Sustainable Economic Progress Research Articles

Endogenous Growth Theory: The Influence of Health Budget Allocation and Financial Sector Growth on the Indonesian Economy

This study delves into the application of Endogenous Growth Theory to the Indonesian context, focusing on the interplay between health budget allocation and the growth of the financial sector in shaping the country's economy. Endogenous Growth Theory posits that economic growth can be internally driven by factors such as human capital accumulation, technological progress, and institutional development. Through empirical analysis, this research examines how the allocation of resources to the health sector and the expansion of the financial industry impact Indonesia's economic performance. By employing quantitative methods and econometric models, the study elucidates the extent to which these factors contribute to economic growth and development. The findings shed light on the importance of targeted budgetary allocations and financial sector policies in fostering sustained and inclusive economic progress in Indonesia

Decoupling government spending from carbon emissions: A spatio-temporal analysis of 283 Chinese cities

A comprehensive evaluation of government spending efficiency and its connection to emissions reduction is vital for sustainable green economic progress. However, the precise nature of the decoupling relationship between carbon emissions and government spending at the city level remains uncertain. Here, using the panel data from 283 cities covering the period from 2007 to 2020, we employ diverse methodologies, such as Kernel density estimation and spatiotemporal autocorrelation analysis, to examine the spatiotemporal distribution of decoupling and identify key contributors through LMDI decomposition analysis. We find that initially, most cities demonstrated weak decoupling, but after 2010, a subset of cities achieved strong decoupling. The spatiotemporal distribution analysis highlights an expansion of inter-city differences in decoupling values and a reduction in the number of cities forming clusters after 2015. Furthermore, an increasing number of cities experienced positive emission intensity effects, while the positive effects of government spending on labor input consistently decreased. Initially, the positive effect of government spending on economic development declined but later showed a slight increase. The distribution of cities with a positive impact of government spending scale shifted from dispersed to concentrated in northern regions, resulting in a decrease in the number of cities with a positive impact.

Innovation, researcher and creativity: A complex indicator for territorial evaluation capacity

Innovation, research, and creativity are crucial elements to guarantee countries' competitiveness and promote sustainable economic and social progress. The evolution of these elements influences and guides the strategic choices of policymakers to develop potential improvements. Measures of economic and social well-being are widely studied in the literature as essential tools for understanding and promoting more equitable, sustainable and inclusive social and economic progress; they provide a more complete and holistic view of people's well-being, enabling more informed policies and decisions that meet a country's needs.Investments in scientific research and innovation, the human capital available for knowledge economy processes and the diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies are fundamental elements of social well-being and economic development. The literature highlights the need for indicators that analyze the efficiency levels of innovation, research and creativity activities to guide policies that promote better resource use. In light of this, the study aims to formulate a composite index that summarizes the "Innovation, research and creativity" dimension of the Equitable and Sustainable Wellbeing (BES) Report. The analysis focuses on Italy and provides a detailed measure of the situation in research, creativity, and innovation, which are indirect determinants of well-being but fundamental to social and economic progress. The authors propose an index for classifying Italian Regions by utilizing indicators from the BES and the Agenda 2030 and employing hierarchical clustering analysis associated with an algorithm based on the P2 distance method.From a broader perspective, the work provides a robust tool that combines various measures into a single value. This offers a more comprehensive view of a complex situation and allows for the identification of general trends or changes over time. Furthermore, this enables a more targeted assessment of goal achievement than analysing isolated individual variables.The results show the goodness and robustness of the proposed index. Therefore, the proposed index is a valuable tool capable of providing a comprehensive view of the situation, identifying trends, regional or national patterns, and information essential for governments to formulate strategies.

Promoting entrepreneurship for sustainable development: Are education capital and ICT diffusion important?

