Agenda For Sustainable Development Research Articles

Rewinding the Tape: Documentary Heritage to (Re)discover “Lost” Natural Hazards—Evidence and Inferences from Southern Italy

The knowledge of natural hazards that occurred in the past is essential for implementing forecasting and prevention actions, for managing risk, and identifying proper land use. Floods do not escape this rule. This article sheds light on an unknown intense rainfall period, which affected the Campania region and the territory of the current Molise region (Southern Italy) on October–November 1961. The period culminated in floods, particularly involving the town of Benevento (Campania region), which had been affected by several inundations over centuries. The research made an extensive use of unpublished archival sources. The documents allowed us to both outline the pluviometric and hydrological picture of the period and catalogue seventeen physical and environmental effects suffered by over two hundred municipalities. Furthermore, we also disclosed the economic consequences in the wide territory involved. Special attention was paid to Benevento, for which we also drew up the scenario map related to the 19 October flood. For this town, historical data were effective for developing and testing the hydraulic model of the Sabato and Calore Rivers, which overflowed at the site. In this regard, we made some considerations on the current flood risk of the town. From a methodological point of view, we stress the importance of a historical approach in close relationship to other expertise for the knowledge of natural hazards, tracing also some future perspectives. The research complies with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Goal 11 concerned with making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The research findings will be useful for scholars and practitioners for both improving flood hazard models and arranging archival research path. Finally, local authorities in charge of risk mitigation can also benefit from the research results.

“Why Here?”—Pull Factors for the Attraction of Non-EU Immigrants to Rural Areas and Smaller Cities

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the crucial role of the regional dimension for economic, social, and environmental development. Sustainable development may be linked to migration management to strategically disperse international migrants to regions in need of ameliorating rural challenges. This paper explores the features affecting international migrants’ intentions to move to rural areas, such as Alentejo, Portugal, based on a set of micro-, mezzo-, and macro-sociological migration theories to support policymakers. This paper addresses the following research question: what motivates immigrants’ decisions to move to rural regions, such as Alentejo, Portugal? Practitioners (n = 8) and migrants (n = 15) were interviewed, and then a thematic analysis supported by MaxQDA 2022 was conducted. The results suggest that there is a set of motives for international migrants to move to rural areas and smaller cities based on multilevel factors, both economic and non-economic, such as the following: employment availability and promises of work; lower living costs compared to bigger cities; quality of life; local services support; and echoes of the country of origin. Migrants’ networks and seeking greater opportunities were consistent motives. The pull to rural areas, however, is a side effect of the attraction of Portugal and Europe as destinations. The conclusions highlight implications for policy and practice on migration and local development.

Developing a thriving domestic tourism sector in emerging economies: a horizon 2050 paper

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to argue for the development of a vibrant domestic tourism sector in emerging economies as a means of moving towards a more sustainable tourism sector and achieving many of the goals outlined in the UNWTO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Design/methodology/approach It uses a perspective approach through a critical state-of-the-art review of selected domestic and international tourism studies. Findings This paper illustrates how developing such a sector will provide a range of economic and social benefits to emerging economies and their residents, as well as lowering the per-capita tourism carbon footprint of destination areas. Practical implications This study identifies policy initiatives that can be developed to help emerging economies transition from an international tourism focus to a more balanced focus. Social implications This study indicates the social benefits of developing a domestic tourism sector in emerging economies. Originality/value It equips national tourism organisations and small and medium tourism enterprises with specific actions for the use of tourism as a prosperity tool in the pursuance of these benefits. It, further, calls for a research agenda on investigating how emerging economies are uniquely progressing towards this global goal through thriving domestic tourism recognising that each economy is culturally different.

Self-Employed Workers and the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: An Overview of Their Social Benefit Entitlements across 31 European Countries

One of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8). While the actions suggested to reach this goal target numerous actors in the labor market, such as entrepreneurs running small and medium-sized enterprises, unemployed people, students and young people, persons with disabilities, children and adults forced to work, and migrant workers, these are not the only important groups to focus on. This paper discusses a group receiving less attention: self-employed workers. Through a review of literature and the legislative framework on the social benefits of self-employment across 31 European countries, challenges to the self-employed achieving decent work are identified. The most prominent challenges are that, in many countries, these workers lack social protection against unemployment or accidents at work and that the conditions for their entitlement to social benefits are more demanding than for employees. These constitute impediments to achieving SDG 8‘s goal of “decent work for all”, and SDG 10′s aim to “reduce inequalities”.

