Sustainable Transformation Research Articles

An efficient tool for real-time global carbon neutrality with credibility of delicacy management: A Modelx + MRV + O system

Current carbon neutralization systems are time-consuming, which generally require at least one to two months. We propose a highly efficient real-time carbon neutralization mechanism, a Modelx+MRV + O system based on the Internet of Things and blockchain technology for all the carbon reduction scenarios. This mechanism includes an accounting model for a certain distributed carbon reduction scenario, and real-time M, RV, and O systems, enabling enterprises, products, or individuals to reliably reach carbon neutrality in real time. We demonstrated how to build a real-time model (Modelx) by proposing a carbon emission reduction methodology for the returnable packaging scenario and a photovoltaic power generation scenario combining IoT technology for a traditional methodology for polar electricity. We found that the proposed system can achieve real-time analysis based on the monitored turnover number and electricity generated and avoid falsified values. Because carbon neutrality is essential to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change globally, this system can accelerate the sustainable transformation by managing carbon neutrality globally.

Konsep Transformasi Struktural Pada Sektor Industri

This study discusses the structural transformation of the industrial sector in Indonesia, which has undergone significant changes in the past two decades. This transformation is characterized by a decline in employment in primary sectors such as agriculture, and an increase in secondary and tertiary sectors, such as manufacturing and trade. This study aims to analyze the impact of structural transformation in industry on employment, the influence of structural transformation in industry, and the role of government in industrial transformation. The research method involves secondary data analysis from various sources and case studies. The results show that government intervention, improvement of labor skills, collaboration between sectors, and strict environmental protection are the keys to successful sustainable industrial transformation. The implications of this research lead to more integrated and sustainable policy recommendations to support optimal structural transformation.

The 15-minute city concept: The case study within a neighbourhood of Thessaloniki.

Cities, crucial cultural hubs, mould individual and group identities. The global urban expansion, with over half the population in urban areas, presents interconnected challenges such as pollution, poverty, inequality, ageing infrastructure, resource overconsumption, land use changes, biodiversity impact and climate change. Addressing these demands ambitious actions targeting political, social and economic systems for transformative change. The theoretical framework guiding city transformation centres on an interdisciplinary approach influenced by the Smart and Green Transition. The '15-minute city' concept, emphasizing human scale and urban experience, proposes that cities enable residents to meet daily needs within a short walk or bike ride. The aim of this study was the exploration of its implementation in Greek cities, particularly Thessaloniki, which reveals inherent characteristics supporting the 15-minute concept. Through an interdisciplinary approach rooted in the Smart and Green Transition framework, the research provides concrete guidance for policymakers in tailoring urban planning strategies, allocating resources effectively and crafting policies conducive to successful and sustainable urban transformations. Moreover, prioritizing public engagement highlights the significance of community involvement in shaping urban development plans, ensuring that proposed initiatives align with residents' needs and desires. In essence, this research contributes tangible insights and actionable recommendations for Greek cities, paving the way for more liveable, resilient and sustainable urban environments.

EXPLORING THE INTEGRATION OF ADAPTIVE REUSE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: A CASE STUDY OF CALEB UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING

Adaptive reuse in interior design entails repurposing existing structures or spaces to serve new functions while preserving their architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The research explores the integration of adaptive reuse principles in interior design at Caleb University to address the recognized need for comprehensive understanding and guidance in effectively implementing adaptive reuse within educational institutions. The qualitative study employed interviews and on-site observations to explore adaptive reuse in interior design within Caleb University's administrative building, aiming to gain insights from stakeholders and document physical spaces, behaviours, and interactions, analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings of the qualitative study on adaptive reuse in Caleb University's administrative building reveal strategies focused on preserving historical context, integrating modern functionality, optimizing space utilization, enhancing user experience, and prioritizing cost-effectiveness within interior design, showcasing a comprehensive approach to sustainable adaptation and transformation. In conclusion, Caleb University's adaptive reuse integration in its administrative building exemplifies a holistic sustainability approach, balancing heritage preservation with modern functionality and financial prudence, offering a model for resilient built environments in educational settings and beyond. Keywords: Adaptive Reuse, Caleb University, Interior Design, Interior Space, Repurpose

