Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411169

Authors: Nastia Degiuli Ivana Martić Carlo Giorgio Grlj

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is essential across all sectors, including the maritime transport industry. Speed reduction is a key short-term operational measure for lowering GHG emissions from ships, and its implementation has already begun. While speed reduction offers significant benefits, particularly in terms of GHG emissions reduction potential, there are concerns about its application, including increased voyage times, an increase in the number of ships required, and the fact that ships may operate in conditions quite different from those for which they were designed and optimized. This study investigates the impact of speed reduction on ship performance in calm water, using a post-Panamax container ship as an example. Numerical simulations of resistance, open-water, and self-propulsion tests were conducted for a full-scale ship and propeller, and the results were validated against extrapolated towing tank data. Hydrodynamic characteristics, fuel consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions at various speeds were then estimated. The results indicated that when constant transport work was maintained, yearly CO2 emissions decreased by −16.89% with a 10% speed reduction, −21.97% with a 20% speed reduction, and −25.74% with a 30% speed reduction. This study demonstrates that the classical cubic law for fuel oil consumption and speed dependence is not valid, as the speed exponent is lower than 3. The potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing slow steaming are discussed. Finally, this research contributes to the existing literature by evaluating the CO2 emissions reduction potential of slow steaming.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411168

Authors: Xing Liu Guiyuan Xiao Dunhan Yang Lin Dai Aiwei Tang

This study developed a sustainable low-carbon cementitious material using calcium carbide residue (CCR) as an alkali activator, combined with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash (FA) to form a composite. The objective was to optimize the CCR dosage and the GGBS-to-FA ratio to enhance the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the composite, providing a viable alternative to traditional Portland cement while promoting solid waste recycling. Experiments were conducted with a water-to-binder ratio of 0.55, using six GGBS-to-FA ratios (0:10, 2:8, 4:6, 6:4, 8:2, and 10:0) and CCR contents ranging from 2% to 12%. Results indicated optimal performance at a GGBS-to-FA ratio of 8:2 and an 8% CCR dosage, achieving a peak UCS of 18.04 MPa at 28 days, with 79.88% of this strength reached within just 3 days. pH testing showed that with 8% CCR, pH gradually decreased over the curing period but increased with higher GGBS content, indicating enhanced reactivity. Microstructural analyses (XRD and SEM-EDS) confirmed the formation of hydration products like C-(A)-S-H, significantly improving density and strength. This study shows CCR’s potential as an effective and environmentally friendly activator, advancing low-carbon building materials and resource recycling in construction.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411167

Authors: Agnieszka Nowaczek Zygmunt Kowalski Joanna Kulczycka Agnieszka Makara

This work discusses the drivers and barriers (legal, chemical, biological, technical) related to implementing a circular economy model in the tire sector in Poland. The aim of this work was to identify and prioritize key factors determining the implementation of the circular economy business model, both among tire manufacturers and recyclers. The analysis of aspects facilitating the implementation of circular economy and the assessment of this type of project in organizations was the basis for identifying the most important factors in the development of eco-innovation in the tire industry. The research process used bibliometric analysis, empirical research based on a questionnaire and in-depth interviews of tire industry employees, and opinions of experts participating in a group interview. Research has indicated that the key to success in implementing the circular economy is to change actual business practices. The basic drivers of circular economy implementation in the tire sector are legal requirements and an organization’s profit associated with the use of circular economy actions. High environmental requirements and regulations that support a circular economy are key factors stimulating eco-innovative methods, but in most cases, these are more of a concern for recyclers than tire manufacturers. This study identified and hierarchized the determinants for implementing a circular economy model and indicated key factors influencing the development of eco-innovations among recyclers and tire manufacturers in Poland.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411166

Authors: Kuntai Tu Zongrun Li Qi Ban Xiaoyun Fan

This study employs a dataset comprising Chinese A-share listed companies from 2012 to 2021, with the objective of empirically examining the relationship between corporate ESG ratings, external media sentiment, and corporate innovation performance. The findings indicate that a favourable ESG rating can significantly enhance a company’s innovation performance, with external media sentiment exerting a supportive influence. Further analysis indicates that the optimistic media sentiment generated by a favourable ESG rating serves to reduce the financing threshold for companies, alleviate external financing constraints, and ultimately promote innovation performance. Heterogeneity analysis shows that in companies with higher financing constraints and lower levels of marketization in their location, the improvement of ESG ratings has a better effect on enhancing innovation performance. By examining the influence of external media sentiment on the relationship between ESG ratings and a company’s innovation performance, this study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms through which media affects a company’s quality development. These findings have implications for the stimulation of a company’s innovation vitality and the guidance of their accelerated transformation.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411165

Authors: Yang Yang Hao Gao Feng Gao Yawei Du Parastoo Maleki

With the increasing and intensifying effects of global climate change and the rapid development of higher education, energy and resource consumption at university campuses has been rising drastically. This shift has been worsened by campuses’ expanded role in addressing extreme weather hazards and taking on additional cultural and community functions. This article carries out a comprehensive literature review of the low-carbon measures and resilient behaviors implemented on university campuses based on publications published in two major databases, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WOS). Results show that: (1) most existing studies only focus on campus carbon emission reduction from a single perspective, without considering the correlation between carbon emissions in different dimensions on campuses and without analyzing the causes of excessive campus carbon emissions from the perspective of the built environment; (2) current studies have not constructed an assessment system for campus carbon resilience and lack the tools and methods for assessment. After summarizing and analyzing, this study proposes the concept of campus “carbon resilience”, which refers to the ability of campuses to cope with the risks of disasters and uncertainties caused by excessive carbon emissions. The research framework of this study is divided into three parts: connotative characteristics, influencing factors, and optimization strategy. Following this framework, the concept and critical features of campus carbon resilience “carbon minus resilience”, “carbon saving resilience”, “carbon reduction resilience”, and “carbon sequestration resilience” are analyzed and outlined. Next, an integrated impact factor system for campus carbon resilience is proposed. This system incorporates aspects such as land utilization, building operation, landscape creation, and energy regeneration from the perspective of the built environment. Finally, with the core objective of effectively reducing the dynamic range of carbon emissions when dealing with critical disturbances and improving the adaptability and resilience of campuses to cope with excessive carbon emissions, this study proposes an optimization strategy of “setting development goals–establishing an evaluation system–proposing improvement strategies–dynamic feedback and adjustment” to provide ideas and theoretical guidance for responding to university campus carbon risk and planning carbon resilience.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411164

Authors: Islam Elmasoudi Emad Elbeltagi Wael Alattyih Hossam Wefki

An assessment of construction activities related to pollution needs to be conducted during the planning of a given project. Such an assessment is essential to ensure that the resulting pollution does not surpass the environmental threshold limits. This research provides an optimized pollution-based scheduling model in construction projects by applying Genetic Algorithms (GAs). The suggested approach figures out the pollution produced by gasses, noise, and dust for each activity in the project. Then, the whole project’s duration is minimized by optimizing the project schedule using GAs while keeping the different pollutants under threshold limits. In the developed model, each pollutant is handled as a dummy resource and is incorporated into the schedule of construction projects. When the emitted pollutants surpass the allowable limits, as per the given regulations, GAs re-schedule the project tasks so that the pollution levels are reduced and redistributed. The proposed framework is presented as being practically applicable through an actual case study. The results show that the proposed GA model improves the pollution leveling process more efficiently than the standard resource leveling technique in Microsoft Project, producing fewer pollution histogram moments of the X and Y axes with 9.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the best solutions for this case study are obtained when population size, offspring generation, crossover rate, and mutation rate equal 100, 50, 0.95, and 0.05, respectively. The model can aid in reducing construction projects’ environmental impact during the project planning and construction stages, which benefits decision-makers and project planners.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411154

Authors: Lelethu Mdoda Denver Naidoo Zoleka Ncoyini-Manciya Yanga Nontu Laurencia Govender Nthabeleng Tamako Lwandiso Mdiya

The Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is largely rural, with agriculture as the main livelihood for many households. However, the province has a semi-arid climate and reliance on rain-fed agriculture, which makes the region highly vulnerable to climate-related risks, particularly droughts. Smallholder farmers, who play a crucial role in food production and local economies, face significant challenges due to limited access to resources like irrigation, modern technology, and financial support, exacerbating their vulnerability to climate variability. These droughts cause severe losses in agricultural productivity, threatening food security, increasing poverty, and driving rural migration. Despite the potential benefits of adaptation strategies, many farmers lack the tools and knowledge to effectively cope with the increasing frequency and severity of droughts. This study examines how smallholder farmers in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province perceive, experience, and cope with drought risk and its food and nutrition security implications. Using structured questionnaires, the authors collected data from 160 smallholder farmers and employed statistical analysis techniques, including a multinomial logit model. The study found that smallholder farmers understand drought risk but continue to face high vulnerability to adverse effects such as water scarcity, crop failure, increased disease incidence, and rising temperatures. Socioeconomic and institutional factors significantly influenced the adaptation strategies chosen by smallholder farmers. This study suggests that a combination of localized and modern adaptation approaches, supported by various institutional, policy, and technological interventions, is essential to enhance the resilience of these farmers. Specifically, localized strategies such as using traditional water management systems and crop diversification were effective in addressing region-specific climate challenges. At the same time, modern approaches like climate-resilient crop varieties and early-warning systems provided broader, more scalable solutions. Institutional support measures, such as access to climate information and extension services, policy interventions promoting sustainable practices, and technological advancements in irrigation and seed technologies, were key factors in improving adaptive capacity and reducing vulnerability. There is an urgent need to provide comprehensive support and empower farmers to adapt effectively, protect their livelihoods, and contribute to broader food security and poverty reduction efforts. This study highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the perceptions and experiences of smallholder farmers facing drought risk to ensure sustainable food production, income generation, and poverty alleviation.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411163

Authors: Wang Zhang Liu Nie

Water use efficiency (WUE) of ecosystems plays a crucial role in balancing carbon storage and water consumption. The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, a karst landscape region with relatively fragile ecosystems in China, requires a better understanding of the evolution of WUE and the factors driving it for the region’s ecological sustainability. This study employs Theil–Sen slope estimation and Mann–Kendall significance analysis to investigate the temporal trends and spatial patterns of WUE in the study area. Additionally, a machine learning model, XGBoost, is used to establish driving relationships, and the SHAP model is applied to interpret the importance of the driving factors and their specific relationship with WUE. The results show that (1) WUE exhibits an increasing trend, with a slope of 0.002, indicating improved water absorption and utilization capacity of vegetation in the region. (2) The spatial distribution of WUE follows a “high–low–high” pattern from southwest to northeast, with 6.68% of the area showing a significant increase, 50.80% showing a weak increase, 4.60% showing a significant decrease, and 37.92% showing a weak decrease. (3) The importance of the driving factors is ranked as follows: normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), maximum temperature (TMAX), shortwave radiation (SRAD), Palmer drought severity index (PDSI), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and precipitation (PRE). The NDVI has a linear positive relationship with WUE; SRAD has a decreasing effect on WUE, with this effect weakening at higher values; and TMAX, PRE, the PDSI, and VPD show a non-monotonic relationship with WUE, increasing and then decreasing. The findings of this study are significant for ecological civilization construction and sustainable development in the region.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411162

Authors: Quan Xue Chen Wang Zhang Ni Li Li Zhang Xie

The mature theory of safety assessment and system operation is crucial to ensure the safety and property of commuters under the tunnel fire condition, but the relationship between pollutants and the quality of the luminous environment is still the weakest link in this research area. To establish this close relation, this study adopted three different scaled experiments to investigate the pollutant-visibility model based on spectral analysis. The first scaled tunnel model fire experiment, conducted on a 20.5-m-long experimental platform, utilized three combustion sources to analyze the light attenuation of natural gas, PVC-insulated cables, and smoke cakes based on the APE index. Then the spectrum selective contrast experiment collected several typical spectral data from coloured transparent panels, and the compared results advocated that there is no much different impact on luminous environment with these combustion sources under smoky conditions. At last, the acrylic box pollutant experiment was conducted with different CO/NO2 concentrations, and the results provided quantitative relationship between the light average attenuation rate and CO/NO2 concentrations. The findings of this study could be able to further establish the connection between pollutants and safety evacuation, as well as ventilation and luminous environment by combining the relatively mature research of tunnel fire.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411161

Authors: Farasath Hasan Amila Jayasinghe Chethika Abenayake

The promotion of sustainability and resilience within urban environments is widely recognized as an essential approach to educating urban communities through innovative strategies and tools. This paper presents a process for integrating stakeholders into urban growth simulation, thereby enhancing sustainable decision-making. Currently, most urban growth models fail to incorporate the perspectives of diverse stakeholders, leading to reduced equitable participation in the decision-making process. To achieve long-term sustainability, it is imperative to include the input and viewpoints of stakeholders. This study follows a four-step approach: identifying relevant stakeholders, developing the framework, evaluating its effectiveness, and documenting lessons learned. The framework involves key steps, including initial participatory modeling, analysis of development pressures and suitability with stakeholders, and technical urban growth modeling. A unique combination of modeling tools and an innovative approach was employed, incorporating the default FUTURES (GRASS-GIS) model alongside the CA-Markov Chain, Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) (NetLogo), the Cellular-Automata-based Python model, and MOLUSCE-QGIS. This integrated approach facilitates the inclusion of stakeholder-based knowledge into conventional urban growth modeling, providing novel local lessons in science, technology, and innovation initiatives. Validation was conducted through both technical and stakeholder mechanisms, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed framework.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411158

Authors: Yuanxin Li Xinmiao Zhou Huihong Liu Jia Wu

The green transition of polluting firms is critical for achieving sustainable economic development. While previous research has explored the relationship between environmental policy and corporate pollution, it has often neglected the sustainability challenges faced by firms. Drawing on data from listed companies in China from 2008 to 2022, this paper empirically examines the impact of environmental policy on the risk-taking behavior of polluting firms. Building on this analysis, we assess the ecological impact, characteristics, and underlying mechanisms of a specific policy, while proposing solutions to promote sustainability in polluting firms. The findings indicate that, although environmental policy reduces the risk-taking levels of polluting firms, it has not been effective in curbing pollution emissions. This effect is particularly pronounced in firms exhibiting characteristics such as low-quality environmental information disclosure, industry resource crowding, and stringent regional assessments. The policy heightens financing constraints and investment costs for polluting firms and diminishes their expectations for future growth, ultimately suppressing both their capacity and willingness to take risks. Further analysis suggests that environmental coordination regulations and green transition guidance can encourage risk-taking behavior among polluting firms. These findings offer empirical evidence from the perspective of polluting firms, providing valuable insights into addressing the sustainability dilemma.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411160

Authors: Lei Xi Ziyi Guo

In the context of global climate change and resource scarcity, corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, as well as corporate green innovation, have emerged as pivotal drivers for fostering sustainable development. The heterogeneity of the top management team (TMT) significantly influences the direction and effectiveness of both ESG performance and corporate green innovation. Drawing on upper echelon theory, information decision-making theory, and social categorization theory, this paper conducts an empirical study using a sample of 314 manufacturing enterprises and employs multiple linear regression analysis to uncover the impact of TMT heterogeneity on corporate green innovation and the mediating role of ESG performance. The findings from this research suggest that TMT heterogeneity exerts a notable positive influence on green innovation (including green technological innovation and green product innovation), and that ESG performance plays a partial mediating role between TMT heterogeneity and green innovation. This research enriches the theoretical foundation of corporate green innovation from the perspective of TMT heterogeneity and offers pertinent suggestions for enterprises to advance their green innovation development.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411157

Authors: Syed Sundus Raza Eoin Reeves

This paper analyses the situated practice of developing a smart city in Limerick, Ireland. It maps out, at a city scale, how the development of the smart city was planned, organised, and governed, as well as ongoing challenges. It addresses two of the principal gaps in the smart city literature, namely, the scarcity of in-depth case studies based on extensive fieldwork and the shortage of studies on smart city development on brownfield sites. Source material was gathered through desk research and interviews with key stakeholders. Limerick adopted an articulated strategic approach to smart city development. The local government’s dedicated smart city unit played a vital role in planning, managing, and implementing smart city operations. The local government did not centralise the smart city development process. Over time, there has been a gradual shift towards the development of Quadruple Helix collaborations and a balance between top-down and bottom-up approaches. The paper also identifies the challenges that might restrain Limerick’s smart city ambitions. These include financial, budgetary, technological, and human resources challenges. It also identifies the challenge of digital exclusion and the need for greater citizen involvement in smart city development.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411159

Authors: Jelena M. Andrić Lin Cheng Sun

Sustainable development is supported by infrastructure projects that have a long-term impact on economic development, societies, and the environment. In this paper, the aim is to estimate the cost performance, investigate the best-fit function for modeling the correlations between cost overruns and three variables, and identify the root causes of overruns in South Asian infrastructure projects. In the past, linear regression analysis has been utilized to model the correlations between cost overruns and project size, implementation period, and time overruns. Modeling these correlations requires the study and application of other regression functions. A database of 138 infrastructure projects from the South Asian region is established from the collected data. A methodology based on mixed methods for qualitative and quantitative data analysis is developed to achieve the aims of the paper. A mixed method encompasses a probabilistic and statistical approach alongside machine learning as quantitative methods and employs content analysis facilitated by NVivo v. 11 software as a qualitative method. Based on the results, the average cost overrun in infrastructure projects in South Asia is 3.3%. The random forest regression function, a machine learning technique, is tested as the most suitable function for modeling the impact between cost overruns and other variables compared to the linear and quadratic regression functions. The practical application is to support project stakeholders in the process of cost estimation during the decision-making phase of the project, to predict overruns in future infrastructure projects using machine learning techniques such as random forest regression, and to contribute to overall sustainable development.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411156