AbstractThis article makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature on sustainable entrepreneurship by investigating the impact of entrepreneurship (both opportunity‐driven and necessity‐driven) on the achievement of sustainable development (SD) across its three dimensions. Additionally, it explores the underlying mechanisms through which this relationship is influenced. Specifically, the study examines the role of education capital (including education levels and government spending on education) and information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion (access, usage, and skills) in facilitating this relationship. The analysis focuses on data from Saudi Arabia and utilizes the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimator. The findings indicate that only opportunity entrepreneurship exhibits a positive influence on SD. Furthermore, the study reveals that the positive impact of opportunity entrepreneurship is amplified through its interaction with government spending on education and tertiary education, leading to favorable indirect net effects on SD at both aggregated and disaggregated levels. Similarly, the interaction between opportunity entrepreneurship and ICT usage, as well as access, generates positive indirect net effects on SD across aggregated and disaggregated levels. Therefore, education capital and ICT diffusion are indeed key mechanisms that foster opportunity‐driven entrepreneurship for achieving SD. Education equips individuals with the necessary skills and mindset, whereas ICTs provide access to information, markets, and tools for business efficiency and innovation. By investing in education and promoting the widespread adoption and accessibility of ICTs, governments can empower individuals to become successful entrepreneurs while driving sustainable economic, environmental, and social progress.

EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN ENERGY IN UKRAINE: THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS

In today’s realities, the impossibility of further sustainable economic progress without taking into account the most important problems of global sustainable development becomes especially obvious. Continuing to ignore environmental problems and the rapid depletion of natural resources in long-term development strategies, especially in such an important field as energy, threatens to undermine the evolutionary sustainability and security of future generations. Therefore, resource-saving and ecologically clean alternative energy should be considered as inevitable for the sustainable development of both the energy industry and the country’s economy as a whole. Optimizing the rational use of limited resources is the basis not only of strategic management of the country, regions and industries, but also of socio-economic development, the effectiveness of which is manifested only in conditions of sustainable growth.

Enhancing Internal Control Mechanisms in Local Government Organizations: A Crucial Step towards Mitigating Corruption and Ensuring Economic Development

Corruption poses a significant challenge to economic development and governance worldwide, with its detrimental effects permeating various levels of society. In the context of Greece, where corruption has been a longstanding issue, the role of internal audit mechanisms within local government organizations (LGOs) emerges as paramount. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the internal control landscape within LGO revenue departments, focusing on factors influencing its effectiveness and proposing strategies for improvement. Drawing upon survey data and regression analyses, this study highlights the crucial role of robust internal control mechanisms in combating corruption and fostering economic development. The findings underscore the importance of competent personnel, legislative compliance, interdepartmental collaboration, and technology utilization in enhancing internal control practices. Despite existing legislation, gaps in internal control implementation persist, including understaffing, inadequate procedures, and limited access to information. This study emphasizes the transformative potential of effective internal audit measures in mitigating corruption at the local level, thereby contributing to broader economic growth and societal well-being. Recommendations for strengthening the internal control structures within LGOs include the formal establishment of internal audit functions, adherence to professional standards, and the promotion of information system utilization. By addressing the corruption and inefficiencies within LGOs, this research underscores the pivotal role of institutional effectiveness in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable economic progress.

Agriculture land use transformation: A threat to sustainable food production systems, rural food security, and farmer well-being?

The acquisition of agricultural land is a crucial aspect of survival for numerous rural communities, serving as a fundamental tool for combating poverty and food insecurity and promoting equitable sustainable economic progress. The expropriation of land offers a promising prospect for remedying past inequities and promoting both economic progress and food sufficiency. Limited research has examined the association between land expropriation and food security, livelihood shocks, and the well-being of rural households worldwide. Therefore, this research explores the implications of land expropriation on food security, livelihood shocks, and well-being of land lost rural communities. The data were collected from 384 farmers selected through stratified sampling techniques using face-to-face surveys in rural China. The data were analyzed using descriptive and logit regression models. The descriptive findings showed that land expropriation has detrimental effects on the livelihood, food security, and well-being of the farmers. Furthermore, these impacts are more harmful among land-expropriated households with a lower educational level, a large family size, and women farmers in less developed rural communities. The econometric results evinced that gender, age, education level, marital status, family size, and negative changes in income all significantly affect the impact of land expropriation on the food security of farmers. Similarly, the findings revealed that farmers with lower education levels were more likely to be affected by land loss as compared to farmers with medium and high education levels. Farmers with complete land loss were 1.70 times more likely to suffer livelihood shocks than those with partial land loss. The results also evinced that the well-being of all farmers was not affected equally, and some farmers' well-being was affected more than others due to various socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, this study suggests the implementation of public policies that provide support to farmers who have been marginalized due to land acquisition.