Disentangling gender and social difference for just and transformative biocultural approaches

Abstract Advancing research and practice that recognize diverse worldviews, knowledge systems, and value orientations is essential to enable transformative change towards sustainability. Biocultural approaches recognize the diverse ways in which people relate to nature, offering a potential pathway for sustainability transformations. However, recent scholarship on biocultural approaches to sustainability has highlighted that social aspects such as equity and justice have not been substantively addressed, whereby gender issues have been overlooked to a great extent. Through qualitative content analysis, this review synthesizes the conceptualizations of gender and social difference within the literature on biocultural approaches to sustainability published in English and Spanish. The biocultural literature predominantly focuses on describing knowledge and management practices, neglecting power and gender relations that affect access and control over resources, and how different axes of social difference matter across different social‐ecological contexts. Overall, we found that gender considerations within the literature reviewed do not build upon feminist and gender theories. Based on these findings, we provide insights into how more nuanced engagements, especially in relation to feminist theories and tools as intersectionality and decolonial perspectives, can allow for more just scholarly efforts to address biocultural relations. Finally, we draw attention to responsible and engaged praxis towards promoting biocultural approaches that include the diverse perspectives of those who can contribute to transformative change, and which prevent the reinforcement of gender‐based power relations. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Carbon dots synthesized from Hibiscus Tiliaceus L. leaves via microwave-assisted methods as a photocatalyst for sustainable organic transformation

Carbon dots synthesized from Hibiscus Tiliaceus L. leaves via microwave-assisted methods as a photocatalyst for sustainable organic transformation

The beautiful risk of participatory education: An empirical example of teaching strong sustainability

The grand challenges of our times are seriously interlinked: ecological crises cannot be tackled separately from social problems. In the strong sustainability approach, a good life for all must be achieved within ecological boundaries. To respect the planetary boundaries, it is required to provide critiques for the current economic, social and political order and suggest concrete actions that may lead to strong sustainability transformation. Business schools must address these challenges and provide solutions through educational content and innovative teaching methods. In this article, we argue that participatory education is the appropriate tool to teach strong sustainability in business schools. Building on Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy and Gert Biesta’s participatory education theories, we developed a theoretical framework to understand how these theories can strengthen strong sustainability education. Using the analytical framework, we explore the risks of participatory education in our Degrowth course and bring empirical examples of its impacts on students by analysing the reflection articles of 37 students. According to our findings, this particular type of education creates both positive emotions, like enjoyment and enthusiasm, and negative ones, like anxiety and helplessness.

Digital and Sustainable Transition in Textile Industry through Internet of Things Technologies: A Pakistani Case Study

The textile industry, a vital contributor to Pakistan’s economy, faces pressing challenges in transitioning towards sustainability amid global environmental concerns. This manuscript presents a comprehensive case study on the implementation of IoT-driven strategies in the Pakistani textile sector to achieve digital and sustainable transformation. The findings reveal that the implementation of IoT technologies facilitated real-time environmental monitoring, enabling compliance with regulatory standards, and fostering sustainable manufacturing practices. Ultimately, this manuscript offers valuable insights into the transformative potential of IoT technologies in driving sustainable practices in the textile industry. The case study serves as a benchmark for other textile-producing regions aiming to embark on a digital and sustainable journey. These findings hold significant implications for the ongoing dialogue on sustainable industrial development, providing valuable direction for policymakers and stakeholders in shaping a more resilient and ecologically conscious future. Future research should prioritize addressing issues like data confidentiality and interoperability while adhering to standard requirements. Additionally, exploring analytics and machine learning methods for predictive maintenance, optimized performance, and operational improvement is crucial.