Bridge Monitoring Strategies for Sustainable Development with Microwave Radar Interferometry

The potential of a coherent microwave radar for infrastructure health monitoring has been investigated over the past decade. Microwave radar measuring based on interferometry processing is a non-invasive technique that can measure the line-of-sight (LOS) displacements of large infrastructure with sub-millimeter precision and provide the corresponding frequency spectrum. It has the capability to estimate infrastructure vibration simultaneously and remotely with high accuracy and repeatability, which serves the long-term serviceability of bridge structures within the context of the long-term sustainability of civil engineering infrastructure management. In this paper, we present three types of microwave radar systems employed to monitor the displacement of bridges in Japan and Italy. A technique that fuses polarimetric analysis and the interferometry technique for bridge monitoring is proposed. Monitoring results achieved with full polarimetric real aperture radar (RAR), step-frequency continuous-wave (SFCW)-based linear synthetic aperture, and multi-input multi-output (MIMO) array sensors are also presented. The results reveal bridge dynamic responses under different loading conditions, including wind, vehicular traffic, and passing trains, and show that microwave sensor interferometry can be utilized to monitor the dynamics of bridge structures with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. This paper demonstrates that microwave sensor interferometry with efficient, cost-effective, and non-destructive properties is a serious contender to employment as a sustainable infrastructure monitoring technology serving the sustainable development agenda.

Sustainable development insights: synergizing publishing and academic research to propel SDGs Forward

Objective: To explore the integral roles of the publishing industry and Scopus, an academic research tool, in supporting and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Method: Qualitative analysis focusing on the impact of publishing on SDG awareness, the evolution of the SDG Publishers Compact, Scopus's role in integrating SDGs, and the broader implications of these initiatives. Results: Identification of challenges and opportunities in implementing the Compact's objectives, highlighting the importance of collaborative research efforts to tackle complex global challenges, with special emphasis on Scopus's inclusion of SDGs. Practical Implications: Highlights the synergistic impact of publishing and academic tools in advancing the sustainable development agenda, suggesting the need for collaboration among publishers, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Conclusions: The integration of SDGs into the publishing industry and academic tools represents a significant step forward in the global effort to achieve sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of information and knowledge in fostering a more informed, engaged, and proactive global community.

EU Cooperation Programmes for Central Asia: New Challenges and Responses

This article aims to analyse EU cooperation programmes for Central Asia, placing emphasis on the importance of cross-regional cooperation in creating a favourable environment for business development and foreign investment, aligning those cooperation programmes with the UN Sustainable development agenda and the implementation of the universal Sustainable Development goals. The author highlights regional and local social and institutional characteristics focusing on EU-Central Asia cooperation. The article assesses the importance of cross-regional cooperation in creating a favourable environment for both business development and foreign investment, and provides analysis on EU-Kazakhstan cooperation. The author applies the monographic method, as well as the graphical method, secondary data analysis, and the qualitative method in the form of an expert interview. The author concludes that the relationship between the European Union and Central Asia is of global significance and their ties are likely to increase in strength in the future bearing in mind, notably, Russia’s and China’s interest in retaining Central Asian countries within their own sphere of political and economic influence. The author puts forward proposals that additional EU multidimension external programmes are paramount for the EU’s and Central Asia’s productive relations.

A pathway to urban sustainability: Understanding the challenges of unpopulated allocated residential lands in Oman

The right to adequate housing is recognized as fundamental human right as per the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is globally agreed that access to land is the core foundation for realizing the right to housing. However, policies related to access-to-land right has varied between different countries resulting in multiple urban challenges. Several oil-rich countries, such as Oman, address access-to-land right by means of land-allocation. In Oman, lottery system is used whereby citizens participate to get a residential plot form the government for minimum fees. This particular policy has resulted in a large number of land plots being unbuilt, which in turn resulted in fragmentation in cities.To address this issue a facilitated interactive focus group study, based on the social constructivism paradigm, was conducted in Oman aiming at identifying the factors that influence individuals' decision to build on the allocated land. The study concludes by identifying obstacles that prevent citizens from making building decision after receiving the land, which are in order of their significance: Need, Financial Capability, Location, Services and Neighborhood Quality. This will provide evidence-based guidelines for policy makers to overcome this challenge and achieve better urban sustainability aligned with the country's 2040 vision.

