Challenges Of Sustainable Development Research Articles

Macroplastics Quantity and Its Influence on Soil Nutrients in Typical Plastic Film Mulching Farmland in Northern Xinjiang

Plastic film mulching (PFM) technology plays an important role in agricultural production in “drought and cold” regions, and macroplastics pollution in farmland has become a major concern affecting the sustainable development of regional agricultural production. However, there remains a lack of research on the effects of film application and macroplastics characteristics on soil nutrients in farmland. In this study, the characteristics of plastic film application and macroplastics, and their effect on soil nutrients in typical plastic film cropland in northern Xinjiang were explored by field research and a review of the relevant literature. It was found that the average annual growth rate was higher in areas where the amount, usage intensity, and proportion of plastic film were lower. The amount of plastic film input was a key factor affecting the amount of macroplastics. The macroplastics amount of plastic film was positively correlated with soil organic carbon content and negatively correlated with soil available phosphorus; however, it had no effect on soil available potassium. It is necessary to take immediate action regarding the characteristics of plastic film application and macroplastics and the impact of macroplastics on soil nutrients, in order to establish a response to the dual challenges of food security and sustainable agricultural development in terms of plastic film pollution prevention and control measures.

China’s ecological footprint via biomass import and consumption is increasing

As China’s economic and population demands grow, the need for biomass imports rises, presenting challenges for sustainable development and global ecosystem protection. Here we examine China’s increasing influence on global ecosystems through its biomass product consumption and trade using the Human Appropriation of Net Primary Productivity framework, analyzing data from 2004 to 2017 with projections until 2050. In 2017, China was the world’s largest biomass consumer, consuming approximately 1.75 petagrams of carbon per year, projected to rise by 317.6% by 2050, highlighting China’s major role in global ecosystem stress. Our findings also show an increase in biomass imports from lower-middle-income and low-income countries between 2004 and 2017, and these imports are expected to continue increasing by 402.9% in 2050. The analysis reveals that domestic product demand and changes in foreign production efficiency are key drivers of this trend, suggesting the need for China to shift towards more efficient trade practices and support cleaner production methods internationally.

Changes in water conservation and possible causes in the Yellow River Basin of China during the recent four decades

As water quality declines and water resources become scarce, water conservation emerges as the central challenge of water resource management and sustainable development in the watershed ecosystem. The Yellow River, known as the “mother river” of China, of which the water conservation function has received significant public attention in the changing environmental conditions. In the study, the InVEST water yield model was utilized to evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of water conservation; the MK trend test and Sen’s slope were used to examine the trends of precipitation and water conservation, respectively. Additionally, the response of water conservation to climate, land use, and soil changes during the period 1981–2020 was also discussed. The results showed that under the comprehensive influence of various factors, the water conservation of the YRB showed a decreasing and then increasing trend, which was presumed to be associated with the Grain for Green Project. Water conservation showed an increasing trend in the upstream area of the study area while decreasing in the lower reaches in recent decades. The changes in water conservation function in the YRB resulted from the comprehensive influence of climate factors, soil conditions, and land use types. Besides, woodland and grassland provide the highest water conservation capacity, which initially increased and then decreased with the increase of slope. The spatial analysis emphasized the critical role of water conservation in the Yellow River Basin, particularly highlighting the source area (above Lanzhou Station), the southern tributaries of the Wei River, and the upper reaches of the Yiluo River as significant water conservation zones. These areas should be considered crucial and given priority in regional water resource management and ecological protection efforts. The findings of this study could provide a theoretical foundation for ecological protection and water security in the YRB, which are essential for sustainable development.