Continuous dynamic recrystallization behaviors in a single-phase deformed Ti-55511 alloy by cellular automata model

In this study, the continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) behaviors of a hot-deformed Ti-55511 alloy are investigated in β single-phase domain. CDRX is found to play a dominant role in the microstructure evolution during thermomechanical forming of the Ti-55511 alloy. In order to quantitatively and visually simulate the hot forming process, a probabilistic cellular automata (CA) method is established. This CA technology integrates the dislocation evolution model, subgrain nucleation rate model, misorientation evolution model, grain boundary (GB) migration model, and topology deformation model. The results of a systematic study of both microstructural evolution and macroscopic mechanical response at various strains, strain rates, and temperatures are presented. The average absolute relative error (AARE), correlation coefficient (R), and root-mean squared error (RMSE) values between the experimental and simulated stresses are 4.63 %, 0.9963, and 3.81 MPa, respectively. The deviation values of subgrain size range from 1.27 % to 17.25 %, when the temperatures varies from 920 to 980 °C. The predicted results well agree with the measured results, demonstrating the transition from a coarse and static recrystallized structure to a refined and continuous dynamic recrystallized structure. A low Zener-Hollomon (Z) parameter can effectively enhance the progress of CDRX. Higher temperatures and lower strain rates result in a larger volume fraction of CDRX. Quantitative analyses confirm that the incubation period for CDRX is significantly longer than that for subgrain formation, indicating a sustained transformation from the low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) to the high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) through the absorption of dislocations.

The physical environment matters: room effects on online purchase decisions.

People as individual consumers are regularly targeted in sustainability campaigns or communications with the hope of enhancing sustainable behavior at an individual level, with subsequent sustainability transformation at a larger societal scale. However, psychological motivation is complex and campaigns need to be based on an understanding for what individual, and contextual, factors support or hinder sustainable behavioral choices. In a discrete choice experiment, participants made hypothetical online purchases in each of three rooms designed to evoke associations to hedonic, gain, and normative goal frames. Participants were shown a campaign message intended to prime sustainable textile consumption prior to the purchase. For each product (t-shirt or bananas) hedonic (comfort/look), gain (price), and normative (organic/ fairtrade) attributes were varied in an online choice experiment. Preferences for the normative attribute of t-shirts increased in the normative room compared to the room with gain associations. No effect of the rooms with hedonic or gain priming was observed on the choice. The study supports the hypothesis that the physical room can enhance goal frame activation and behavioral choice but concludes that such priming effect is sensitive to specificity of the prime.

Whose visions and goals for sustainability? Planning, participation and depoliticisation in new urban neighbourhoods in Sweden

Visions and goals for sustainability in new neighbourhoods aim to engage developers and citizens in the planning process. Against the backdrop of the market-oriented Swedish planning system, this article aims to deepen the understanding of how planners balance different interests in the formulation of visions and goals in new sustainability-profiled neighbourhoods, and the implications for sustainability. The concepts of politicisation and depoliticisation are used to understand how different interests are mobilised through the visions and goals in two new sustainability-profiled neighbourhoods in Sweden. Interviews with planners illustrate that the participation in the visionary planning largely targeted the developers. The article displays a form of depoliticised market-orientated sustainability planning. This is reflected already in the early formulation of visions and goals, as the planners facilitate the participation of developers at the expense of citizen participation. The article concludes with reflections on the role of the planner in planning for sustainable urban transformations.

Promoting sustainable smallholder farming systems in China

CONTEXTHundreds of millions of smallholder farmers account for 84% of farming households globally. Owing to the limited access to knowledge and resources, smallholder farming systems under sub-optimal management are facing multiple challenges such as adverse environmental impacts and difficulties in meeting growing food demand. Although substantial advanced techniques and practices have been developed, applying these practices on the ground at a large scale remains a great challenge. OBJECTIVESThis study aims to assess the sustainability of typical soil-crop management practices in order to recommend best practice bundles. The study also deploys a farmer survey in order to identify barriers hindering the adoption of sustainable practices and propose ways to overcome these barriers. METHODSTo achieve these aims, we develop a generalizable framework combining technical innovations and social realization pathway for sustainable transformation of smallholder farming systems. We apply this framework in the North China Plain as a case study, propose target-oriented practice bundles and subsequent realization roadmaps from smallholder farmer's perspectives and interests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur results show that nitrogen reduction has the greatest positive effect on the overall sustainability of smallholder farming systems (12–14%), followed by formula fertilizer (6–10%) and optimal crop practices (2–4%). Thus, our recommended practice bundles include reducing fertilizer inputs and optimal sowing date and rate. However, our farmer survey shows that the implementation of these recommended practices faces barriers associated with economic costs, labor requirements, and farmer's preferences and acceptance. We suggest ways to overcome these barriers, including multi-stakeholder platforms better connecting smallholders, scientists, government, and industry. SIGNIFICANCEOur framework can be amended to fit different contexts and targets, therefore it can be adopted and tweaked by other regions worldwide dominated by smallholder agriculture to promote sustainable transformation.