Authors: Fengyan Yi Wei Guo Hongtao Gong Yang Shen Jiaming Zhou Wenhao Yu Dagang Lu Chunchun Jia Caizhi Zhang Farui Gong

In the context of intelligent and connected transportation, obtaining the real-time vehicle status and comprehensive traffic data is crucial for addressing challenges related to speed optimization and energy regulation in intricate transportation situations. This paper introduces a control method for the speed optimization and energy management of a fuel cell hybrid bus (FCHB) based on the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm. The strategy framework is built on a dual-objective optimization deep reinforcement learning (D-DRL) architecture, which integrates traffic signal information into the energy management framework, in addition to conventional state spaces to guide control decisions. The aim is to achieve “green wave” traffic while minimizing hydrogen consumption. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, simulation tests were conducted using the SUMO platform. The results show that in terms of speed planning, the difference between the maximum and minimum speeds of the FCHB was reduced by 21.66% compared with the traditional Intelligent Driver Model (IDM), while the acceleration and its variation were reduced by 8.89% and 13.21%, respectively. In terms of the hydrogen fuel efficiency, the proposed strategy achieved 95.71% of the performance level of the dynamic programming (DP) algorithm. The solution proposed in this paper is of great significance for improving passenger comfort and FCHB economy.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411155

Authors: Daniel Pugar Lidija Ćurković Ivana Gabelica Mihone Mustafa

Jarosite is a by-product of the zinc manufacturing industry. The potential use of jarosite processing waste as a component in hybrid composites offers a valuable opportunity for addressing waste management and environmental challenges. Therefore, in this study, hybrid composites were prepared using a polyester matrix reinforced with five layers of a fiberglass chopped strand mat and incorporating 5, 10, and 15 wt. % of jarosite waste particles as fillers. The hand lay-up technique was used for the composite preparation, with jarosite particles pre-dispersed in the polyester resin by an ultrasonic probe treatment to ensure the uniform dispersion of the jarosite particles within the matrix. The flexural properties (the flexural strength, modulus, and apparent interlaminar shear strength), Charpy impact strength, and hardness of the composites were determined and analyzed. The results showed that adding 10 wt. % of jarosite significantly improved the flexural strength (30% higher than the base composite) and hardness (15% higher). Composites with 5 wt. % and 15 wt. % of jarosite showed similar properties to the base composite. These findings demonstrate the potential of jarosite waste as a sustainable filler in hybrid composites, balancing mechanical properties and sustainability.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411151

Authors: Hosam Elhalis

Specialty Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains have emerged as key contributors to innovations across various industries, offering unique functionalities that extend beyond conventional applications. This review explores the diverse roles of specialty S. cerevisiae in nutrition, winemaking, and bioethanol production. In the field of nutrition, yeast biomass serves as a sustainable and nutrient-dense source of proteins, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, presenting potential as a functional food ingredient. S. cerevisiae can bioaccumulate trace elements like selenium, zinc, and chromium, offering health benefits, but challenges in toxicity and biomass recovery must be addressed for safe use in supplements. In winemaking, S. cerevisiae enhances flavor profiles, improves fermentation efficiency, and reduces undesirable compounds, contributing to premium wine quality. The potential of S. cerevisiae in novel applications is vast, including the development of low-alcohol wines, cryotolerant strains for improved fermentation at lower temperatures, and reduced chemical additives, highlighting its versatility in enhancing wine quality and sustainability. Furthermore, specialty S. cerevisiae plays a pivotal role in bioethanol production, with strain selection and further improvement leading to enhanced yield and efficiency, particularly from lignocellulosic biomass. By examining the latest innovations in each of these areas, this review highlights the versatility and potential of specialty S. cerevisiae in advancing sustainable development and enhancing product quality across sectors.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411149

Authors: Paul Fabianek Reinhard Madlener

In this article, we propose an assessment framework for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Germany using economic and customer-relevant criteria, with a focus on the mobility needs of individuals. Developing this framework required data obtained from four different sources: (1) literature, (2) semi-structured interviews, (3) a survey, and (4) market research. First, we derived the criteria relevant to assessing ZEVs from the literature and from semi-structured interviews. These interviews were conducted with individuals who have driving experience with both battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. Seven criteria were found to be particularly relevant for assessing ZEVs: greenhouse gas emissions, infrastructure availability, charging/refueling time, range, spaciousness, total costs, and driving dynamics (in descending order of importance). Second, we conducted a survey among 569 ZEV drivers and ZEV-interested individuals in order to weight these seven criteria. This survey was based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process approach. We then used market research to assign value scores to each criterion, representing the extent to which a particular ZEV meets a given criterion. Finally, we combined the value scores with the criteria weights to create the assessment framework. This framework allows for a transparent assessment of different ZEVs from the perspective of (potential) customers, without the need to repeatedly involve the surveyed participants. Our study is primarily useful for mobility planners, policymakers, and car manufacturers to improve ZEV infrastructure and support transportation systems’ transition towards low-carbon mobility.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411153

Authors: Luz Baltodano-Nontol Carlos Alvarado-Silva Mirtha Fernández-Mantilla Rosa Gálvez-Carrillo Ángel Acevedo-Duque

Environmental and climate change issues are a consequence of human actions that, whether consciously or unconsciously, damage the environment. The main objective of this research is to develop an instrument to measure environmental awareness levels among citizens. The developed questionnaire consists of 34 items, adapted and grouped into four dimensions: affective, cognitive, conative, and active. The main distinction of this questionnaire from prior models is its aim to assess environmental awareness levels applicable to any citizen. The scale’s reliability is demonstrated by high internal consistency (α = 0.965 and Ω = 0.958). The key findings on scale performance are evident in the scale’s validity, supported by a confirmatory factor analysis that shows a KMO index of 0.981, a significant Bartlett’s test of sphericity (p < 0.01), and a matrix determinant below 0.001. The maximum likelihood model shows an adequate fit (p < 0.01) and identifies four factors, which together explain 70.134% of the total variance: the first factor contributes 53.075%, the second 12.097%, the third 2.962%, and the fourth 2%. An important finding is the instrument’s high consistency and robustness for evaluating environmental awareness in citizens, offering a reliable and specific tool for environmental studies in urban contexts.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411152

Authors: Aleksei I. Shinkevich Farida F. Galimulina Naira V. Barsegyan

A research framework is formed by the semantics of the “green” macrosystem, supported by a methodological approach, data analysis, and forecasting, with a focus on the dynamics of transition to a qualitatively new state. The purpose of the work is to develop conceptual provisions and methodological tools for assessing the implementation of the concept of a “green” macrosystem. Applying methods of system analysis, content analysis, formalization, statistical analysis (technologies of knowledge discovery in databases and time series analysis), and discriminant analysis contributed to achieving the goal. As a result of the research, the categorical apparatus of a “green” economy was clarified by outlining narrow and broad approaches to defining the “green” macrosystem; the author’s method of assessing the implementation of the concept of the “green” macrosystem was modified by expanding the list of factors of greening the economic system, transforming the condition of the “green” corridor to calculate the developed dynamic coefficient of transition to the concept of the “green” macrosystem (DCGM), and adapting the method to the macrosystem level; the regularities of a transition to the concept of a “green” macrosystem were revealed. The novelty of the study lies in the proposal of an integral DCGM indicator, which avoids the problems of normalization, weighting, and loss of relevant data, incorporates the determinants of the “green” economy (natural resources and pollution), and relies on available data. The formulated provisions develop the theoretical basis on which to transform the macrosystem to the “green” concept and can be taken into account in the implementation’s framework of strategic planning documents for the greening of production and economic systems.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411150

Authors: Canyi Xie

Transitioning to a low-carbon electricity model can significantly reduce carbon emissions and offer substantial environmental benefits. A critical factor in this transition is residents’ willingness to pay for low-carbon electricity, which can drive sustainable consumption patterns. Given the internet’s pivotal role in information dissemination and communication, it is important to investigate how internet usage influences residents’ willingness to pay for low-carbon electricity. Using data from the China General Social Survey 2018, Ordinary Least Squares regression and a moderating-effect model were employed in this study to examine the research topic. The findings reveal that internet usage significantly increases residents’ willingness to pay for low-carbon electricity. A further mechanism analysis shows that low-carbon cognition plays a moderating role, enhancing the effect of internet usage on residents’ willingness to pay for low-carbon electricity. Moreover, a heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive impact of internet usage on willingness to pay for low-carbon electricity varies by region, gender, and household registration status. This study contributes to the literature on green energy payment willingness by highlighting the key role of internet usage and providing valuable insights for policymakers to enhance public support for low-carbon initiatives.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411147

