Challenges Of Sustainable Development Research Articles

Beyond the bottom line: the case of an integrated sustainability accounting course utilizing the PRME i5 framework

Purpose This study aims to showcase an integrated sustainability accounting course that utilizes the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education Impactful Five (PRME i5) framework, which is grounded in the playful learning pedagogy. By emphasizing five key learning characteristics, the PRME i5 framework equips future leaders with the skills necessary to address the challenges of sustainable development in today’s world. The paper outlines the learning outcomes for the course and puts forth some applications of the i5 strategies to guide curriculum development in this domain. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a qualitative research approach to showcase an integrated sustainability accounting course and identify the alignment of the course activities with the PRME i5 framework. Findings The paper outlines several conceptual findings including the development of a comprehensive course framework, the integration of sustainability accounting in traditional accounting curricula and a practical example on how sustainability accounting and the PRME i5 principles can be integrated and applied in accounting. Research limitations/implications While the PRME i5 framework has not been extensively implemented in this course or directly tested for effectiveness, preliminary evidence of its modest success can be inferred from student oral and written feedback. Future research could more thoroughly investigate the effectiveness of applying the PRME i5 framework in sustainability accounting education through student interviews and surveys. Additionally, future studies could explore the impact of factors such as the availability of institutional resources, faculty expertise and student backgrounds on the successful implementation of the i5 framework in different institutional contexts. The effectiveness of the course’s learning outcomes on student learning has not been empirically tested in this paper. Future research could examine the effectiveness of the course design in positively influencing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward sustainability accounting. Practical implications Showcasing how the PRME i5 framework is applied in a sustainability accounting course can encourage educators to implement innovative pedagogies in their teaching, fostering deep learning and creating more engaging learning environments. Additionally, as the course includes various hands-on activities, implementing similar accounting course frameworks can serve as a foundation for greater collaboration between educators and the accounting industry. These partnerships can enhance students’ practical experiences in the classroom, better preparing them for the job market. Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing literature on sustainability accounting education by offering a practical example of how sustainability concepts can be integrated into an existing accounting course. As integrating sustainability concepts into existing courses can be more feasible than developing standalone courses, the course outlined in this paper serves as a modest example of how universities can effectively achieve this integration. The paper also contributes to the existing literature on playful learning by exploring its potential applications in an accounting course setting. It provides a concrete example of the PRME i5 framework’s application in an integrated sustainability accounting course at a prominent triple crown accredited university in Egypt, making it a relevant and valuable case study for other accredited educational institutions.

The Criticality of the Digital Economy in Environmental Sustainability: Fresh Insights from a Wavelet-Based Quantile-on-Quantile Approach

Achieving environmental sustainability has become an urgent priority in the era of rapid digital economic expansion, which presents both opportunities and challenges for environmental sustainable development. This study investigates the impact of digital economy (DIE) on environmental sustainability (ENS) through the dual dimensions of digital industrialization (DII) and industrial digitalization (IND), employing the wavelet-based quantile-on-quantile regression method to capture both quantile dependencies and temporal variations. The results reveal that DIE positively impacts ENS in the long term, while its short-term effects are mixed, with positive effects at lower and higher quantiles but negative impacts at mid-range quantiles of [0.35–0.45] and [0.65–0.7]. Specifically, DII exerts a predominantly negative short-term effect on ENS due to the environmental costs of digital infrastructure expansion, but turns positive in the long term as digital industrialization matures, especially in [0.85–0.95]. IND, conversely, exerts a consistently positive impact on ENS in both short- and long-term scenarios, highlighting its role in enhancing industrial efficiency and reducing emissions. These results emphasize the need for targeted policies, including prioritizing industrial digitalization, developing green infrastructure, and adopting phased digital development strategies to maximize environmental benefits.

Does Local Government Debt Affect Corporate Innovation Quality? Evidence from China

This study investigates the impact of local government debt levels on the behavior of individual firms, which is crucial for understanding the systemic risks associated with local government debt and fostering economic vitality. Using data from publicly listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2013 and 2022, this study empirically examines the effect of local government debt on corporate innovation quality. The findings demonstrate that local government debt expansion has a significant negative impact on corporate innovation quality. The negative impact remains robust across endogeneity tests and multiple robustness checks. Channel analysis indicates that as local government debt increases, innovation subsidies and procurement funding led toward firms’ decline, while both tax and non-tax revenue demands indicated firm increases. This resource reallocation contributes to the observed decline in corporate innovation quality. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that regions with lower levels of government intervention and fiscal pressure exhibit a smaller negative effect of local government debt on innovation quality. Finally, examining the economic outcomes reveals that the decline in innovation quality, resulting from current local debt expansion, significantly reduces total factor productivity and firm value in the subsequent year, posing challenges for sustainable corporate development.