Resource dynamics and economic expansion: Unveiling the asymmetric effects of natural resources and FDI on economic growth with a lens on energy efficiency

Sustainable development recognizes the crucial role of a sustainable environment as a foundational component. Addressing climate change is acknowledged as a global challenge that requires a collective approach to effectively combat this issue. While developed economies often experience a higher prevalence of this problem, it remains essential to develop a strategy that goes beyond national borders in managing natural resources and their influence on sustainable economic progress. Hence, this research inspects the linkage of natural resources, FDI, and economic growth in the USA from 1990 to 2022. The study also included energy efficiency as a control variable. Pertinent time series procedures such as DF-GLS and Phillips-Perron tests of unit root specification while Johansen cointegration test for equilibrium and Bootstrap quantile regression for primary estimates have been utilized in the research. The research also included robustness check analysis through FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR as parametric procedures, while simple quantile regression as a non-parametric robustness method. The outcomes reveal that data of the variables are static at differences in both methods and long-run equilibriums in the variables. The empirical outcomes suggest that natural resources are asymmetric with economic expansion in the USA. Natural gas rents positively impact economic expansion, leading to resource blessings, while mineral resources have a resource curse in the economy. Moreover, energy efficiency and FDI stimulate economic growth across all quantiles. The robustness check protocols follow the same trajectory and found that outcomes are robust, valid, and reliable in both linear and non-linear methods. It is recommended that NRR be expanded and channelized into the real sectors of the economy, along with the encouraging role of foreign inflows and investments in energy efficiency to attain sustainable development in the USA.

The impact of import expansion on energy efficiency: Perspective of cities' geographical characteristics

Energy is an indispensable propeller for economic growth. Improving energy efficiency not only mitigates energy scarcity, but also represents an imperative option for reducing ecological and environmental strain, addressing the challenges of contemporary global warming. With China's increasing participation in global value chains through imports, the question arises: can import trade contribute to advancing energy efficiency? This matter holds great significance in resolving present-day energy challenges and fostering sustainable economic progress. We employ super-SBM model to measure the energy efficiency of cities; based on the data collected from prefecture-level cities from 2000 to 2016, Our findings indicate that: (1) Import trade significantly enhances cities' energy efficiency. (2) Geographical and climatic conditions significantly impact the energy effect of import trade; the enhancement effect is more significant in eastern and northeastern regions, low-relief areas, low-temperature and low-humidity cities. (3) Import trade not only improves local energy efficiency, but also promotes energy efficiency improvement in neighbouring cities, this spatial spillover effect holds significantly under various spatial matrices. We must fully utilize the promotional impact of import trade to enhance the energy efficiency of cities, and maintain our commitment to executing an active import promotion strategy. Considering the impact of topography, climate, and other geographical factors, we must emphasize the role of geographical conditions in optimizing energy and environment. Furthermore, we should encourage inter-regional economic and trade exchanges and establish a joint governance mechanism for cross-regional collaboration.