Authors: Augustinas Maceika Andrej Bugajev Olga Regina Šostak

The intensification of human activities and the escalating impact of climate change have increased the probability of disasters, making it important to develop sustainable development scenarios that consider potential disaster consequences. However, disasters are indirectly represented in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and often overshadowed by other topics. This study focuses on disaster effects in the context of sustainable development. We conducted a sociological survey with 30 respondents from Lithuanian companies, half of which were large manufacturing enterprises, and found that only 37% had encountered sustainable development and disaster management issues, with a similar proportion actively developing related scenarios. Although external stakeholders often participate, 57% of the respondents indicated that their company acts independently on these matters. Large companies rated their disaster preparedness higher (3.5/5) than SMEs (2.9/5) or micro-companies (2.8/5). Rapid response and liquidation of disaster consequences was deemed more important (4.5/5) than risk management and resilience-building scenarios (3.8/5). Using correlation and mutual information analyses, we uncovered linear and non-linear dependencies, showing that psychological stress among employees negatively correlates with the importance assigned to SDGs during disasters. Additionally, we demonstrated how generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can transform survey results into tailored scenarios. These findings provide practical insights and methodologies for enhancing organizational resilience and sustainability, even with limited resources.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411148

Authors: Giulio Mangherini Eleonora Baccega Valentina Diolaiti Donato Vincenzi

This research addresses the need for enhanced thermal management in building-integrated photovoltaic systems, specifically focusing on semi-transparent PV panels based on luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) technology. In pursuit of optimal thermal regulation, the cooling effect of a paraffin PCM was investigated via finite element simulations developed with COMSOL Multiphysics. The PCM was thermally coupled with the PV cells situated in the frame of a south-facing window. Due to the seasonal difference between winter and summer, the PCM latent heat capacity and melting temperature were optimized to ensure the maximum nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT) reduction during summer months. PCM latent heat capacities equivalent to 120 kJ/kg, 180 kJ/kg, and 240 kJ/kg have been investigated, whereas for the melting temperature a range from 20 °C to 42 °C was spanned. The combination of higher latent heat and 36 °C melting point showed the most significant thermal benefits, by reducing the NOCT from 42 °C to 36 °C, which led to an 11.80% increase in power output across the whole PV window. Considering the same latent heat, the other melting temperature resulted in more moderate benefits, namely an enhancement of 7.88% and 3.94%, for 38 °C and 40 °C, respectively. The lower latent heat capacities resulted in an NOCT reduction that ranged between 2.7 °C and 5.3 °C, according to the associated melting point. These results testify that the presented solution could significantly enhance energy production in semi-transparent PV applications based on LSC panels.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411145

Authors: Tianyu Liu Hongbing Chen Junfeng Ren Long Zhang Hongrui Chen Rundong Hong Chenshuang Li Wenlong Cui Wenhua Guo Changji Wen

The classification of urban functional zones is crucial for improving land use efficiency and promoting balanced development across urban areas. Existing methods for classifying urban functional zones using mobile signaling data face challenges primarily due to the limitations of single data sources, insufficient utilization of multidimensional data, and inherent inaccuracies in mobile signaling data. To address these issues, this study proposes an innovative classification method that employs advanced multimodal data fusion techniques to enhance the accuracy and reliability of functional zone classification. Mobile signaling data are mapped into image data using timestamp and geographic location information and combined with point of interest (POI) data to construct a comprehensive multimodal dataset. Deep learning techniques are then applied to fuse the multimodal data features, enabling precise and reliable classification of functional zones. The experimental results demonstrate that this method achieves an accuracy of 95.128% in classifying urban functional zones, significantly outperforming methods that use single-modal data.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411146

Authors: Lianthuamluaia Lianthuamluaia Basanta Kumar Das Pranaya Kumar Parida Gunjan Karnatak Aparna Roy Archan Kanti Das Bijay Kumar Behera Arun Pandit Amiya Kumar Sahoo Kausik Mondal Sangeeta Chakraborty Purna Chandra Shreya Bhattacharya

Small indigenous fish (SIF) production from wetlands provides nutritious food and supports the livelihood of the fishing community. The present study investigated the fish production trend, SIF diversity, and role of environmental and climatic parameters in Beledanga, a floodplain wetland in lower Ganges, through the sampling and collection of data from the local fishermen cooperative society. The fish catch composition in the wetland shifted after 2019, with the increased Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp) contribution from 11% to 17% due to the introduction of in situ seed-raising technology of an HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pen culture system. The fish fingerling stocking has a profound impact on fish production (R2 = 0.60, p = 0.007). During the study period, 19 species of SIF were recorded, with a higher abundance observed in the monsoon season. The naturally occurring SIF contributed 16% of the total fish catch, with the highest catch in 2011 (11,970 kg). Water pH and phosphate content are the two most important environmental parameters that influence SIF. The generalized additive model (GAM) indicated that the optimum annual rainfall for fish production in the wetland was between 750 and 1250 mm. The average annual fish production of 43,017 kg through stocking and SIF support the livelihood and nutritional security of the fishers. As the SIF showed a decreasing trend of production, habitat protection, scientific stocking, and in situ enclosure culture are recommended for sustainable enhancement of fish production and to conserve the SIF diversity.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411144

Authors: Zhongping Liu Baisong Su Qingjing Ji Yan Hu

This paper delves into the critical issues of relay protection setting calculation in high-voltage power grids with large-scale integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. By analyzing the topological structure of renewable energy systems, models of permanent magnet direct-drive wind turbines and photovoltaic power sources are established, with a particular focus on the short-circuit current characteristics of these renewable energy sources. Subsequently, a fault iterative method for short-circuit current calculation is proposed. This method effectively improves the accuracy of short-circuit current calculation by iteratively analyzing the fault region and considering the voltage-controlled current source characteristics of renewable energy sources. The paper also conducts in-depth research on various aspects of relay protection settings after the integration of renewable energy devices, including main transformer neutral grounding strategies, tie-line protection and reclosing principles, islanding prevention, and boundary backup protection management. By applying this method to a practical engineering case in G Province, China, the short-circuit current is calculated, and partial setting values are determined, demonstrating the ability of this method to enhance system safety and stability. This research provides valuable insights for operators of modern power systems.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411143

Authors: Valentina Schiattarella Camilla Barbieri Stefania Moioli Laura A. Pellegrini Giacomo Filippini Alberto Renato de Angelis Gianluca Fiori

CO2 removal, especially the one applied to reduce the emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere (carbon capture, utilization, and storage), is one of the main research topics nowadays because of its great contribution to the reduction in climate change and to making many industrial processes sustainable. In this regard, alternative solvents to the traditional ones are under study with the aim of employing a more sustainable solvent for the environment, health, and society, in comparison with the traditional amine aqueous solutions that are toxic and corrosive. The CO2-binding organic liquids (CO2-BOLs) are a class of components of interest. In this work, the vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for two newly selected binary mixtures based on CO2-BOLs, 1,3-Propanediol+DBU and DBU+Sulfolane, have been experimentally determined at the Process Thermodynamics laboratory (PT lab) of Politecnico di Milano to evaluate the suitability of these mixtures for being a solvent for CO2 removal. All the experiments have been carried out by using the Fischer® Labodest® VLLE 602 unit at a constant pressure of 30 kPa. The densities of the mixtures for all the considered compositions have been determined at atmospheric pressure with a density meter (Mettler Toledo Densito Density2Go). No data on the VLE of these mixtures can be found in the literature. This is the first work focusing on mixtures of these components that could be employed as solvents for CO2 removal as alternative solvents to the monoethanolamine (MEA) aqueous solution in the process of chemical absorption. The collected experimental data have then been used for the definition of the thermodynamic model by considering different possible theories (NRTL, Wilson, and UNIQUAC) that could be employed for the representation of the two systems.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411142

Authors: Fethi Miloua Said Nemmich Thami Zeghloul Mohamed Miloudi Karim Medles Lucian Dascalescu

Waste minimization is a major way to achieve sustainable development. Electrostatic separation is already used in the recycling industry for processing certain mixtures of shredded plastics originating from waste electric and electronic equipment. Standard tribo-electrostatic separators use electric forces to deflect the trajectories of triboelectrically charged particles in the electric field generated between two vertical plate electrodes connected to high voltage supplies of opposite polarities. However, the efficiency of this device is often limited by the impacts between the particles and the electrodes, which diminish the recovery and the purity of the end product. An innovative electrostatic separator was specifically designed to mitigate this risk. The innovation lies in using two rotating co-axial vertical cylindrical electrodes and assisting the movement of the particles with downward-oriented air flow to reduce their impact on the electrodes and improve the quality of the recovered products. The aim of this study was to optimize the operation of the patented electrostatic separator by using experimental design methodology to obtain quadratic polynomial models of the recovery and the purity of the products as functions of the high voltage applied to the electrode system and of the air flow through the device. The experiments were conducted with a granular mixture composed of 88% polypropylene (PP) and 12% high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) particles, extracted from the recycling process of waste electrical and electronic equipment, and triboelectrically charged in a fluidized bed device. A voltage of 50 kV combined with an air flow rate of 1700 m3/min maximized the recovery and the purity of PP and HIPS products collected at the outlet of the separator. These results open promising prospects for expanding the use of tribo-electrostatic separation for efficient recycling of granular waste plastics.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411141