Sustainable rural electrification: small hydropower stations, electrification and rural welfare improvement in Tanzania

Purpose Tanzania is rich in small hydropower (SHP) potentials. However, many of these potentials have yet to be fully used, and more than two-thirds of its rural population lacks access to electricity. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of SHP stations in improving rural welfare in the southern highlands of Tanzania. It further explores the history, cost-effective analysis and threats to the sustainability of SHP as one of the renewable energy sources. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative research design to explore respondents’ views on the role of SHP stations in facilitating rural electrification and welfare improvement. Primary data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with the 27 key informants and beneficiaries of SHP stations from the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. In addition, the study used documentary research to complement the information from the field survey. Findings The findings found that SHP stations enhance rural electrification and welfare by providing electricity in remote areas with sparse populations. They operate as standalone off-grids, often by church communities and individuals. However, the sustainability of SHP stations is hampered by challenges such as climate change impacts, high capital investment costs, heavy siltation of small reservoirs, skilled manpower shortages, limited local manufacturing capabilities and infrastructural issues. Originality/value The study contributes to the ongoing debate on renewable energy supply and uses, focusing on how SHP stations could contribute to sustainable rural electrification and achieve the 2030 United Nations agenda for sustainable development, which, among other things, aims to safeguard access to sustainable and modern energy and alleviate energy poverty.

Nexus between Urban Circular Economies and Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Literature Review

Since the definition and publication of the 2030 Agenda in 2015, addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been pivotal in guiding carbon neutrality and sustainable solutions in urban development. Despite the passage of nine years, tangible successes in achieving the SDGs have been limited, underscoring the critical need for innovative approaches to fostering energy performance and reducing carbon emissions. This study advocates for adopting circular economy principles as a strategic pathway to mitigate environmental, social, and economic challenges and promote sustainable, net-zero-energy solutions. Through a systematic literature review spanning multiple databases, this research underscores the synergy between urban circular economies (UCEs) and the SDGs, with a particular focus on sustainable solutions, resource use circularity in construction, and renewable energy integration. By setting stringent eligibility criteria, this review captures a wide array of perspectives, providing a comprehensive analysis that bridges the gap between urban sustainability, renewable energy adoption, and climate change mitigation efforts. The analysis of 23 selected papers reveals a substantial linkage between UCE practices and the advancement of SDGs, highlighting the pivotal roles of responsible consumption, resource efficiency, and regenerative practices in achieving co-benefits through policy and regulatory frameworks towards carbon neutrality. The findings recommend implementing a holistic approach that integrates urban sustainability with circular economy principles, offering a structured insight into the potential of UCEs in fostering a sustainable transition in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Organic consumption as a means to achieve sustainable development goals and agenda 2063

AbstractAs the global population approaches 10 billion by 2050, addressing sustainable food production is imperative for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, and Agenda 2063's Aspiration 1 for inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa. This qualitative study explored South African consumers' perceptions of organic food using an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model. Emphasising health perspectives, it investigates implications for SDGs and Agenda 2063. Employing non‐probability snowball sampling, 25 semi‐structured interviews reached data saturation. Thematic analysis revealed that while health and environmental benefits of organic food are recognised, many consumers do not perceive organic food as inherently healthier. The study underscores the need for improved communication and consumer education to align perceptions with sustainability goals and foster a prosperous future and achievement of Agenda 2063.

A Systematic Review and Global Trends on Blue Carbon and Sustainable Development: A Bibliometric Study from 2012 to 2023

Halfway through Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, only 15 percent of the goals have been reached. As a carbon storage and climate change mitigation mechanism, blue carbon is closely related to sustainable development goals and plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. In spite of its great potential, blue carbon still faces several challenges in terms of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Herein, this review aims to retrieve all known impacts of blue carbon on sustainable development through research published on the Web of Science from 2012 to 2023 using a sequence of bibliometric analyses. Keywords such as “blue carbon” and “sustain*” (including “sustainability”, “sustainable”, etc.) were used for article extraction. CiteSpace, a science mapping tool, was used to capture and visually present the bibliometric information in the research about blue carbon and sustainable development. Upon reviewing the existing literature, no study has concentrated on bibliometrically analyzing and visualizing studies about blue carbon and sustainable development. This study sets out to fill this gap by examining the key areas of concentration in published works on blue carbon and sustainable development from 2012 to date. Moreover, the integration of blue carbon and sustainable development may help to develop supportive policies for marine carbon sinks. Despite the valuable contribution of this study to the blue carbon and sustainable development body of knowledge, generalizations of the results must be made cautiously due to the use of a single database, which in this case is the Web of Science.