美国新冠疫苗推广的实践及启示

The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic stands as one of the most significant health events of the 21st century, presenting substantial challenges worldwide and profoundly impacting socio-economic dynamics. The development and dissemination of vaccines have emerged as critical strategies for pandemic control. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, it also affected all 50 states within the United States.Utilizing the United States as a case study for COVID-19 vaccine distribution practices, this study undertakes a comprehensive review and analysis of the experiences and insights gained from promoting COVID-19 vaccines within the U.S. context. Expanding on this groundwork and considering the current state of international public health and specific concerns, the paper contends that effective promotion of COVID-19 vaccines requires reinforced international cooperation, exchange of experiences, and fostering collaborative research endeavors. Confronting global pandemic challenges collectively has become an increasingly urgent imperative, offering the potential to bolster a more resilient global public health framework and facilitate sustainable social and economic progress.

Pathways to well‐being in Tarumajaya, West Java: Post‐COVID 19 supporting better access to the commons through engagement and a critical systemic reflection on stories

AbstractThis paper explores the concept of community engagement, aligned with President Jokowi's mission to promote social enterprises, as a means to support the development of a re‐generative circular green economy in Tarumajaya, West Java. The primary focus is on enhancing farming, fishing, and forestry activities with villagers. The Covid‐19 pandemic presented significant challenges for the villagers, particularly in marketing their goods, resulting in financial hardships and an increased vulnerability to debt traps, particularly affecting women. Additionally, a major obstacle to achieving regenerative living is the limited access to land, with approximately 80% of the villagers either landless or owning small plots. Moreover, fishing restrictions imposed by the military to protect the Citarum River have further curtailed access to common grazing land for cattle. Preliminary analysis indicates that adopting intensive farming methods, such as rabbit breeding, mushroom cultivation, and fertiliser production, holds promise for reducing the community's carbon footprint. Overcoming these challenges and mapping pathways towards regenerative living are central objectives of this case study, providing insights and practical strategies to foster sustainable economic and environmental progress in Tarumajaya. Key components of the approach include finding markets for village products, extending access to common resources such as rivers, forests, and hillside terraces to villagers, and providing mentorship to women for supporting their small enterprises. The ongoing partnership with the village involves a community of practice consisting of universities and nongovernmental organisations, while private sector entities, including a gas company and tea and coffee plantations, are engaged in negotiations with the village head to secure additional land access. This study highlights the combination of challenges arising from the lack of access to common resources, limited market opportunities, and the influence of predatory financial institutions during the pandemic. By working closely with the villagers, the case study aims to identify opportunities and support the transition towards a green circular economy that moves away from business as usual and promotes regenerative living.

Exploring the spatial configuration of tourism resources through ecosystem services and ethnic minority villages

The rampant and unregulated development of natural landscapes has depleted vital environmental resources, degraded ecosystems, and diminished the allure of ecotourism. Identifying natural spaces suitable for tourism development using a holistic approach that evaluates surrounding ecosystem structure and function is therefore imperative to safeguarding ecological integrity and fostering sustainable economic progress. Leveraging the InVEST model and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), we assessed the spatial distribution of natural landscape resources and the density of ethnic minority villages to identify potential areas suitable for ecotourism development within the fragile Karst Region of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (QMDA), southeastern Guizhou Province, China. Results showed that habitat quality in QMDA was relatively high, with high-quality habitat (Class V) covering 19,554.76 km2, accounting for 65% of the total study area. Optimal natural landscape resources gravitated predominantly towards Liping and Rongjiang, collectively occupying 16% and 12% of the total optimal natural landscape resources, respectively. A total of 3439.95 km2 of potential natural resource development space was identified, with a discernible spatial distribution where the western region of the study area surpassed the eastern counterpart, and the southern region exceeded the northern expanse. The potential development space of tourism resources spanned a cumulative area of 1245.84 km2, located predominately in Kaili, and Danzhai, accounting for 26% and 16% of the total potential development space of tourism resources, respectively. To ensure sustainable use of ecological and cultural assets in QMDA, it is recommended that zoning and regulatory measures that encompass both ecological and touristic domains be enacted. Our findings contribute to a scientific foundation for the pursuits of ecological preservation and the administration of tourism planning for QMDA.