Application of Nighttime Light Data Simulation Based on Multi-Indicator System and Machine Learning Model in Predicting Potentially Suitable Economic Development Areas: A Case Study of the Turpan–Hami Region

In recent years, the accelerated urbanization process in China has led to increased land resource constraints and unregulated expansion, imposing significant pressure on ecosystems and the environment. As a critical node along the Silk Road Economic Belt, the Turpan–Hami region has experienced rapid urban development under policy support but faces challenges in resource utilization efficiency and sustainable development. To address these challenges, this study innovatively combines nighttime light remote sensing data to quantify urban economic development intensity and integrates socioeconomic and natural environment indicators based on previous research. Four tree-based ensemble learning models—Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost)—were employed to predict potential urban economic development suitability zones and their suitability intensity. The results show that the CatBoost model performed the best in suitability prediction, revealing significant spatial disparities: high-suitability areas are concentrated in regions with superior resource conditions and well-developed infrastructure, whereas areas with terrain constraints and inadequate infrastructure exhibit lower suitability. An analysis of changes over historical periods (2010, 2015, and 2020) demonstrates a gradual expansion of high-suitability regions over time.

Full Competition and Innovation

Economic science is built on the basis of the concept of competition. Classical School economists have not defined this concept with precision. The “Neoclassic Revolution” defined the concept of perfect competition as an ideal combination of productive resources accessible to all permanently (optimal size). Within this framework, competition ensures that suppliers will cover demand by matching market prices to both average and marginal costs corresponding to the optimal size. Large and persistent differences in profit and wage rates, when interpreted from a perfect competition perspective, will always be considered a sign of the absence of competition. Only an alternative concept of competition can modify such an interpretation. In this context, the objective of this work was to develop an alternative concept of full competition, which is formally formulated, to foster a more sustainable environment for the coexistence of enterprises of different sizes. The full competition definition assumes that firms maximize long-term benefits (fixed-capital amortization period) by trying to ensure full use of productive capacity and achieving relative advantages through innovation instead of merely adjusting prices to maximize short-term benefits. This approach provides a different explanation for inequalities in profit and wage rates, from simple adjustment in prices (perfect competition) to the search for new and better opportunities through innovation (full competition). This could change the meaning and scope of economic policies, which are influenced by both Neoclassical and Keynesian approaches, when addressing the entrepreneurial challenges of sustainable development.

Assessing the role of production capacity in mitigating carbon emissions: a case study of Algeria

This study examines the relationship between productive capacity and CO2 emissions in Algeria, addressing the pressing challenge of sustainable development in the context of climate change. The aim is to explore how enhancing production capacity can influence environmental outcomes, particularly in terms of carbon emissions. To achieve this, the study employs an Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, with results validated through an Error Correction Model (ECM), using data from 1990 to 2023. The findings reveal that improvements in productive capacity contribute to a long-term reduction in CO2 emissions per capita. However, an increase in energy consumption has the potential to undermine these gains, underlining the need for greater energy efficiency. Key policy recommendations suggest prioritizing investments in energy-efficient technologies, thereby enhancing Algeria’s productive capacity while minimizing environmental impact. This framework provides a valuable pathway for aligning economic growth with sustainable environmental practices, offering actionable insights for policymakers aiming to balance development with climate goals.

The moderating role of environmental knowledge in influencing sustainable consumption intention of Generation Z through Personal Norms, Social Norms, And Environmental Awareness

As the world grapples with the pressing challenge of sustainable development, it has become increasingly vital to understand the factors that influence consumption behavior. Generation Z, in particular, has emerged as a pivotal demographic in advancing sustainable consumption practices. This study investigates how Personal Norms, Social Norms, and Environmental Awareness influence Generation Z’s intentions regarding sustainable consumption while examining the moderating role of environmental knowledge in these dynamics.Data were gathered through in-person interviews with 395 students from Osmaniye Korkut Ata University in Turkey. The results reveal that Social Norms (β = 0.329, p = 0.000), Personal Norms (β = 0.265, p = 0.000), and environmental awareness (β = 0.178, p = 0.000) have a positive impact on sustainable consumption practices, with social norms exerting the most decisive influence.Furthermore, the findings indicate that individuals with high environmental knowledge and strong personal values are more likely to consume sustainably. In contrast, those who are significantly influenced by the behaviors of their peer groups do not show substantial differences in their consumption intentions based on their level of environmental knowledge.