Does the economic motivation of firms to address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promote the SDGs or merely SDG-washing? Critical empirical evidence from Japan and Vietnam

AbstractThe United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call on all firms to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges. There is then an argument that firms should address the SDGs by applying the creating shared value (CSV) framework. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that this is nothing more than “business as usual” implemented in the name of the SDGs, or so-called SDG-washing, thereby limiting firm contributions to the SDGs. Although the SDG Compass, the most referenced business guideline on SDGs, currently encourages firms to address the SDGs using their economic motivation, it is uncertain whether it provides the right direction for achieving them. The purpose of this study is to address whether the economic motivation of firms to achieve the SDGs is practically preferable in contrast to the ethical motivation. Using data on Japanese and Vietnamese firms, we empirically analyse whether the degree of a firm’s proactiveness to address the SDGs depends on its economic and/or ethical motivations from a stakeholder management perspective. Our estimation results clarify that an ethical motivation continues to play a more significant role for firms in addressing the SDGs. Put differently, while CSV appears an attractive framework for firms to address the SDGs, its actual contribution remains partial and tentative, and it has thus been criticized for overemphasizing any economic motivation that potentially promotes SDG-washing. It is important to note that this could also ultimately decrease economic value by harming the firm’s reputation.

THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION AND CREATIVITY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS

Sustainable development becomes a strategic goal of modern business organizations and an aspiration to ensure long-term economic growth through the creation of innovative products and services, saving resources and their sustainable use, nurturing the environment, and contributing to the creation of public welfare. It should be noted that communication and creativity constitutes a significant part of the innovation generation and implementation process. Promotion of idea generation, the interpretation of the need for innovation, the provision of opportunities for expressing new ideas, the development of relationships both within the team itself and with stakeholders are important in each phase of communication. The article presents the research, the purpose of which is to determine how creative communication solutions condition the involvement of the organization’s stakeholders, developing sustainability and creating sustainable innovations in Lithuanian business organizations. The applied research method is qualitative content analysis of the web pages of the largest Lithuanian business organizations, seeking to collect data on the essential organization of sustainable innovation development activities, challenges and features of stakeholder involvement. The data required for the research was collected by reviewing the publicly available information of 100 websites of Lithuanian business organizations in order to determine the essential communicated sustainability topics. Documents related to sustainable activities of organizations were also investigated (sustainability performance reports, corporate social responsibility reports, etc.). The results of the study show that Lithuanian business organizations consider the development of a sustainable activity strategy an important priority in the near term. However, although they understand the need for sustainable activities, developing sustainable innovations by involving stakeholders in these activities is difficult due to the lack of such practices and various organizational factors.

Albanian challenges for sustainable development: Nature-based tourism sector evidence from entrepreneurs' point of view

Sustainable development and the related challenges are the focus of the 2030 Agenda within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Albania is also a country that is part of these ambitious programmes and has continuously received funds from international organisations to achieve these objectives. Considerable progress has been made, and there is still much work to be done. An important sector that has experienced immediate and incredibly significant development in the economy of the country in recent years is tourism in general and natural tourism in particular. The flourishing of natural tourism has been noticed all over the country, and as a developing sector, we have tried to identify the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs and draw some conclusions and recommendations in this article. The study was performed in the Elbasan region from February to June 2023. Through direct interviews, it was noted that their challenges are related to the macroenvironment, the microenvironment, and the internal environment.

Factors affecting the production cost of green hydrogen and its challenge for sustainable development

Factors affecting the production cost of green hydrogen and its challenge for sustainable development

Does Competition in Online Games Foster Green Behaviour in Life? The Relationship Between Gamification Affordances and Engagement in Green Behaviours

In this study, to address global sustainable development challenges, we focused on the use of gamification systems, such as Ant Forest, to promote individual sustainable behaviours. Our research model combined gamification affordances with cognitive evaluation theory. We conducted partial least squares structural equation modelling to analyse 485 valid questionnaire responses and illuminate how gamification can shape users’ green behaviours. We also employed partial least squares multigroup analysis to explore the moderating effects of competition affordances on psychological needs and other gamification affordances. The findings revealed that competition affordances influence the effectiveness of other gamification affordances and significantly alter users’ psychological mechanisms, thereby fostering their intrinsic motivation for sustainable behaviour. This paper underscores the potential of gamification to encourage sustainable behaviours and emphasises the need for a careful balance of competition within gamification design.