OLS-Based Research on the Impact of Green Finance on Green Development——Taking Beijing as an Example

The Green Credit Policy (GCP) and the Green Finance have brought tremendous influence to the promotion of industry. Green development is an approach to economic growth that considers both economic benefits and environmental protection, but because it requires significant investment to build a green industry, the recovery process is time-consuming and fraught with risk, so there is insufficient incentive for urban green development. Through specialized financing services for environmental protection firms and high-polluting companies, green finance may support the green transformation of high-polluting enterprises. This paper uses OLS estimation to evaluate the Green Development effect of GCP. Green development is significantly impacted by GCP. And Green Financial Level(gfl)’s index has a strong positive covariance with Green Development Level(gdl). Based on these results, we suggest that: The Chinese Government should promote GCP and make further efforts to perfect our industrial structure. Nations, including China, are actively promoting green finance to foster sustainable economic growth and protect the environment. China's efforts in developing green finance are crucial for realizing its ecological civilization. Green finance is a key aspect of promoting sustainable development. It is hoped that the Chinese government will offer stronger support in this field by establishing effective systems and regulations. Encouraging more financial institutions to participate in green finance will ultimately lead to sustainable economic and environmental progress.

Green growth in the global south: How does metallic minerals affect GTFP enhancement?

Metallic mineral mining plays a pivotal role in the economic development of countries located in the Global South, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its compatibility with environmentally sustainable progress. This study is grounded in an extensive analysis of panel datasets encompassing 134 nations in the Global South, spanning the years 2000–2019. We explore the impact of metallic mineral mining on GTFP by employing the system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) approach. In addition, this study further conducts robustness and heterogeneity tests, and analyze the mediating and moderating effects. The principal findings are as follows: (1) The practice of metallic mineral mining exercises a dampening effect on the augmentation of GTFP, posing a significant challenge to the pursuit of environmentally sustainable economic progress; (2) Metallic mineral mining has the most severe adverse impact on GTFP in Latin America region; (3) Metallic mineral mining indirectly reduces GTFP by affecting the reduction of human capital levels; (4) The development of renewable energy and technological innovation have become potential antidotes to offset the adverse effects of metallic mineral mining on GTFP. Our research results offer practical and effective references for promoting sustainable green development in the Global South.

Temporal and Spatial Changes and Trend Predictions of Forest Carbon Sequestration Efficiency in China Based on the Carbon Neutrality Goal

Forestry’s high-quality development is crucial for China’s sustainable ecological, economic, and social progress. To elevate the efficiency of carbon sequestration in forestry, continuously improve the increment of carbon sinks, and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality, it is crucial to accurately assess the level of carbon sequestration efficiency in China’s forestry and explore its long-term evolution trend. In this paper, a super-efficiency SBM model, which combines the SBM model with the super-efficiency method and considers the relaxation variables, was selected to evaluate the forestry carbon sequestration efficiency of 31 provinces in China; likewise, the temporal development features of the efficacy of Chinese forests in sequestering carbon were examined using the nuclear density estimation method. Secondly, the study constructed traditional and spatial Markov probability transfer matrices to further explore the spatiotemporal evolution of carbon sequestration efficiency within Chinese forestry. Finally, combined with the Markov chain infinite distribution matrix, the future trajectory of carbon sequestration efficiency in China’s forestry was scientifically forecasted. The findings indicate that: (1) The average carbon sequestration efficiency of forestry in China showed a stable increase with fluctuations and reached the optimal state in 2018. The carbon sequestration efficiency level of various forest regions was always portrayed as southwest forest region > southern forest region > northeast forest region > northern forest region. From 2003 to 2018, there were significant differences in forestry carbon sequestration efficiency among provinces. The distribution of forestry carbon sequestration efficiency exhibited a “three-pillar” distribution pattern with Xizang, Zhejiang, and Heilongjiang as the core, and the marginal regions continuously promoted the carbon sequestration efficiency to the inland. (2) The type of transfer of forestry carbon sequestration efficiency in China is stable, and it is difficult to achieve cross-stage transfer in the short term. Moreover, the forestry carbon sequestration efficiency of each province tended to converge to a high (low) level over time, showing a “bimodal distribution” of low efficiency and high efficiency, indicating the existence of the obvious “club convergence phenomenon”. (3) Forecasting from a long-term evolution trend perspective, the outlook for the future evolution of forestry carbon sequestration efficiency in China is optimistic, and the overall trend was concentrated in the high-value area. Therefore, future forestry development in China should contemplate both internal structure optimization and coordinated regional development. Attention should be placed on forestry carbon sequestration’s role while considering the distinctive endowments of each region and developing reasonable, differentiated, and collaborative forestry management strategies.