Authors: Jennifer Elston Hugo Pinto Carla Nogueira

The Blue Economy, a dynamic field intertwining ocean sustainability, innovation, and economic progress, stands as a beacon of hope for fostering inclusive growth while advancing sustainable practices. This systematic literature review embarks on a journey to unravel the intricate relationship between innovation and sustainable practices within the Blue Economy, to uncover how innovation transforms and promotes sustainability, and to pinpoint barriers to adoption of innovative technologies and processes. By delving into the multifaceted landscape of sustainability and innovation studies within the Blue Economy, this study illuminates the potential of innovative approaches to drive sustainability in coastal and marine areas. With global attention shifting toward ocean sustainability due to survival risks and resource scarcity, this study addresses two central questions: how does innovation drive sustainable practices within the Blue Economy, and what barriers prevent the widespread adoption of these innovations? Using this interrogation as a compass to navigate the existing literature, and through a comprehensive analysis of the role of innovation in promoting sustainable practices, this review aims to provide hints for the main directions for a sustainable Blue Economy.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411137

Authors: Rojas-Flores Segundo De La Cruz-Noriega Magaly Nélida Milly Otiniano Cabanillas-Chirinos Luis Luis M. Angelats-Silva

The great utility that plastics generate for society has generated a large amount of waste, producing tons of garbage from this material that damages the ecosystem, human health, and farmland. Likewise, the issue of the absence of electricity in low-income areas is critical for society. This research proposes a novel solution to simultaneously solve these two problems, which, through single-chamber microbial fuel cells, introduce plastic waste and the fungus Paecilomyces. The microbial fuel cells (MFCs) showed a maximum electric current of 0.547 ± 0.185 mA with a peak voltage of 0.575 ± 0.106 V on day 36; on this day, the MFCs operated with a pH of 6.524 ± 0.360 and electrical conductivity of 264.847 ± 6.395 mS/cm. These results demonstrate the potential of this system to generate electricity from plastic waste, addressing the issue of electricity scarcity in low-income areas. The chemical oxygen demand was also reduced by 85.47%, indicating the system’s ability to degrade plastic waste. The power density calculated on day 36 was 0.0624 ± 0.0053 mW/cm2 at a current density of 0.0052 mA/cm2 and an internal resistance of 55.254 ± 7.583 Ω. The reducing action of the fungus on the plastic was demonstrated in the FTIR transmittance spectrum because the characteristic peaks (3378, 2854–2911, 1642, 1472, and 720 cm−1) of the plastic suffered reductions in the final state, and the micrographs of the plastic surfaces showed the lifting of layers and the formation of irregular structures and a decrease in the thickness of the plastic sample of 139.66 ± 4.19 µm.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411139

Authors: Ahmed K. Abd El Aal Hossam M. GabAllah Hanaa A. Megahed Maha K. Selim Mahmoud A. Hegab Mohamed E. Fadl Nazih Y. Rebouh Heba El-Bagoury

Machine Learning Techniques (MLTs) and accurate geographic mapping are crucial for managing natural hazards, especially when monitoring the movement of sand dunes. This study presents the integration of MLTs with geographic information systems (GIS) and “R” software to monitor sand dune movement in Najran City, Saudi Arabia (KSA). Utilizing Linear Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with nine dune-related variables, this study introduces a new Drifting Sand Index (DSI) for effectively identifying and mapping dune accumulations. The DSI incorporates multispectral sensors data and demonstrates a robust capability for monitoring sand dune dynamics. Field surveys and spatial data analysis were used to identify about 100 dune locations, which were then divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets at random. These models produced a thorough dune encroachment risk map that divided areas into five hazard zones: very low, low, medium, high, and very high risk. The results show an average sand dune movement of 0.8 m/year towards the southeast. Performance evaluation utilizing the Area Under Curve-Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUC-ROC) approach revealed AUC values of 96.2% for SVM, 94.2% for RF, and 93% for ANN, indicating RF (AUC = 96.2%) as the most effective MLTs. This crucial information provides valuable insights for sustainable development and environmental protection, enabling decision-makers to prioritize regions for mitigation techniques against sand dune encroachment.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411138

Authors: Junyan Zhang Tufail Muhammad Wensheng Dai Qasim Raza Khan Mushtaq Ahmad

To promote sustainable development and global prosperity, policymakers collaborate on strategically harnessing natural resources and promoting renewable energy consumption to stimulate economic growth. This study examines the resource curse hypothesis across eight South Asian countries, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, from 1996 to 2022 using the ARDL model, multicollinearity analysis, unit root testing, and cointegration techniques. The findings reveal diverse effects in both the short and long runs. Natural resource rents have varying impacts on economic performance, experiencing negligible or even negative effects in the short term. In contrast, others show positive long-term relationships between natural resource exploitation and economic growth. The analysis of key economic factors, such as human capital, capital investment, energy consumption, and trade openness, shows that each influences economic performance in specific and measurable ways. This study highlights the significant role that natural resources play in shaping economic outcomes, which tends to negatively affect investment in many instances, underscoring the need for efficient resource management to avoid potential economic stagnation. This result may stem from the high upfront costs of renewable energy infrastructure, which outweigh short-term benefits, and the lack of supportive policies for renewable energy projects. This research confirms the presence of the resource curse in South Asian countries, stressing the need for efficient resource management strategies to prevent economic instability and mismanagement. Governments must implement policies that promote trade diversity and openness while fostering sustainable growth through improved resource governance.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411140

Authors: Jacek Długosz Bożena Dębska Anna Piotrowska-Długosz

Reducing soil tillage with the application of catch-crop green mass as a mulch is a conservation practice that is used in agriculture to improve soil ecosystem functioning. Such a cultivation method enhances soil organic matter quantity and quality through the improvement of soil biological activity and nutrient availability, while reducing soil disturbance. Therefore, a three-year field experiment was conducted in the years 2017–2019 to evaluate the effect of three tillage methods (TMs) (conventional, CT; reduced, RT; and strip tillage, ST) on soil microbial and specific enzyme properties (microbial C and N content, the activity of dehydrogenases—DHA, the rate of fluorescein sodium salt hydrolysis—FDAH, CMC-cellulase—Cel and β-glucosidase—Glu) and certain basic soil properties. The study was performed in a field; it was a one-factor experiment that was carried out in a randomized block design. The soil samples were collected from the upper soil layer five times a year: in April (before the sowing of soybean), May, June, August and September (before soybean harvesting). The tillage methods or sampling dates used had no significant effect on the organic carbon and total nitrogen levels. Most of the C-related properties (the content of microbial biomass and the C-cycling enzymatic activity such as Cel and Glu) and microbial activity bioindicators (DHA activity, FDAH rate) revealed significant seasonal changes, whereby each variable was affected in a different order (e.g., the Cel activity was significantly higher in April and September than in other months—22%, while the DHA activity was significantly higher in June and August compared to other months—18%). RT significantly increased the enzymatic activity as compared to CT and ST, and the difference was between 8 and 33% (with a mean of 18%). The exception was the β-glucosidase activity as determined in 2019, which was significantly higher in the case of CT (1.02 mg pNP kg−1 h−1) and ST than in RT (0.705 mg pNP kg−1 h−1). However, the explanation for such phenomenon could not possibly be based on the available data. Our results suggested that the response of the enzyme activities toward the same factor may be due to the inherent variability in enzyme response associated with the spatial variability in soil properties as well as the properties of the enzyme itself and changes in the periodic occurrence of its substrates in the soil. Generally, the reduced tillage combined with plant residues return could be recommended for enhancing soil health and quality by improving its microbial and enzymatic features. The findings above suggest that a reduced tillage system is an important component of soil management in sustainable agriculture.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411135

Authors: Ying Cao Xuewen Gao Hanfang Yin Kexin Yu Di Zhou

Artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies have significant potential in traditional architectural education. Historically used separately, their educational impacts are not fully understood. To advance sustainable architecture education, this study incorporates language and illustration tools of artificial intelligence, along with immersive painting and simulation capabilities of virtual reality, into the curriculum of Jiangnan traditional architecture. Through a randomized controlled trial, 60 students were divided into AI, VR, and control groups. Based on the establishment of an adaptive course learning assessment system, this study empirically compares the effects of artificial intelligence methods, virtual reality methods, and traditional teaching methods across four dimensions: architectural knowledge, architectural design, architectural computation, and architectural learning. Independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance are used to validate the differences in the effectiveness of these technological applications. Findings reveal that artificial intelligence notably enhances design and learning outcomes, whereas virtual reality shows pronounced effects in bolstering knowledge acquisition and computational tasks. Artificial intelligence proves particularly suited to conceptualization and narrative-based design tasks, while virtual reality aligns closely with model creation and post-design refinement activities. These findings provide new perspectives for hybridizing artificial intelligence and virtual reality in sustainable architecture education, contributing to sustainable outcomes.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411134