The impacts of decarbonization pathways on Sustainable Development Goals in the European Union

Climate action to achieve the Paris Agreement should respect the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Here, we use an integrated assessment modelling framework comprising nine climate policy models and quantify the impacts of decarbonisation pathways on Sustainable Development Goals in the European Union at regional and national levels. We show that scenario-consistent assumptions of future socio-economic trends and current climate policies would improve energy- and carbon-related aspects of sustainability and reduce inequalities. Ambitious net-zero emissions pathways would further improve health and agricultural productivity. Furthermore, countries currently lagging in achieving sustainable development goals would see the greatest benefits from ambitious climate action. Negative socio-economic impacts from climate action on poverty, hunger, and economic growth will require specific corrective policies. While our analysis does not quantify the negative effects of less ambitious climate policy, it demonstrates where co-benefits and trade-offs of greenhouse gas mitigation and sustainable development agenda exist and can guide policy formulation.

Deep eutectic solvents applications aligned to 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development

Sustainable living means understanding how lifestyle choices impact the world and how the livelihoods of current and future generations can be sustained. If the current production and processing patterns are switched to sustainable ones, this will contribute to diminishing adverse effects such as pollution and climate change. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are biodegradable, biocompatible, low cost and tunable green solvents extensively analyzed in different areas to replace traditional harsh organic solvents. DESs are rapidly emerging in numerous applications owing to their green character and physicochemical properties, leading to their used, not only as solvent systems, but as catalysts, adsorbent agents, electrolytes or nanocarriers for the encapsulation of anticancer drugs, and in very diverse areas. Therefore, DESs can contribute to developing sustainable processes from different points of view. This review presents the main applications of DESs aligned to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically to those related to energy efficiency improvement, sustainable production patterns and action to combat climate change. Giving an overview about the implementation of DESs for process intensification and sustainable production, and in some cases how authors reconfigured processes using DESs to obtain cost effective, less labor-intensive, ecofriendly, safe, and highly effective approaches.

Implications of Machine Learning in the Generation of Renewable Energies in Latin America from a Globalized Vision: A Systematic Review

The global energy industry fundamentally transformed towards renewable energy sources, driven by the sustainability paradigm. This shift was crucial in addressing the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity. Machine Learning (ML) played a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of scientific production at the intersection of ML and renewable energy generation, focusing on Latin America. Employing a methodology based on documentary research and bibliometric processes, utilizing the Scopus database with the support of R and VOSviewer software, our research revealed a significant increase in interest and investment in research related to ML and renewable energies since 2020. This exponential growth scenario in this knowledge area had significant implications for Latin America and the world, fostering technological advancements and the adoption of renewable energies. Countries such as China, India, the United States, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia represented 61% of the global scientific production in this field, underscoring its global relevance. This growth indicated a growing interest and investment in ML applications in renewable energies, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This research aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). It contributed to progress toward a more sustainable future, benefiting society through more efficient and sustainable energy systems, the energy industry through increased innovation and the adoption of clean technologies, and Latin America, which could leverage these findings to sustainably drive its economic and environmental development.

Mortars and Renders: The Case of the Roman Villa Horta da Torre Fronteira, Portugal

The archaeological site of villa Horta da Torre in Portugal reveals distinctive architectural features within the context of Roman villae in Hispania. Notably, the triclinium was designed with an artificial cascade originating from a double apse wall, and the walls were adorned with mosaic tessellae panels and marble skirting. During the Roman era, the surrounding area belonged to the former province of Lusitania, with Augusta Emerita serving as its capital. This study examines 11 mortar samples from various contexts and functions, such as masonry, preparatory, render, and opus signinum mortars. A set of complementary analytical techniques was employed to determine the textural and mineralogical compositions of the mortars. The aim was to gain insights into the production techniques and the selection of raw materials within the geological context of this rural construction. It was observed that the processing of raw materials and production techniques did not always adhere to the rules of Vitruvius. A comparison with other villas revealed comparatively less meticulous attention to sand selection and precise layering for mural painting. Nevertheless, it was noted that in preparatory layers for the supranucleus and nucleus tesserae, ceramic pieces were intentionally added to improve the mortar. The binder used was calcitic lime, likely obtained from locally sourced limestone. The nature of aggregates is diversified but consistent with the local geological provenance within a radius of less than 3 km, in accordance with two sand exploration sites. This research aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, contributing specifically to SDG 11 and Target 11.4, which “aims to strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage”.