Private Investment and Economic Development: Ensuring Sustainability in the Future

Objectives: The objectives of this study are 1) to examine the role of private investment in economic development towards sustainability in Vietnam by utilizing provincial-level data from the period 2000–2020 and 2) to construct an economic development index based on four main pillars: economy, science and technology, energy models, and multidimensional poverty. Methods/Analysis: The study employed the CS-ARDL estimation method to investigate the short- and long-term relationships between private investment and economic development. Furthermore, to address issues related to slope heterogeneity, endogeneity, and cross-sectional dependence, the study applied the AMG and CCEMG models to assess this relationship in the long term. Findings: The study identified a positive long-term relationship between private investment and economic development. Additionally, investment in science and technology, agricultural land urbanization, vocational training for labor, trade openness, and private sector finance exhibited significant associations with private investment. Novelty/Improvement: The study successfully developed an economic development index and elucidated the relationship between private investment and economic development. The research underscores two critical strategies for attracting and promoting private sector investment: improving the workforce through training and expanding export markets. The effective implementation of these strategies can address subsequent challenges and expedite sustainable economic development progress. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-04-04 Full Text: PDF

State Regulation of Innovative Development of Human Capital

Purpose: The article aims to study the impact of public authorities on the innovative development of human capital and substantiate its importance for the further growth of the economy.
 
 Theoretical reference: The innovative development of human capital plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and quality of public services, leading to reduced societal inequalities and contributing to the country's sustainable development. In an era of rapid technological advancements, adapting to new realities and fostering a skilled workforce is vital for public authorities to meet the demands of a competitive labor market.
 
 Method: The methodological approach is based on the analysis of legal acts, scientific research and statistical data for the last five years. In addition, a comparative analysis of different countries is used to highlight positive practices and note aspects that need improvement.
 
 Results and Conclusion: During the analysis, it was found that the state can influence the development of human capital by promoting education, improving qualifications, and creating an encouraging environment for the development of creativity and leadership qualities. The article emphasizes the need for an active state support of innovative initiatives, as well as reforming the system of public authorities in order to ensure a more effective impact on the development of human capital.
 
 Search Implications: Тhe state has a significant potential to stimulate the innovative development of human capital, and it is important to develop and improve its role in this process in order to achieve sustainable economic progress.
 
 Originality/value: To realize the necessity of active state support, improve the legislative framework, and establish a sustainable innovation ecosystem in human resource management, which will contribute to further enhancing the country's competitiveness in the global market.

Unleashing the convergence between SDG 9 and SDG 8 towards pursuing SDGs: Evidence from two urban agglomerations in China during the 13th five-year plan