Smart Cities and Smart Supply Chain: Integration for Sustainable Urban Development.

As urbanization accelerates globally, the concept of smart cities emerges as a promising solution to address the multifaceted challenges of sustainable urban development. Smart cities leverage advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life for their residents. Concurrently, the evolution of supply chain management towards smart supply chains has gained traction, driven by the imperative of optimizing logistics, minimizing waste, and enhancing resilience. This paper explores the integration of smart cities and smart supply chains as a holistic approach to foster sustainable urban development. The integration of smart cities and smart supply chains presents a symbiotic relationship wherein advancements in one domain catalyze improvements in the other. Smart cities rely on seamless and efficient supply chain operations to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services, essential for meeting the needs of urban inhabitants. [1],[2] Conversely, smart supply chains benefit from the data-rich environment and infrastructure of smart cities to optimize routing, inventory management, and last-mile delivery, thereby reducing environmental impact and enhancing overall efficiency. Key components of this integration include the utilization of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology to enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and transparent, secure transactions throughout the urban supply chain. By harnessing these technologies, cities can achieve significant improvements in resource utilization, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction. Furthermore, the paper examines the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and regulatory frameworks in facilitating the integration of smart cities and smart supply chains. Collaborative efforts between government entities, industry stakeholders, and technology providers are essential to overcome barriers such as data privacy concerns, interoperability challenges, and investment constraints. In conclusion, the integration of smart cities and smart supply chains represents a promising pathway towards achieving the goals of sustainability, resilience, and prosperity in urban environments. By embracing innovative technologies and fostering collaboration, cities can pave the way for a more efficient, equitable, and environmentally conscious future.

THE CLUB OF ROMAN AND MODERN NARRATIVES OF KAZAKHSTAN

Roza Muratova E-mail: rose1950@mail.ru Doctor of Economic Sciences, Chief Assistant Prof. PhD Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5382-0024   Mariana Petrova E-mail: m.petrova@ts.uni-vt.bg Doctor of Economic Sciences, professor, St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1531-4312   Dana Baigojaeva E-mail: 020950d@gmail.com ICHR, Novotel Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4607-8299   Abstract: The Club of Rome is an international non-governmental organization that unites world-famous scientists and public figures from different countries. The contribution of the Club of Rome is best known for its report “The Limits to Growth”, which was a turning point in addressing the challenges of sustainable development. In the article we examine the background to the creation of the Club of Rome and the contradictions that arise during the club’s activities. We also provide critical statements about the conspiracy theory of the activities of the Club of Rome. The article proves that conspiracy theories and the activities of the Club of Rome do not have a specific logical connection. In the article, we set the task of reforming the economy, the task of gradually moving away from measuring the level of economics with GDP indicators, as not meeting the tasks of assessing the level of social well-being of the country, since the formation of GDP is based on the world price environment of products and services. The main hypotheses of our research are an attempt to substantiate the transition to an objective measure of the state economy. Our article attempts to analyze a new approach to human economics as an element of the biosystem. The article poses the problems of transition to a regenerative economy and management, and notes therelevance of solving these problems for Kazakhstan, in particular the issues of regenerative agriculture and regenerative urbanism. We also analyzed ideas for implementing the principles of the “donut economy.” The work presents the directions of modern research of the Club of Rome and work, in continuation of “The Limits to Growth” 50 years later. We also noted that the activities of the Club of Rome do not lose their relevance and the solution of global issues of global development are of a local nature for Kazakhstan. The use of the research results is possible in the educational process and in scientific research of the world economy. Keywords: reports to the Club of Rome, global issues, planetary boundaries, regenerative governance and economics, social developmentJEL classification: F47

Woody Species Composition, Stand Structure and Regeneration Status of Londiani Forest in Kenya