Authors: Tiina Muhonen Liisa Timonen Kristiina Väänänen

This study explores how higher education institutions (HEIs) can foster the relevance of education for sustainable development (ESD) and strategic human resource development for a holistic sustainability transformation. Sharing a case example, it discusses how sustainable and responsible research, development and innovation (RDI) competences can be recognised, described and acknowledged to support the contextualised application of ESD and human resource development in one HEI of the INVEST university alliance and its stakeholders. It compares education professionals’ and stakeholders’ views on current and future competence needs and investigates inter-organisational competence development practices. The methodology encompasses a qualitative and interpretive case study based on focus group interviews. The results on the current sustainable competences indicated that HEI and stakeholder respondents identified disciplinary competences as the most important competence cluster followed by systems-thinking, strategies-thinking and integration competences. Although HEIs and stakeholders jointly regard disciplinary competences as most critical for the future, they have considerably different perspectives on the megatrends influencing these needs and the overall spectrum of the required competences. This study provides methodological means for contextualising sustainability competences and enhancing stakeholder-informed competence development. The results may serve as a point of reference for aligning higher education curricula and human resource development with ESD for more sustainable higher education.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411136

Authors: Sul-Geon Choi Doo-Yong Park Doo-Sung Choi Yong-Ho Jung

This study analyzes the performance of thermal energy storage tanks and chillers in efficiently operating cooling systems for smart greenhouses in hot, arid climates such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The performance of chillers is heavily influenced by outdoor air temperatures, with the coefficient of performance (COP) of chillers decreasing and energy consumption increasing as daytime temperatures rise. This study found that when the outdoor air temperature reached 46.6 °C, the COP of the chiller dropped to 2.18, representing a 24.6% decrease compared to the COP of 2.89 at 35 °C. Conversely, at night, when the outdoor air temperature dropped to 28.3 °C, the chiller’s performance recovered, with the COP rising to 3.67. To address this, a strategy utilizing thermal energy storage tanks to store chilled water at night for use during the day was proposed, compensating for the decline in chiller performance. The results showed that when the thermal energy storage capacity was set at 40%, energy consumption decreased by up to 15%. However, while increasing the thermal energy storage capacity beyond 50% effectively reduced the peak load on the chiller, further increasing it beyond 60% led to a rise in chiller capacity and energy consumption. Therefore, this study concludes that setting the thermal energy storage capacity to no more than 50% is the most effective strategy to maximize chiller performance and reduce energy consumption. These findings provide crucial guidelines for the design and operation of cooling systems, offering valuable strategies to optimize the operation of smart greenhouses in hot climates.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411132

Authors: Evy Rachmawati Chaldun Gatot Yudoko Eko Agus Prasetio

Small enterprises are essential in supporting economic growth, particularly in emerging countries. Due to their constrained resources and capacities, many small businesses in developing nations encounter intricate obstacles when trying to enter the global market rapidly. The study is intended to develop a theoretical framework that can reveal the essential and integrated resources, and capabilities in the internationalization process. Instead of literature investigations, multiple case studies were adopted to explore the process of achieving the international success of Indonesia’s export-oriented small enterprises. In-depth interviews with twelve small enterprises across the culinary, fashion, and craft sectors were conducted to collect qualitative data. A content analysis followed the input–process–output–outcome structure as the basis for developing the robust framework. Based on the Resource-Based View (RBV), this study reveals the synergistic role of production, networks, marketing, learning, and legal capabilities in creating competitive advantages that support business continuity and sustainability. Research findings reveal that successful internationalization is not achieved by a single capability but through an integrated bundle of capabilities that can serve market needs. This study contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive framework that maps the input–process–output–outcome structure of the internationalization process and offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to enhance SME competitiveness. The results underscore the importance of capability development and government support in facilitating SME global expansion. Ultimately, this study provides a basis for further investigation into the dynamic capabilities that SMEs need to thrive in international markets.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411133

Authors: Peter Addo Amarkai Sinan Süheri

The aim of this study is to compare crop evapotranspiration in the Konya Plain over a period of 10 years calculated by different crop evapotranspiration estimation methods using data collected from four meteorological stations. Accurate ET estimation is vital for sustainable water management in agriculture, especially in areas where there is a limited availability of water. This study highlights how the various estimation methods, particularly the radiation equation, support water-efficient agriculture when full weather data are available. To achieve this, it calculates the water requirements of five widely cultivated crops in the region: sugar beet, maize (grain), sunflower, dry bean, and wheat. The results show a significant difference between the FAO Penman–Monteith method and each of the other methods. It is also observed that the ETc values calculated according to the radiation equation are higher for most of the stations than the ETc values calculated using the other methods. At Akşehir, the ETc of dry bean obtained by using the radiation equation ranges from 501 mm to 679 mm; at Beyşehir, it ranges from 544 mm to 727 mm; at Cihanbeyli, from 679 mm to 738 mm; and at Ereğli, it ranges from 725 mm to 767 mm. The ASCE Penman–Monteith equation recorded the lowest ETc at all meteorological stations for the 10-year period. The radiation equation can be recommended for areas where there are not enough meteorological data to calculate the FAO Penman–Monteith equation, which is considered the standard approach for determining the water requirements of plants.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411131

Authors: Robert Popek Anamika Roy Mamun Mandal Arkadiusz Przybysz Katarzyna Drążkiewicz Patrycja Romanowska Abhijit Sarkar

Air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), poses a significant threat to urban environments and public health. This study aims to explore the impact of small-scale spatial and height variations on the ability of different roadside tree species: Tilia cordata Mill., Platanus × hispanica Mill. ex Münchh., and Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers., to accumulate PM, providing insights for enhancing urban sustainability. Conducted along a high-traffic road in Warsaw, Poland, the research examines PM accumulation at varying heights and locations within tree canopies while also evaluating the influence of PM on photosynthetic efficiency. Results indicate substantial differences in PM accumulation between tree species and height ranges, with S. intermedia accumulating the highest PM levels. PM accumulation was greatest near the roadside and at lower canopy heights (1–1.5 m), while higher canopies and areas distant from the road showed reduced PM concentrations. T. cordata exhibited the highest PM accumulation on the side facing traffic, averaging 12% at 1–1.5 m height, while the interior recorded 5% at 2–2.5 m height. In S. intermedia, the roadside crown contributed the highest accumulation (14%) at 1–1.5 m height and only 6% on the side facing departing traffic at 2–2.5 m height. P. hispanica displayed higher efficiency in PM accumulation, reaching 11% at the roadside (1–1.5 m) and 7% at the top of the crown (3–3.5 m). Additionally, PM accumulation negatively impacted photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll content, with the highest PM levels correlating with reduced plant vitality. PCA analysis showed a stronger association between leaf-deposited PM and total chlorophyll content and that the presence of accumulated PM may significantly influence the chlorophyll content of the plants. These findings provide valuable guidance for urban planners in strategically planting roadside vegetation to maximize air quality improvement, offering a cost-effective and sustainable approach to mitigate urban pollution.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411130

Authors: Elsayed A. Abdelsamie Abdel-rahman A. Mustafa Abdelbaset S. El-Sorogy Hanafey F. Maswada Sattam A. Almadani Mohamed S. Shokr Ahmed I. El-Desoky Jose Emilio Meroño de Larriva

Rapid population growth accelerates changes in land use and land cover (LULC), straining natural resource availability. Monitoring LULC changes is essential for managing resources and assessing climate change impacts. This study focused on extracting LULC data from 1993 to 2024 using the classification and regression tree (CART) method on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform in Qena Governorate, Egypt. Moreover, the cellular automata (CA) Markov model was used to anticipate the future changes in LULC for the research area in 2040 and 2050. Three multispectral satellite images—Landsat thematic mapper (TM), enhanced thematic mapper (ETM+), and operational land imager (OLI)—were analyzed and verified using the GEE code editor. The CART classifier, integrated into GEE, identified four major LULC categories: urban areas, water bodies, cultivated soils, and bare areas. From 1993 to 2008, urban areas expanded by 57 km2, while bare and cultivated soils decreased by 12.4 km2 and 42.7 km2, respectively. Between 2008 and 2024, water bodies increased by 24.4 km2, urban areas gained 24.2 km2, and cultivated and bare soils declined by 22.2 km2 and 26.4 km2, respectively. The CA-Markov model’s thematic maps highlighted the spatial distribution of forecasted LULC changes for 2040 and 2050. The results indicated that the urban areas, agricultural land, and water bodies will all increase. However, as anticipated, the areas of bare lands shrank during the years under study. These findings provide valuable insights for decision makers, aiding in improved land-use management, strategic planning for land reclamation, and sustainable agricultural production programs.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411129