Emotional Resonance in Transnational Digital Climate Activism: Exploring the Perspectives of University Students in Darmstadt

In the face of the profound consequences of climate change, there is an increasing need to explore how emotions transcend borders in the digital realm. It is important to empahasize the central role emotions play in cultivating international solidarity. This study delves into the emotional landscape of transnational digital climate activism, focusing on the perspectives of university students in Darmstadt, Germany. Through a comprehensive survey involving 192 participants, the research seeks to understand the potential of emotional resonance in mobilizing collective action and fostering a profound sense of global interconnectedness. By capturing the thoughts and feelings of students, the study aims to enrich our understanding of the impact of emotional resonance in this context, offering valuable insights and practical recommendations for effectively harnessing its power in driving sustainable environmental transformation.

Blockchain for sustainable city transformation: A review on Bangladesh

AbstractBlockchain (BCn) revolution across the world leads the global transformation by altering the existing structure and introducing the accessible and decentralized paradigm. This technology facilitates access to resources and redefines conventional frameworks, empowering people and communities globally. Motivated by these attention‐seeking potentiality of BCn features, in this article, we examine the challenges, advancements, and emerging prospects of the BCn revolution in Bangladesh. With a specific focus on BCn implications for sustainability and smart development, this study addresses the urgent need to understand how BCn can facilitate sustainable development in rapidly evolving countries like Bangladesh. The goal of this research is to draw attention to the successful revolution of BCn in the world and use this knowledge to extract best practices and cutting‐edge strategies for sustainable transformation of Bangladesh. The contribution of this study covers the underlying concepts of the BCn technology, showing the revolutionary state of BCn across the world, applications of BCn for sustainability, assessment of its current usage, and highlighting the BCn implementation problems. Furthermore, this study serves as a gateway to a transparent, decentralized future that fosters inclusive national progress and aligns with sustainable development goals. This study also strives to inspire individuals to use this transformational technology for the collective benefit of society by highlighting BCn's potential to empower communities while driving positive change.

Framework to supporting monitoring the circular economy in the context of industry 5.0: A proposal considering circularity indicators, digital transformation, and sustainability

Digital transformation can contribute to the increasing circular economy in organizations, facilitating their adherence to the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability and, therefore, to the Industry 5.0 paradigm. In this context, this work proposes a framework for holistically addressing these themes with tools (circularity indicators and technological resources) to assist organizations in the manufacturing sector that aim to adopt circular processes with a focus on the pillars of sustainability. To elaborate the framework, the SODA (Strategic Options Development and Analysis) method was applied to explore, with the help of the interviewed specialist, the complexities of the problem studied, enabling the identification of 7 important issues or dimensions on the path to circularity. To shape the framework, 7 experts were interviewed (one for each dimension) to validate and classify the circularity indicators (prospected in the literature and added by them), correlating them to the spheres of sustainability and digital transformation technologies. The results of the framework analysis showed that achieving circularity demands the consideration of the following factors: the circularity of energy aiming at its efficiency, circularity of inputs for better use of resources, investments in circularity for process optimization, establishment of new circular businesses taking advantage of the good experiences obtained, circular and non-circular supply chain integration, compliance and governance for circularity meeting the expectations of stakeholders and the relevance of feasibility studies to technical, economic and environmental to implement circularity of product components.