Tropical forests provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna, in addition to playing a crucial role in climate regulation. They are being recognized for their roles as nature-based solutions to many sustainable development challenges, as shown by increased political commitment and global promises to reduce the rates of deforestation and boost the restoration of degraded forest ecosystems. Understanding tropical forest dynamics and their conservation status is therefore important. This study analysed the forest stand structure, the tree species composition and the regeneration status of Londiani Forest. In the three blocks of Londiani Forest, which are Kedowa, Chebewor and Londiani, belt transects that were 25 m wide and 1 km long were established. At every 200 m along the transects, 25 m × 25 m quadrats were set up in which an inventory of all the tree species was determined. Diameter tape was used to measure the diameter at breast height (DBH) 1.3 m above the ground. With the use of a Suunto angular clinometer, the tree height was measured. A nested 5 m × 5 m quadrat within the 25 m × 25 m quadrat was used to sample the saplings, while a 1m × 1 m quadrat was used to sample the seedlings. The quantities of seedlings and saplings were used to determine the state of regeneration. The data were entered into Microsoft Excel. The total stem density, species density, basal area, species basal area, relative density and species diversity were determined and extrapolated per hectare. A total of 1308 distinct trees from 34 different species and 24 families were counted. Kedowa recorded the highest (27) species richness, followed by Chebewor (19) and then Londiani (14). There was a statistically significant difference in the species richness among the three forest blocks (p < 0.05). Within the three forest blocks, there were no statistically significant variations in the basal area distribution (p > 0.005) or in the mean DBH (F = 0.560; p = 0.729) or height class distribution (F = 0.821; p = 0.558). There was a statistically significant difference in the stem density (F = 12.22; p = 0.005) and woody species diversity (F = 0.32; p = 0.001) within the three forests blocks. The similarity index ranged from 0.34–0.47. The presence of substantial numbers of seedlings and saplings in all forest blocks was an indication that there was regeneration.

Club convergence of per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Africa: A multi-sectoral analysis of trends and drivers

This study aims to fill a significant knowledge gap by examining the dynamics of sectoral per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions convergence across 54 African countries from 1980 to 2019. Using the log (t) club convergence approach, this study uncovers the presence of multiple local steady-state convergence patterns within each sector. A significant correlation emerges between the classification of countries regarding their total and energy sector emissions. In particular, less industrialized African countries with higher proportions of renewable energy consumption tend to demonstrate elevated convergence rates in both total and per capita energy emissions. Further, the analysis indicates that wealthier countries with greater trade intensity and increased industrialization are associated with a higher rate of convergence in the agriculture sector. By highlighting the heterogeneity in sectoral patterns and the evolving landscape of GHG emissions in Africa, this study provides valuable insight for the formulation of policies that concurrently address the challenges of sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Urban Green Space in Chengdu Urban Center under Rapid Urbanization: From the Policy-Oriented Perspective

Urban green space (UGS) is increasingly recognized as a nature-based solution to achieving urban sustainable development. Under rapid urbanization, greening policies are often the main driving factor behind the restoration or even growth of UGS. In this study, Chengdu, the pioneering “park city” in China, is chosen as a representative region. Based on land use/land cover (LULC) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data, indicators that can reflect both UGS quantity and quality are constructed and the spatio-temporal characteristics of UGS in original and expanding urban areas are also explored at different greening policy stages. The findings show that, from 2000 to 2022, the basic trend of UGS reduction during urbanization remained unchanged, despite the greening policies implemented in Chengdu. However, the original urban area has evolved into a new urban area. This has been achieved by integrating the expanded urban area with higher greening rates, resulting in the greening rate in 2022 (44.61%) being restored to the 2000 level (44.21%). The implementation of green policies in Chengdu is primarily reflected in improved UGS quality, especially in the stage of the ecological garden city construction (2008–2018). Specifically, the UGS quality in the original urban area has been improved by 25.25%. Overall, the UGS quality in Chengdu Urban Center has improved, changing from a medium level in 2000 to a medium-high level in 2022. The construction of a national demonstration zone of the park city provides an opportunity for the UGS quantity to increase and quality to improve in Chengdu in the future. However, effectively considering the development positioning of the Tianfu Granary to coordinate the relationship between UGS and high-quality farmland is a huge challenge for urban sustainable development in Chengdu.

