these devastating disasters, earthquakes can severely damage the achievements of urban development and impact the sustainable development of cities. To prepare for potential large earthquakes in the future, efficient evacuation plans need to be developed to enhance evacuation efficiency and minimize casualties. Most previous research focuses on minimization of distance or cost while ignoring risk factors. We propose a multi-objective optimization model with the goal of reducing the risk during the evacuation process, which is called the risk reduction model (RRM). Problem-specific indicators for screening optimal solutions are introduced. The research selects the Ogu area in Tokyo as a case study, where there is a relatively high density of wooden structures, increasing the risks of building collapse and fire spread after an earthquake, and is based on a two-phase evacuation flow that considers secondary evacuation for fire response. The results indicate that, in this case, RRM can, in most situations, reduce the risk level during the evacuation process and improve evacuation efficiency and success rate without significantly increasing the total evacuation distance. It proves to be superior to the traditional distance minimization model (DMM), which prioritizes minimizing the total distance as the objective function.

Assessing ecopreneurship impact on composite sustainability in the food and beverage industry: A holistic AHP approach integrating economic and environmental dimensions.

The implementation of ecopreneurship is evolving to address environmental sustainability challenges posed by industrial pollution. Scholars are exploring ways to enhance ecopreneurship implementation globally. However, there's a gap in understanding how ecopreneurship affects sustainability across economic and environmental dimensions. This study aims to explore the impact of ecopreneurship on sustainability, considering both economic and environmental indicators. The investigation was conducted through Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) methodology covering 102 ecopreneurs operating in the Tanzania food and beverage industry. The results of the study showed that implementation of ecopreneurship results in the attainment of sustainability through composite scores of 79.5%. In conclusion, this study underscores the significant impact of ecopreneurship implementation on composite sustainability, as evidenced by notable reductions in environmental emissions and improvements in economic performance within the studied industries. The findings highlight the importance of integrating environmental considerations into entrepreneurial endeavors for achieving sustainability goals. It is recommended that stakeholders actively promote and incentivize the adoption of ecopreneurship practices, invest in eco-friendly technologies, foster collaboration, implement effective monitoring mechanisms, and integrate sustainability into business strategies. The study recommends stakeholders' efforts directed towards enhancing the implementation of ecopreneurship practices in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015–2030), specifically goal nine (9) on pollution prevention through the implementation of Eco practices-based solutions to foster innovations and sustainable industrialization. Thus, strategizing the implementation of ecopreneurship practices is considered to have an essential contribution to addressing the challenges of sustainability and therefore enriching the realization of the global sustainable development agenda.

Transformative approaches for peace-centred sustainable development: The role of social and solidarity economy

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to forge a more equitable and sustainable world by integrating peace and development efforts. Despite this ambition, challenges persist as these initiatives often operate in isolation, limiting their collective impact. Moreover, the most affected populations by conflicts find themselves trapped without resources or capabilities. The lack of development often exacerbates underlying conditions, leading to recurring conflicts. The question arises then: How can vulnerable groups overcome these barriers collectively?The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) emerges as a transformative approach to achieving peace-centred sustainable development. SSE is a people-centred and nature-responsible economic model characterised by voluntary cooperation, collective goods, local action, and democratic governance. Additionally, SSE initiatives contribute significantly to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering resilience, promoting well-being, and reducing inequalities. Although SSE is revolutionary in its principles, it has yet to be studied in an interdisciplinary manner within peace and conflict studies. This review article explores the potential of integrating SSE into peacebuilding and development agendas. Our study provides policy recommendations to enhance the impact of SSE on achieving the SDGs and promoting peace. We also identify barriers and limitations, advocating for an integrated approach to ensure collective and solidarity-driven development.

Disparities in Energy Productivity across the EU Countries

Energy plays a crucial role in everyday life and thus is one of the most essential inputs in all economic activities. Nowadays, the EU energy market has changed mainly due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The EU countries had to suddenly adapt to the new situation and secure energy supply for their citizens. But even before that, energy issues had been raised on a global scale through the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. One of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy. Therefore, this paper aims to examine energy productivity in EU countries as it should be at the heart of the ongoing debate on energy security across the EU. This study uses two sources of data: the Eurostat and OECD. The first one provides users with a composite indicator of energy productivity, which results from the division of the GDP by the gross available energy (primary production + recovered & recycled products + imports – exports + stock changes) for a given calendar year. The latter delivers an indicator of energy productivity measured in GDP per unit of total energy supply. This paper applies the β-convergence model to investigate the disparities between the EU countries in energy productivity and to see if they are widening or narrowing over time. The results show that although there are significant initial disparities, the EU countries have been converging over time; however, the speed of that process is not satisfyingly fast.