Global insights and advances in edible coatings or films toward quality maintenance and reduced postharvest losses of fruit and vegetables: An updated review.

Transitioning to safe, nonthermal, and edible strategies for maintaining fruit and vegetable (F&V) quality, reducing postharvest losses (up to 55% annually), and ensuring food security requires extensive research and innovation in postharvest technologies. This review aims to provide an updated understanding of edible coatings or films (ECF), focusing on their role in reducing F&V postharvest losses, based on data from the last 40 years retrieved from the Web of Science database. The global ECF research network is represented by publication trends, majorly researched F&V, key research areas, influential and emerging authors, and global research ranking. The role of ECF in preserving F&V quality has been assessed by examining critical quality parameters, including weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ripening, softening, sensory and organoleptic characteristics, browning, chilling injury, and microbial safety. Furthermore, recent advancements in ECF formulations, including nanoscale ingredients and application methodologies, have been critically discussed. Sources, categorization, application strategies, mode of action, functional properties, sustainable development goals (SDGs), challenges, safety, legislations, and future perspectives in ECF research have also been discussed. The key findings indicate that China (20.34%) and the USA (9.94%) are the leading countries in ECF research. Studies have demonstrated ECF's potential in reducing F&V postharvest losses by maintaining quality parameters through advanced nanoscale compositions and methodologies. Notably, ECF research supports multiple SDG targets, including SDGs 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 15. Future ECF research should explore 3D-printed coatings, nonflavor-altering components, and potential crosslinking agents to enhance F&V quality and reduce postharvest losses.

Functional microbiome assembly in food environments: addressing sustainable development challenges.

The global food system faces numerous challenges, creating an urgent need for sustainable reform. Functional microbiome assemblies offer transformative potential by endowing microbial foods with diverse, beneficial characteristics. These assemblies can dynamically influence specific food systems, positioning them as a promising approach for reshaping food production. However, the current applications and types of microbiome assemblies in foods remain limited, with a lack of effective screening and regulatory methods. This review introduces the functions and practical approaches for implementing microbiome assemblies in food systems alongside future directions for enhancing their applications. Several ecological studies evaluated how to regulate functional output and revealed that environmental conditions, which shape the niche for species survival, significantly influenced the functional output of microbiomes. Building on this theoretical foundation, this review presents a model for functional output comprising niche conditions, functional gene codes, and corresponding functional outputs. This model is illustrated with examples to explore sustainable applications and regulatory mechanisms for functional microbiome assemblies. By highlighting the roles of functional outputs in food systems and examining the potential for food environments to induce and modulate microbiome functions, this review provides a roadmap to address emerging challenges in food sustainability.

Green Startup Policy in Vietnam: Current Status and Challenges for Sustainable Development

In the context of globalization and increasing awareness of climate change, green and sustainable economic development has become an inevitable trend for nations worldwide. With a strong commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vietnam is striving to promote green startup initiatives to maximize economic potential while protecting the environment and natural resources. Policies supporting green startups play a crucial role in creating a favorable environment, fostering creativity and innovation, and enhancing the competitiveness of domestic green enterprises. However, the implementation of these policies in Vietnam still faces many challenges, including an inconsistent legal framework, fragmented support resources, and barriers in accessing capital and markets. This article aims to analyze the current state of green startup support policies in Vietnam and highlight key issues to consider during the policy formulation and implementation process.

Potential, Recent Status and Future Scope of Solar Energy

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, energy security, and sustainable development, solar energy has emerged as a vital component of the global energy mix. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the potential, recent status, and future scope of solar energy in India. We begin by highlighting the vast potential of solar energy, including its abundance, zero greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing costs. We then review the current status of solar energy, including its global installed capacity, technological advancements, and market trends. Finally, we explore the future prospects of solar energy, including emerging technologies, innovative applications, and policy frameworks that will shape its continued growth and integration into the energy landscape. Our analysis reveals that solar energy is poised to play an increasingly significant role in the transition to a low-carbon economy, and we identify key areas of research, development, and investment that will be crucial to unlocking its full potential.