Authors: Laura Miola Enrico Rinaldi Sara Di Resta Francesca Pazzaglia

Urban environments in Northeastern Italy, both natural and historical, are exposed to urbanization, climate change, and environmental risks that can impact perceptions of environmental quality and sustainability. However, the relationship between the perceived environmental risks, the related emotions, and the quality of urban living and well-being remains underexplored. The present study, therefore, aims to investigate the link between the perceived risk of adverse events and the emotion felt about the possibility of damage to historically and economically valuable sites, as well as the residents’ restorativeness, well-being, residential satisfaction, and sense of community. Participants completed online questionnaires addressing the following variables: perceived risk of environmental events; emotions of possible damage; restorativeness; well-being; residential satisfaction; and sense of community. The results showed negative relationships between perceived risk and residential satisfaction, well-being and restorativeness, but positive relationships between negative emotions of losing places of economic value and residential satisfaction, sense of community, and restorativeness. The findings highlight the role of emotions and restorativeness with well-being and satisfaction in residents of Piazzola sul Brenta (Italy).

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411127

Authors: Hanrong Xu Wuyong Qian Kaiyi Guo Xuan Wang

To address deficiencies in the delivery process of O2O takeaway delivery platforms, the concept of priority levels for merchants within the platform is introduced. Focusing on three core objectives—reducing the proportion of late deliveries, lowering delivery costs, and reducing average order fulfillment times—a model is established that considers merchant priorities for multi-objective pickup and delivery vehicle routing. A two-stage optimization model is proposed for efficient management of real-time order generation and dynamic changes in delivery personnel locations. An improved variable neighborhood search algorithm is used to obtain the initial distribution plan; meanwhile, in the subsequent dynamic adjustment phase, a periodic optimization strategy is adopted. Finally, a test case was constructed using partial data provided by the food delivery platform, and the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm was verified through numerical experiments. The experimental results show that as the weight of cost increases, costs decrease, which leads to an increase in the proportion of late deliveries and delivery times, which is detrimental to improving customer satisfaction with deliveries. The research findings not only enrich the theoretical study of the pickup and delivery vehicle routing problem (PDVRP) but also provide scientific optimization methods for food delivery platforms, facilitating their sustainable operations and enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of urban transportation networks.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411128

Authors: Wulf Kaal

Impact innovation has progressed through three phases: 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. Impact 1.0 introduced carbon credit trading, while Impact 2.0 added participatory grantmaking, impact measurement, and price competitions. Impact 3.0 incorporates Web3 community tools and impact certificate trading. This paper examines the evolution of these phases, focusing on Impact 3.0’s influence on philanthropic practices. Through an analysis of the literature and case studies, Web3 technologies and impact certificate markets are investigated for how these innovations affect transparency and efficiency in social impact initiatives. The information gathered indicates that Impact 3.0 facilitates decentralized impact verification and creates a marketplace aligning stakeholder interests. Consequently, leveraging the features of Web3 technologies can enable philanthropy to scale significantly and provide insights for impact-focused donors aiming to improve outcomes.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411125

Authors: Isam Alyaseri Jianpeng Zhou

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to evaluate wastewater treatment technologies, processes, and scenarios. The outcomes of LCA are affected by various uncertainties, including those from input data and those from the LCA model set-up (i.e., structural uncertainty). The impacts of structural uncertainty have not received adequate attention in research. The objective of this study was to quantify how the subjective choices embedded in the LCA model set-up affect the LCA outcomes of three wastewater sludge treatment processes. The subjective choices were based on LCA’s cultural theory that considers the three different human perspectives: egalitarian, hierarchist, and individualist. The three processes are multiple hearth incineration (MHI), fluid bed incineration (FBI), and anaerobic digestion (AD) for wastewater sludge treatment. This study revealed that for MHI, lower impacts are in the categories of human toxicity and marine ecotoxicity under the individualist perspective when compared to the other two perspectives, but higher impacts are in the categories of terrestrial acidification, terrestrial ecotoxicity, fresh water ecotoxicity, and marine ecotoxicity under the egalitarian perspective. Among the three subjective perspectives and the three studied wastewater sludge treatment processes, AD has the lowest and MHI has the highest environmental impacts. The results from this study revealed that the differences from subjective choices created large differences in LCA outcomes in climate change, human toxicity, ionizing radiation, terrestrial acidification, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and marine ecotoxicity. Findings from this study can benefit stake holders to understand the impacts of subjective choices and the limitation of LCA outcomes for making informed and sound decisions.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411119

Authors: Jiahui Wu Hongbing Deng Ran Sun

This study utilized annual precipitation data collected from 76 meteorological stations located on the Loess Plateau and its adjacent regions. It employed empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the Mann–Kendall trend test (M-K), and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) to investigate the spatial distribution patterns, temporal trends, and periodicity of annual precipitation from 1961 to 2016. The results showed the following: (1) The long-term averages of annual rainfall on the Loess Plateau exhibited a general decline from the southeast to the northwest, with certain areas demonstrating a trend of reduction radiating outward from the central region. This precipitation regime was fundamentally governed by the interplay between geographic coordinates and topo-graphical characteristics. Nevertheless, this spatial distribution pattern is expected to undergo changes in the future. (2) Annual precipitation in the southern and eastern parts decreased significantly, while the western part reported the greatest increase, and thus the spatial variability of precipitation will decrease in the future. (3) Annual precipitation on the Loess Plateau generally has a period of about 4 years. The wavelet coherence analysis reveals that El Niño events, occurring over a brief 4-year interval, correlate with diminished precipitation patterns across the eastern and southern sectors of the Loess Plateau, consequently attenuating the precipitation’s spatial variability throughout the entire geographical domain. Therefore, in the future, when El Niño occurs, it is necessary to prevent droughts in the eastern and southern regions of the Loess Plateau.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411124

Authors: Nnabueze Darlington Nnaji Chukwudi U Anyanwu Taghi Miri Helen Onyeaka

Heavy metal pollution from industrial activities and poor waste disposal poses significant environmental and health threats to humans and animals. This calls for sustainable approaches to the cleanup of heavy metals. This review explores metal tolerance mechanisms of bacteria such as the formation of biofilms, efflux systems, and enzymatic detoxification. These mechanisms allow bacteria communities to adapt and survive in contaminated environments. These adaptations are enhanced by mutations in the bacteria genes and by horizontal gene transfers, enabling bacteria species to survive under environmental stress while simultaneously contributing to nutrient cycling and the decomposition of organic matter. This review further explores the symbiotic interactions between bacteria, plants, and animals. These relationships enhance the metal tolerance ability of the different living organisms involved and are also very important in the bioremediation and phytoremediation of heavy metals. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, Rhizobium, and Bacillus species are very important contributors to phytoremediation; they improve heavy metal uptake, improve the growth of roots, and plants resilience to stress. Moreover, this review highlights the importance of genetically engineered bacteria in closed-loop systems for optimized metal recovery. This offers environmentally friendly and sustainable options to the traditional remediation methods. Engineered Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and Pseudomonas putida strain 15420352 overexpressing metallothioneins have shown enhanced metal-binding capabilities, which makes them very effective in the treatment of industrial wastewaters and in biosorption applications. The use of engineered bacteria for the cleanup of heavy metals in closed-loop systems promotes the idea of a circular economy by recycling metals, thus reducing environmental waste. Multidisciplinary research that integrates synthetic biology, microbial ecology, and environmental science is very important for the advancement of metal bioremediation technologies. This review’s analysis on bacterial metal tolerance, symbiosis, and bioengineering strategies offers a pathway to effective bioremediation options, for the reclamation of heavy metal-polluted environments while promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411126

Authors: Ireta Čekse Reinis Alksnis

In an increasingly interconnected world facing global challenges such as climate change and social inequality, citizenship education plays a critical role in preparing young people for responsible democratic participation and sustainability. This study aims to develop a model to explain factors influencing Latvian students’ perceptions of global threats, comparing data from the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)’s International Civic and Citizenship Study (ICCS) cycles in 2016 and 2022, to assess how these opinions have evolved and their implications for promoting sustainability through civic education. Confirmatory factor analysis is used to test the latent factor structure modeling the students’ perceptions of environmental and economic threats to the world’s future. A multi-group structural equation model is constructed and used with the corresponding descriptive statistics to analyze various background factor effects on students’ sustainability concerns. The results of the study indicate that citizenship knowledge, as well as various student-level background factors, have an impact on environmental and economic sustainability concerns among 13-year-old students. In some instances, these effects are mediated by students’ civic knowledge level, while in other instances, they are directly attributed to the background factors. The findings show that there may have been some shift in students’ perceptions of sustainability threats, and the role of civic education may have changed in this respect. Furthermore, the varying levels of knowledge across various levels of background factors may suggest that content in lessons must be differentiated according to the needs of groups to support their understanding of the importance of sustainability.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411123