Collaborative governance and personal relationships for sustainability transformation in the textile sector

This paper explores the potential for collaborative governance in the textile sector to act as a catalyst for sustainability transformation. The article originated from a 4-year research project examining a multi-stakeholder initiative (MSI), the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. It sheds light on the complex but interdependent connections between collaborative governance and personal relationships. While emphasising the role played by MSIs in creating important space for negotiating interests, it points towards the co-benefits of building relationships beyond stakeholder boundaries. Obstacles such as governance structures and the fragmentation of the governance landscape hinder opportunities for personal, political, and practical transformation. While highlighting the importance of private governance, it also stresses the role of state regulation in global economies, e.g. in the current debate on the EU Due Diligence Act. Finally, suggestions are made for designing governance spaces that support the development of social relationships while promoting transformation by ensuring the equal participation of stakeholders, employing learning and facilitation experts, and promoting joint decision-making processes.

Mathematics Equity through Teaching Actively: Centering Equity in Our Active Learning Pursuits

In this paper, we describe a movement through professional development at California State University, Fullerton, to promote equity-minded active learning within mathematics courses. The META: Mathematics Equity through Teaching Actively project supports faculty by providing a range of professional development opportunities where we take an explicit, rather than implicit, stance on attending to equity-minded instruction while shifting to active learning. Through professional development guided by the student-developed, literature-informed Teaching Equity-minded Active Mathematics Tool (TEAM Tool), we cultivate a supportive learning environment by warmly inviting faculty to participate in our activities, securing time and space for faculty to learn together in a collaborative environment, and frequently communicating with faculty on how best to meet their needs. We believe that sustainable department-level transformation will happen gradually, as increasing numbers of faculty adopt equity-minded active learning within their teaching and continuously reflect on their teaching as a whole.

Mapping varieties of farmers’ experience in the digital transformation: a new perspective on transformative dynamics

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the global food system, underscoring the need for a sustainable transformation of the food system. With the advent of new digital technologies emerging as critical tools for achieving the agricultural shift, it is important to understand farmers’ adoption decisions better. This study aims to systematically uncover and delineate the varied forms of experiences farmers have with new digital technologies and investigate how these experiences impact the organizational adoption decisions on the farm. In this study, twenty interviews with apple growers, wine makers, and intermediaries from a German region encompassing Saxony, Thuringia, and Saxony–Anhalt were conducted and analyzed. Through the lens of the modified adaptive capacity wheel and alongside the interview data, five relevant types of experiences were identified. These types of experiences are closely related to farmers’ adaptation motivation (AM) and adaptation belief (AB), potentially influencing their future decisions about the adoption of digital technologies. This study highlights the importance of creating meaningful experiences with technologies to strengthen farmers’ AM and AB.

Design Options for Sustainable and Open Business Models: A Taxonomy-Based Analysis

The imperative for decarbonization forces businesses to transform their business models (BMs) and to adopt Sustainable Business Models which focus on creating value sustainably. In the context of Sustainable Business Model Innovation, maintaining close relationships within ecosystems is crucial to ensure a sustainable transformation while preserving competitiveness. As corporate boundaries become more transparent, the importance of external resources increases, leading to a shift from closed to open business models (OBM). In OBMs, stakeholders, including customers, actively co-create innovation and value creation. Our research investigates how integrating these approaches can shape BMs that effectively address decarbonization drivers and tackle the required business model innovation. We conducted a structured literature review to develop a taxonomy that outlines 64 design options across nine dimensions for sustainable, open BMs. In conclusion, this study provides sustainable and open design options, classified into detailed taxonomies. The practical applicability of this taxonomy was demonstrated through a use case classification, providing a foundation for companies and further research into designing and implementing these BMs in the context of decarbonization.

Making and Using Futures: Using Anticipation to Reframe Justice and Responsibility to Govern Societal Transformations

This paper explores the concept of anticipation in the context of governing societal transformations toward sustainability in the Anthropocene. It distinguishes two interrelated processes of anticipation for the governance of just sustainable transformations: using futures and making futures, arguing that these processes of anticipation can help reframe notions of justice and responsibility. With this reframing, it is proposed that justice and responsibility should be shared and distributed among different actors, based on certain principles that take into account the complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity of the future in the context of the Anthropocene.