Externalities of urban mobility and challenges for sustainable development in Grand Lomé, Togo

Urban mobility in Grand Lomé is affected by several negative externalities, including road congestion, insecurity and environmental pollution. Traffic jams cause considerable economic losses, estimated at more than 13,000 CFA francs per month for some public officials, and represent a financial drain of several million CFA francs per day on the Togolese economy. These challenges are accentuated by rapid urbanization and a dizzying increase in the number of vehicles, especially motorcycle taxis. These factors not only cause economic losses, but also to the deterioration of the quality of life of the inhabitants. On average, motorists lose up to 49.5 min per day in traffic jams, with fuel and time costs estimated at hundreds of thousands of CFA francs per year for each user of the main boulevards. Through an in-depth analysis of the impacts of these negative externalities on mobility and sustainable development, this study reveals that traffic congestion, combined with the lack of road infrastructure, generates considerable economic and environmental costs. These traffic jams also worsen air pollution, making the transport sector responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. These proposed solutions include: 1) The modernization of road infrastructure, culminating in the construction of new lanes entirely dedicated to public and non-motorized transport. 2) The regulation of motorcycle taxis, inspired by regional examples, to improve safety and efficiency. 3) The introduction of rapid transit systems, such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), to make travel more fluid. 4) The implementation of strict environmental standards and regular technical controls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These proposals aim to reduce social and economic costs, while promoting sustainable mobility and a better quality of life for residents.

Efficient Treatment of Leachate from Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Stations via a Bioreactor–Nanofiltration System: A Pilot-Scale Study

The management of municipal solid waste leachate has emerged as a pivotal challenge in sustainable urban development. Currently, there is limited information on the practical engineering applications of bioreactors and nanofiltration systems on the pilot scale. This work employs a bioreactor–nanofiltration pilot system for the treatment of leachate in municipal solid waste transfer stations. The results demonstrate that the bioreactor–nanofiltration system exhibits excellent and stable efficiency in removing organic pollutants and heavy metal ions. The effluent qualities of COD, TN, and TP are 50, 28, and 2 mg/L, and the removal rates are 99.4%, 99.3%, and 96.1%, respectively. All types of heavy metal ions also comply with the standard limits specified in the “Wastewater quality standards for discharge to municipal sewers” (GB/T 31962-2015). More importantly, using waste materials such as mineralized waste and animal aggregates as bioreactor fillers increases the diversity of the microbial community in the system, and provides an engineering basis for the resource utilization of waste materials. The bioreactor–nanofiltration process is expected to become an ideal solution for the treatment of leachate in transfer stations.

Sprawling Metropolis: A Case Study of Indore with Sustainable Solutions

Urbanization can take many different shapes around the world: it can take the form of low-density residential neighborhoods, business districts, or industrial estates that surrounds undeveloped areas. In developing nations, urbanization rates are rising, and India's urbanization trend demonstrates growth that exceeds national borders. The limited supply and high cost of land inside city limits encourage urban growth outside of established metropolitan boundaries. Urban sprawl, or the outward growth of cities into surrounding rural areas, is a major aspect of contemporary urbanization around the world. The phenomena provides both possibilities and challenges for sustainable urban development as it is closely related to rapid population increase, economic growth, and changing patterns of land use. Major geographical changes are happening in Indian cities because of the country's rapidly urbanization, which has been accelerated by growing populations, migration from the countryside to the cities, and economic growth. By 2031, it is projected that there will be more than 600 million people residing in cities in India, which emphasizes the urgent requirement to solve the issues caused by urban sprawl. The city of Indore, India, which makes a good example of the complexities of urban growth in India. Indore, one of the most rapidly expanding cities in the nation, has grown quickly in the past few years, particularly within the northeast region. This study explores the causes behind this in Indore, the challenges it raises, and how cities can be more sustainably designed to avoid these problems. Keywords-Urban sprawl, Urbanization, Sustainability, Sustainable Solutions

Evaluation of the sustainable development efficiency of environment and energy in China

With the increasing global demand for sustainable development, China, being one of the world’s most populous countries, is confronted with increasingly prominent challenges in sustainable development of environment and energy, specifically in terms of environmental protection and energy transformation. To promote sustainable development in China’s environment and energy sector, this paper constructs an evaluation indicator system for sustainable development of environment and energy by integrating the relevant sustainable development goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The DEA-SBM model is employed for static analysis of the sustainable development efficiency and dynamic analysis is conducted using the Malmquist index, aiming to reveal regional differences and trends in the efficiency of sustainable development from 2016 to 2022. The results indicate that there is a significant disparity in the sustainable development efficiency of environment and energy among the 31 provinces in China. China has seen a slight overall improvement in the sustainable development of environment and energy, with a promotion of environmentally friendly development patterns. Moreover, technological innovation proves to be a key element in achieving more efficient and environmentally friendly development. In addition, the decomposition of technical efficiency change also makes the management level and factor allocation be attached importance.