The Significant Role of Entrepreneurial Bricolage Towards SME’s Innovation Performance in China

The evolvement of sustainability concepts has become a new global aim under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, for which business enterprises are expected to play a crucial part in adopting sustainable procedures. The United Nations has identified enterprises and entrepreneurial activity, along with innovation, as key components in addressing the challenges of sustainable development. Nonetheless, the influence of business entrepreneurship by small enterprises varies depending on the nature of effort, and in many instances, sustainable entrepreneurship is only a source of instability and resource deployment. The major purpose of this study paper is to speak on the aspects that effect on the development of innovation performance among SMEs and how the entrepreneurial bricolage able to facilitates this process specifically to cope with the pandemic, lost income and customers demanding. The unique influence of entrepreneurial bricolage on innovation performance has yet to be identified for China settings. This study has been established the conceptual framework which constructed five variable which are innovation performance, entrepreneurial bricolage as endogenous variable, while constraint in finance, constraint in human resource and constraint in technology as exogenous variable. This produced conceptual framework backed by the theory of diffusion of innovation and expected to gather the data via questionnaire from the SMEs entrepreneurs’ enterprises in China. This study allows to contribute to the existence body of knowledge and the understanding of the entrepreneurial bricolage and the factors impacting innovation performance among SMEs.

Minor mining, major influence: Economic implications and policy challenges of artisanal gold mining

This study presents an in-depth analysis of the economic policies and implications surrounding artisanal gold mining, reframing the discussion from geographical specifics to a broader policy and economic context. Utilizing advanced geospatial data from the Landsat image collection through “Google Earth Engine,” the research evaluates the economic impact and policy challenges posed by artisanal gold mining over a period from 2011 to 2021. The approach combines change detection methodologies with machine learning to quantify the economic repercussions of land cover changes due to mining. The analysis reveals significant economic transformations, with an average of 2700 ha of land affected annually, culminating in around 48,000 ha over the decade, highlighting a critical period from 2013 to 2020. Importantly, the study identifies policy gaps, especially in the management of protected areas where approximately 800 ha of mining occurred. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions to mitigate the adverse economic and environmental impacts of unregulated mining. The study contributes to a broader understanding of the economic ramifications of artisanal mining and serves as a call to action for policymakers to address the challenges of sustainable mining practices and economic development.

Training Future Managers to Address the Challenges of Sustainable Development: An Innovative, Interdisciplinary, and Multiregional Experience on Corporate Sustainability Education

This paper presents an innovative experience involving students and professors from diverse backgrounds and regions that was designed to integrate corporate sustainability (CS) knowledge into undergraduate programs. An action research approach was adopted, with the course running over one semester. The course involved 146 students with diverse academic backgrounds from universities across Brazil along with eight professors from Brazil, Chile, and South Africa. The proposed approach provides actionable insights into the integration of sustainability concepts in the higher educational setting, thereby contributing to the development of a more environmentally and socially conscious generation of professionals. The learning outcomes are discussed in the light of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Agenda, particularly SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and SDG 13 (climate action). In addition, it is important to highlight that the dissemination of the course’s key features can be useful for universities, professors, and researchers engaged in training future professionals capable of addressing real-world problems of innovation and sustainability. By employing an action research methodology and fostering collaboration among students and professors with diverse academic backgrounds and from different countries, including Brazil, Chile, and South Africa, this paper presents a multiregional and interdisciplinary perspective that sets it apart from conventional practices. The emphasis on providing actionable insights and its potential applicability for universities, professors, and researchers involved in training future professionals further underscore its distinctive contribution to education for sustainable development.

Does financial inclusion and information communication technology affect environmental degradation in oil-producing countries?