Cities play a pivotal role in China's sustainable economic progress, serving as focal points for various developmental elements. This study offers a novel perspective, delving into two crucial dimensions of urban advancement: industrial infrastructure and economic growth. This research assesses the sustainable development efficiency of 36 cities within the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRDUA) and the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration (PRDUA), using specific indicators aligned with SDG9 and SDG8. To conduct this evaluation, the study employs the Meta-Frontier Window Network DDF Data Envelopment Analysis considering both the stability and enhancements in urban sustainable development efficiency over a five-year policy span. The key findings are as follows: 1) Urbanization emerges as a driver of sustainable development efficiency. However, while Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Zhuhai have attained optimal levels, their internal efficiency stability remains a concern; 2) During the 13th Five-Year Plan, Nantong, Changzhou, and Wuxi showcased significant performance improvements. In contrast, Jiangmen experienced a notable decline of 64.72%; 3) Focusing on subsystems, the Resilient Industrial and Infrastructure Subsystem displays superior efficiency compared to the Sustainable Economic Growth Subsystem. Yet, it's essential to note that neither subsystem has achieved optimal efficiency across most regions; 4) Geographically, the urban sustainable efficiency of YRDUA appears evenly distributed, with ample room for improvement in most cities. In contrast, PRDUA demonstrates an efficiency increase from its periphery to its core. Through this comprehensive exploration, the study provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between urbanization, sustainable development efficiency, and regional disparities.

Pathways for Integrating the Concept of Carbon Neutrality into the Talent Cultivation Process: A Case Study of Animal Production Programs in Chinese Agricultural Colleges and Universities

The realization of carbon peak and carbon neutrality requires a comprehensive and profound transformation of economic and social systems. It is imperative not only for addressing climate change but also for the transformation and upgrading of various industries. This shift entails transitioning from high energy consumption and pollution to focusing on high-quality development, thereby facilitating the transition to a green and low-carbon economy and ultimately realizing sustainable economic and social progress. As modern agriculture evolves and agricultural modernization advances, there is substantial potential and demand for emission reduction in agricultural sectors and rural areas. Agricultural institutions of tertiary education undertake the crucial responsibility of cultivating talents capable of contributing to carbon neutrality efforts. Consequently, it is essential to integrate the concept of carbon neutrality into undergraduate education to meet the growing need for cultivating a workforce capable of achieving national carbon neutrality goals. In this study, a questionnaire is used to analyze the views and current situation of students majoring in animal production regarding the concept of carbon neutrality, and to explore how to conceptualize a knowledge system of carbon neutrality applicable to animal production programs in agricultural institutions.

Large scale study on influence of biopolymer to mitigate wind induced sand erosion with durability analysis

The desertification is a serious threat that affects the sustainable agriculture, ecosystem, and economic progress of society. There is an urgent need for an environment friendly, cost-effective, durable, and practical approach to mitigate wind induced erosion. The present study introduces a novel approach through large scale testing using biopolymer, including durability analysis. The research investigates the influence of biopolymer namely Acacia gum (AG) to mitigate wind induced sand erosion. For the experimental setup, rectangular trays (180 cm × 60 cm × 15 cm) containing 11 erosion pins (three rows along the length, in a staggered way at equal spacing) have been filled with desert sand. Solutions have been prepared using biopolymer concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) mixed with water. The prepared solution was sprayed onto specimens and the treated samples were then left for air drying (7 and 28 days curing period). The study has been performed on summer days with an average temperature of 40 °C. After biotreatment, the specimens were examined in a wind tunnel at variable wind speeds of 6, 10, and 15 m/s to measure sand loss rate (SLR) for different wind intervals (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min). Surface strengths were assessed using a pocket penetrometer. To check the durability of biotreated sand samples, 28 days curing period samples, with all biopolymer percentages have gone through 5 wetting and drying cycles (WDC). After the last WDC, samples were left again for 28 days and then experienced all tests. The minimum and maximum SLR for desert sand ranged from 17 kg/m² at 6 m/s and 1 min duration to 123 kg/m² at 15 m/s and 5 min duration respectively. Instead biotreated sand samples presented negligible SLR. Surface strength increased with increasing biopolymer concentration and a curing period. The maximum surface strength was 334.47 kPa recorded at 3% concentration during the curing period of 28 days. Further analysis involving SEM, EDX, and PXRD, confirmed sand particle bonding. For surface strength, 3% biopolymer concentration consistently produced positive outcomes, even after undergoing 5 WDC.