Bibliometric study of approaches to studying collective intelligence for sustainable territorial innovation

Collective intelligence and collaborative innovation are two closely related but distinct concepts. By combining the two, actors in a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem can generate knowledge, ideas and innovative solutions based on active participation and synergy to solve complex problems. The aim of this article is to provide an in-depth and detailed overview of collective intelligence and collaborative innovation in previous literature and how they are mobilized and combined to address the challenges of sustainable development. Moreover, this study aims to explore the methods and approaches adopted in research carried out in this field. A scoping review following a systematic literature approach was carried out using the PRISMA-ScR method. 78 scientific articles were selected between 2013 and 2023 from two online databases. To achieve our objectives, our research questions were subdivided into 4 tasks and missions. By following our research process and strategy, and after conducting a review of the different phases of our research, the results enabled us to inform and inform about the evolution, origin and development of our subject in a spatiotemporal context. In addition, the analysis revealed a diversity of research approaches and methods totalling 17. We should also mention that artificial intelligence and technology were clearly the themes most frequently dominated in the 10 most relevant articles. The current state of the art shows that no systematic literature review on collective intelligence and collaborative innovation in territorial development has proposed an exhaustive list of the specific methods and approaches addressed in the course of this subject.

Solar Energy Integration in Urban Gujarat: A Pathway to IGBC Certification

The integration of solar energy in urban Gujarat is a key strategy for sustainable development and energy challenges in growing cities. This paper explores the potential of retrofitting non-certified green buildings with solar technologies to meet IGBC certification standards, focusing on the Surat Solar City initiative. Gujarat's abundant solar resources and progressive policies are enabling urban areas to transition to renewable energy solutions through rooftop solar PV systems, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and smart energy systems. Innovative technologies like transparent solar cells, solar paint, and hybrid systems are enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints. Government incentives and net metering policies are driving adoption. Solar retrofitting projects in Gujarat, particularly in Surat, serve as scalable models for integrating renewable energy into urban infrastructure. Key Words: Solar retrofitting, IGBC certification, Smart energy systems, BIPV, Energy storage

СТАЛИЙ РОЗВИТОК ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ОСВІТИ НА ОСНОВІ ДЕРЖАВНО-ПРИВАТНОГО ПАРТНЕРСТВА

The importance of sustainable development as one of the key concepts of modern society aimed at achieving a balance between economic, environmental and social aspects is described. It is determined that Ukraine is an active participant in international initiatives, such as Agenda 2030, integrating them into national policy. The need to develop professional education to ensure the training of specialists capable of meeting the current challenges of sustainable development is substantiated. It is revealed that the sustainable development of vocational education is based on a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills and is realized through cooperation between the state and business. The impact of public-private partnerships on reforming the vocational education system, in particular through the creation of new educational and training programs and infrastructure modernization, is considered. The participation of the private sector in financing vocational education is outlined, taking into account the current needs of the labor market. The author emphasizes the importance of integrating innovative technologies into the educational process, which contributes to the formation of the necessary competencies of future professionals, and adapting educational programs to new challenges facing the national economy and labor market.

Analysis of environmental utilization in sustainable development based on environmental law perspective

Abstract One of the biggest challenges in sustainable development is how to optimally utilize natural resources without damaging the ecosystem functions that support human life and other living things. Natural resources such as water, land, forests, minerals, and energy are important assets that must be preserved so that they can be utilised fairly and responsibly by current and future generations. For this reason, strategies and policies are needed that can integrate economic, social and environmental aspects of natural resource management. Environmental law studies are studies that examine legal aspects related to environmental protection and management. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which environmental law can provide a normative basis for the sustainable use of natural resources. This research is a normative juridical research using data analysis in the form of qualitative juridical analysis. The utilisation of natural resources must pay attention to the needs of environmentally sound development, namely development that does not damage ecosystem functions and environmental balance. Thus, environmental law review can provide recommendations that can be used as a reference for stakeholders in making decisions related to environmental issues.

MULTILEVEL STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

The article explores multilayer strategic planning challenges for sustainable development within the framework of continuous global economic transformation. The increasing focus on environmental deterioration, disparities in social status, and unstable economies presents obstacles for national governments as well as multinational enterprises seeking to adopt sustainable development strategies. Among the many challenges of globalization, this article explores key aspects of multi-level strategic planning at the global, national and local levels. The study aimed to examine diverse methods of multi-level strategic planning within the framework of globalization. Consequently, a multi-level strategic planning model was constructed that considers the impact of environmental, social, and economic factors in addition to the well-known ones to accomplish sustainable development objectives. The paper highlights the value of the systemic approach by demonstrating how efficient multi-level planning supports the financial stability of economic actors in the context of globalization. The paper also offers insightful suggestions for businesses, governments, and international organizations.