E-commerce and foreign direct investment: pioneering a new era of trade strategies

This study explores the dynamic interplay between foreign direct investment, e-commerce, and China’s export growth from 2005 to 2022 against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving global economy. Utilizing advanced analytical models that combine province- and year-fixed effects with fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least-squares methodologies, we delve into how foreign direct investment and e-commerce collectively boost China’s export capabilities. Our findings highlight a significant alignment between China’s export expansion and the global sustainable development agenda. We observe that China’s export growth transcends mere international investment and digital market engagement, incorporating sustainable practices such as effective utilization of local labor resources and an emphasis on technological advancements. This study also uncovers how knowledge capital and educational attainment positively impact export figures. A notable regional disparity is observed, with the eastern regions of China being more responsive to foreign direct investment and e-commerce influences on export trade compared to their western counterparts. This disparity underscores the need for region-specific policy approaches and sustainable strategies to evenly distribute the benefits of foreign direct investment and e-commerce. The study concludes that while foreign direct investment and e-commerce are crucial for China’s export growth, the underlying theme is sustainable development, with technological innovation and human capital being key to ongoing export success. The findings advocate for policies that balance economic drivers with sustainable development goals, ensuring both economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Mediation of psychological ownership between green human resources management and nursing faculty's green behavior.

Greening organizations have become a top priority for decision-makers in the 21st century. Psychological ownership can be improved through responsible administration, which, in turn, improves green behavior. Investigating the mediating role of psychological ownership in the relationship between green human resources management (HRM) and green behavior among nursing faculty. A correlational analytical research design was utilized to conduct the study following the STROBE guidelines. A convenience sample of 204 academic staff was used. Four data collection tools were used: sociodemographic characteristics, the green HRM questionnaire, the Psychological Ownership Scale, and the Green Behaviour Scale. Faculty members who perceive strong green HRM practices are more likely to have heightened psychological ownership, positively influencing their engagement in green behavior. Conversely, weaker perceptions of green HRM are associated with lower levels of green behavior. Psychological ownership was found to act as a partial mediator between green HRM and green behavior. Even when considering the influence of psychological ownership, green HRM has a significant and direct impact on green behavior. Faculty members who perceive a high level of green HRM practices are more likely to have a high level of psychological ownership that, in turn, influences their green behavior. Workshops on psychological ownership and green behavior can foster environmental sustainability. Policies should integrate green HRM practices into nursing education and healthcare facilities, recognizing psychological ownership's role. Incentivizing green initiatives can motivate staff, aligning with broader conservation goals. Encouraging an ethos of environmental stewardship benefits both the healthcare and sustainable development agendas.

Climate Change 2022 Mitigation of Climate Change: Urban System

The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-AR6) assesses literature on the scientific, technological, environmental, economic, and social aspects of mitigation of climate change. The IPCC-AR6 integrates factors of developments in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. It includes the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper reviews the urban system and its pathways in transition to the net zero emissions. The key messages of urban mitigation in the IPCC-AR6 are presented. It is found that the urban green and blue infrastructure can contribute to climate resilience through carbon sequestration, emissions reduction, and energy and material efficiency. It also contributes multiple co-benefits. To achieve urban transformational changes, it requires climate finance and engagement of multiple scales of governance. This includes governments and non-state actors. A knowledge gap to achieve net-zero-emissions cities is highlighted, and a case study of climate resilient development in Thailand’s building sectors towards a low carbon society is discussed.

Defining national research priorities for prostate cancer in Zambia: using the Delphi process for comprehensive cancer policy setting in sub-Saharan Africa

ObjectivesLocally led research on cancer is needed in sub-Saharan Africa to set feasible research priorities that inform national policy. The aim of this project was to develop a research agenda...