Advances in financial inclusions have contributed to economic growth and poverty alleviation, addressing environmental implications and implementing measures to mitigate climate change. Financial inclusions force advanced countries to progress their policies in a manner that does not hinder developing countries' current and future development. Consequently, this research examined the asymmetric effects of information and communication technology (ICT), financial inclusion, consumption of primary energy, employment to population ratio, and human development index on CO2 emissions in oil-producing countries (UAE, Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, USA, and Canada). The study utilizes annual panel data spanning from 1990 to 2021. In addition, this study investigates the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) trend on the entire sample, taking into account the effects of energy consumption and population to investigate the impact of financial inclusion on environmental degradation. The study used quantile regression, FMOLS, and FE-OLS techniques. Preliminary outcomes revealed that the data did not follow a normal distribution, emphasizing the need to use quantile regression (QR). This technique can effectively detect outliers, data non-normality, and structural changes. The outcomes from the quantile regression analysis indicate that ICT consistently reduces CO2 emissions in all quantiles (ranging from the 1st to the 9th quantile). In the same way, financial inclusion, and employment to population ratio constrains CO2 emissions across each quantile. On the other side, primary energy consumption and Human development index were found to increase CO2 emissions in each quantile (1st to 9th). The findings of this research have implications for both the academic and policy domains. By unraveling the intricate interplay between financial inclusion, ICT, and environmental degradation in oil-producing nations, the study contributes to a nuanced understanding of sustainable development challenges. Ultimately, the research aims to guide the formulation of targeted policies that leverage financial inclusion and technology to foster environmentally responsible economic growth in oil-dependent economies.

Comparative performance evaluation of ground-mounted and floating solar PV systems

The global shift towards sustainable energy sources, driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions and ensure energy sustainability, has shifted from traditional fuel-based energy generation to a surge in interest in Renewable Energy Technologies such as Solar Photovoltaic. Solar Photovoltaic energy has the potential to mitigate carbon emissions and achieve energy security that is in line with Sustainable Development Goals but challenges such as land requirements and system efficiency persist. This study compares the performance of ground-mounted and floating solar Photovoltaic systems at the Bui Generating Station in Ghana. The findings reveal that floating PV systems have several superiorities over ground-mounted systems, including lower temperatures, higher energy generation capabilities, and more efficient area cover use. However, floating PV systems are also prone to aluminium frame corrosion of the Photovoltaic modules and other metallic components within the mounting structures, which could be mitigated through design modifications. The superior performance of floating Photovoltaic systems suggests their viability as a strategic tool in achieving renewable energy targets. As floating Photovoltaic technology advances, it promises to create a greener and more resilient energy landscape.

Impact assessment of poverty alleviation on carbon inequality: evidence from households in China

Inequality and climate change are major challenges for sustainable development, but a dilemma between the objectives has been widely observed. Based on the panel data of China Household Finance Survey (CHFS), inequality in carbon emissions across income groups is witnessed, which provides basics for the study. From a quasi-natural experiment, an increase of 9.9% in household per capita carbon emissions (HCEs) of the impoverished group is found after the Targeted Poverty Alleviation policies (TPA) in China, providing evidence for the enhancement of poverty alleviation measures on equal right for household carbon emissions. Specifically, dual mechanism of transfer payments and employment assistance acting as direct and indirect strategies to enhance family wealth are examined as the pathways to carbon equality. Further, a decline in household carbon emission intensity in the impoverished group is also observed after the treatment, which implies the accelerating role of TPA in low-carbon lifestyle formulation for the impoverished families. The findings of this paper confirm the positive effect of TPA policies on carbon equality for households, and also refute the "equality-pollution dilemma", which provide insights for policy makers in formulating equitable decarbonization policies and allocating the carbon budget.

Who is on the campus dance floor of sustainability reporting? The Spanish case

IMPACT In order to address the challenges of sustainable development, it is crucial for most universities to enhance their sustainability reporting (SR) practices. SR may help universities to enhance their legitimacy. SR should be more than just elaborating and presenting a report; it should be linked to a long-term strategic orientation of the university towards sustainability. Further efforts are necessary to ensure that SR becomes deeply integrated into universities’ missions and long-term strategies. This article will be of particular interest to university managers and other stakeholders—particularly associations, networks, regulatory and oversight bodies in the sustainability field.