Land Grant University Participants’ Eurocentric Attitudes about Agriculture: An Ideological Constraint to Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Socio-cultural Eurocentric views about agriculture may diminish educational efforts to globalize the curricula at land grant institutions in the United States of America. While many U.S. inhabitants have historical and/or cultural ties to Europe, the modern U.S. agricultural industry is dependent upon contributions from diverse agricultural origins. Recognizing ideological origins in agriculture helps educators prepare curricula and teach others through inclusive and equitable education that is consistent with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The purpose of this study was to explore postsecondary students’ and employees’ Eurocentric attitudes about agriculture at a large southern U.S. land grant university. A cross-sectional design and random samples constituted the study population. Eurocentric attitudes existed primarily among undergraduate students and staff members. Respondents with family actively engaged in agriculture and those enrolled in the college of agriculture had stronger levels of Eurocentric beliefs, as did respondents with at least one previous international experience. Efforts to lessen Eurocentric attitudes about agriculture are needed in postsecondary education. Additional study of the origins of belief systems and factors affecting attitudinal formation may provide useful insights for replacing outdated ideals and achieving cognitive consistency in understanding the global agricultural industry.

Localizing human rights through the Sustainable Development Goals: The case of Los Angeles

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have achieved widespread influence among various state and nonstate actors globally. Although the UN General Assembly intended the SDGs for national governments, local-level actors have emerged as key stakeholders in defining and implementing the goals. Human rights movements have long advocated for the inclusion of local voices in international law. I bridge these discourses to investigate how the SDGs framework can socialize government actors to incorporate human rights principles in local governance. Specifically, I explore how local-level actors have advanced human rights through the localization—local adoption and adaptation—of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the case of Los Angeles. The iterative process of localization in Los Angeles illustrates the dialectical process of human rights globalization and emerging institutions that can enable rights realization locally. The case highlights the (1) global and local factors that shape localization, (2) how partnerships lead to more explicit attention to human rights over time, and (3) the ways in which Los Angeles is now shaping localization transnationally. I discuss the critical role of local government actors as agents of norm diffusion, and the need to expand community engagement mechanisms in pursuit of SDG localization and human rights globalization.

Investigation into the Impact of Pika Population Dynamics on Grassland Degradation and the Development of Management Strategies: A Case Study Conducted in Sanjiangyuan National Park

This study focuses on the dynamic changes of pika and rabbit populations in Sanjiangyuan National Park and its impact on grassland degradation. The Sanjiangyuan region, as an important part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has a unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity. As a key species in the area, the pika's activities play an important role in loosening the grassland soil and retaining moisture. However, due to the dual impact of climate change and human activities, the excessive growth of the pika population has led to the severe degradation of the grassland ecosystem and the formation of “black soil beaches”, which not only destroys the natural recovery ability of the grassland but also affects the livelihood of local herders had a negative impact. In the context of global sustainable development, this study proposes a series of scientific and reasonable management measures, including the implementation of dynamic rotational grazing, returning grazing to grassland, forage planting, and green prevention and control of pikas, etc., to achieve the goal of realizing cattle, sheep, and pasture and ecological coordination among pikas. At the same time, the study emphasizes the in-depth understanding of the role of pikas in the ecosystem and their relationship with grassland degradation through scientific research, providing a scientific basis for formulating effective ecological protection and restoration strategies. In addition, the study also puts forward suggestions for establishing a sound legal and regulatory system, strengthening protected area management institutions, and promoting public participation, publicity, and education. These measures aim to ensure that ecological protection work in Sanjiangyuan National Park is effectively implemented and to promote the sustainable development of local communities. The case of Sanjiangyuan National Park has important reference significance at the global level, demonstrating how to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental protection through ecological protection and restoration work. This has a guiding role for other regions around the world facing similar ecological problems and will help promote the implementation of the global sustainable development agenda. In short, the ecological protection and management of Sanjiangyuan National Park requires the joint efforts of the government, scientific research institutions, local communities, and the international community to achieve long-term ecological security and sustainable development.

Poverty line income and fisheries subsidies in developing country fishing communities

Eradicating poverty and harmful fisheries subsidies are two pressing challenges frequently addressed in international agendas for sustainable development. Here we investigate a potential solution for addressing both challenges simultaneously by asking the hypothetical question: to what extent can harmful fisheries subsidies provided by a country finance the cost of lifting fishers out of poverty? Focusing on 30 coastal least developed countries, we find that fishers in 87% of these countries do not earn sufficient income to satisfy the extreme poverty line income of USD 1.90/person/day, and that it would cost an estimated USD 2.2 to 2.6 billion to lift these fishers to different levels of poverty line incomes. Our analysis further suggests that at the country level, redirected harmful fisheries subsidies can cover the entire cost of covering the poverty income gap for between 37 to 43% of assessed countries. Our results provide quantitative evidence that can be used to support simultaneous progress towards achieving several Sustainable Development Goals, including those dealing with poverty reduction, food insecurity, and ocean sustainability.