Authors: Ziyao Wang Feng Li Donglin Xie Jujie Jia Chaonan Cheng Jing Lv Jianhua Jia Zhe Jiang Xin Li Yuxia Suo

The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) has the largest area of natural grassland in China, and continuous grassland degradation poses a serious threat to regional ecological security and sustainable resource management. It is essential to comprehensively evaluate the cost–benefit differences and drivers of grassland degradation across various zones to enhance sustainable management practices. This study presents a zonal management framework for the ecological restoration of degraded grasslands based on cost–benefit analysis, specifically applied to Qinghai in the Northeastern QTP. The results indicate: (1) Although the overall NDVI of grasslands shows an upward trend, some areas still exhibit significant degradation. (2) Cost–benefit analysis can divide degraded grasslands into four types of Ecological Management Zones (EMZs): high-cost–high-benefit zone, high-cost–low-benefit zone, low-cost–low-benefit zone, and low-cost–high-benefit zone. (3) The driving factors of grassland degradation show significant differences in different EMZs. Based on these research findings, differentiated spatial planning and management strategies for grassland ecological restoration were developed for each EMZ. This study not only provides a scientific methodology for grassland ecological restoration but also offers important insights for the sustainable management of grassland resources in the QTP and other ecologically sensitive areas.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411120

Authors: Luxiang Cai Jinlun Lin Mingtian Huang Yong Hong Xuemeng Zhong Yourui Guo Wu You Qingtie Xiao Ruiyu Lin

The issue of soil contamination by heavy metals (HMs) has attracted extensive attention. In the present study, the effects of four remediation measures combined with rice intercropping on the quality of soils were evaluated in a mildly HM-contaminated paddy field. The results showed that better comprehensive remediation effects were found in the intercropping system with high and low Cd-tolerant rice than in the monoculture system. Both foliar spraying of sodium selenite and inoculation with Pseudomonas TCd-1 significantly reduced the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index (NCPI) of the soils. The application of biochar and lime significantly increased the soil fertility index. Among all the treatments, the application of 30 t∙hm−2 biochar and 3600 kg∙hm−2 lime improved soil fertility the most. The lowest single-factor pollution indices (SFPIs) of Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb and the NCPI of the soils were observed in the treatment with foliar spraying of sodium selenite at 45 mg∙L−1, showing the greatest comprehensive reduction in soil HMs. The application of 1200 kg∙hm−2 lime and 30 t∙hm−2 biochar and foliar spraying of 45 mg∙L−1 sodium selenite effectively improved the soil quality. Overall, the soil quality of paddy fields dramatically influenced the cleaner production of rice and is of great significance to the maintenance of food security.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411122

Authors: Jiahuan Tang Shuqun Zhang Guannan Zheng Zhuoya Han Dingmei Wang Hao Lin

To evaluate the effects of the type and proportion of bulking agents on compost maturity, chicken manure feedstock (J) was selected as the main raw material for aerobic composting, and wood chips (M), straw (S), and cornmeal (Y) were used as bulking agents. The ratios of chicken manure feedstock to the three bulking agents were set at 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1, respectively. The compost mixture composed of wood chips (M) and feedstock (J) in a 1:1 ratio exhibited the highest temperature (75 °C). The treatment with a bulking-agent-to-feedstock ratio of 3:1 exhibited the lowest temperature (52 °C) and the longest high-temperature period (about 10 days). Moreover, the compost mixture composed of wood chips (M) and feedstock (J) in a 3:1 ratio exhibited the highest seed germination index (1.32), while the GI values for all cornmeal treatments did not meet the standard requirements (0.4). The predominant microorganisms in all three treatments included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. The total carbon transformation-related microorganism abundance in MJ31, SJ31, and YJ31 was 1.65%, 10.69%, and 3%, respectively. Further analysis showed that the bioavailability of feedstock was strongly correlated with compost maturity. The treatment with a bulking-agent-to-feedstock ratio of 3:1, with the highest GI, also exhibited the highest bioavailability. These results can guide the selection of the appropriate bulking agent and the optimal bulking-agent-to-feedstock ratio, offering a new direction for the optimization of the composting process.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411121

Authors: Paul Schmidhäuser Max Inhofer Annika Buchholz Franziska Mais Robert Miehe

Implementing sustainability strategies is essential for the future viability of companies. While companies have been focusing intensively on the operationalization of efficiency and consistency for quite some time, sufficiency approaches are rare. As a result, there is a lack of fundamental understanding of the concept, its inherent potential, as well as a lack of basic implementation concepts for strategies, management systems, and product and process development. Based on a literature review using Scopus and Web of Science according to the PRISMA approach, this paper develops a definition for the concept of industrial sufficiency and presents three general industrial sufficiency strategies (frugality, longevity, and specificity) regarding three distinct business determinants (product, production, and business model). The investigation shows that not only can there be overlaps between the three general sustainability strategies (efficiency, consistency, and sufficiency) but that individual measures are also mutually dependent at different levels. In addition, significant conflicts of objectives for implementation in industrial practice are revealed.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411118

Authors: Xiaohui Sun Zhijian Cai Chongyu Wang Jing Wang

This paper uses panel data from the 2014–2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to study the impact of digital inclusive finance (DIF) on the cultural consumption of urban and rural residents using two-way fixed effects. The results show that DIF can promote the growth of cultural consumption of urban and rural residents, and the promotion effect is greater for rural residents. Mechanism analysis shows that DIF increases the cultural consumption of urban and rural residents mainly through easing liquidity constraints, reducing precautionary savings, and increasing payment convenience. Moreover, reducing precautionary savings has a greater impact on the cultural consumption of urban residents, while the other two mechanisms have a greater impact on rural residents. In the heterogeneity analysis, credit business and some indicators reflecting the convenience of payment have a greater impact on rural residents. The insurance business has a greater impact on urban residents. This paper provides policy references for the development of DIF and the enhancement of residents’ cultural consumption.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411117

Authors: Kedron Thomas Hira Durrani Julia Brady Kendall Ludwig Michelle Yatvitskiy Abigail R. Clarke-Sather Huantian Cao Kelly Cobb

The negative environmental impacts of the current linear system of textile and apparel production are well-documented and require urgent action. The sector lacks an effective recycling system, resulting in massive waste and environmental pollution. This paper presents the results of qualitative research involving textile and apparel industry stakeholders, including representatives from brands and retailers, waste collectors, recyclers, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies. Our research focused on stakeholder perceptions of the significance and importance of textile circularity, the challenges that exist for transitioning the textile and apparel industry from a linear system to a circular economy (CE), and resources that exist to support this transition. The results of this study call attention to the following urgent requirements: a consistent definition of CE to promote transparency and accountability and prevent greenwashing; improved systems for materials identification, sorting, and pre-processing of post-consumer textile waste to enable recycling; innovations in mechanical recycling technologies to maintain the value of recycled materials; and new, materials-driven approaches to design and manufacturing that are responsive to feedstock variability and diverse consumer needs. The research findings also suggest the need for flexible, regional CEs that are rooted in community partnerships.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411116

Authors: Husnain Haider Arshad Jamal Meshal Almoshaogeh Fawaz Alharbi

The convenience of commuting for individuals using mobility aids (IMAs) depends on various features of urban road infrastructure. The present research selected different pathways based on the relevance and convenience of IMAs in three regions of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail. A survey questionnaire was developed to evaluate the satisfaction of IMAs with four critical criteria of road infrastructure, including travel distance, slope, availability of footpaths, and number of junctions, using a 5-point Likert scale from very low to very high. A sufficient sample size of this exceptional proportion of the population from different genders, age groups, education levels, employment status, number of disability years, and types of mobility aid participated in the survey. The main reasons for dissatisfaction of more than 50% of the participants were inadequate infrastructure design of entrances to public facilities, pedestrian crossings, and junctions. Social stigma and inadequate assistive technology were also highlighted by around 20% of the participants. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation identified length, slope, and footpaths along the pathway as the most critical features based on the subjective opinion of the participants, of which around 65% have been using artificial limbs or manual wheelchairs. PROMETHEE II aggregated the importance of weights estimated by the participants’ opinion and performance scores of infrastructure features to effectively rank ten pathways in three major cities of the selected regions, using partial and complete outranking. The framework developed in the present study helps concerned organizations to comply with the Vision 2030 goal of a vibrant society in Saudi Arabia by identifying critical pathways and improving infrastructure design to ensure safety, convenience, and satisfaction for IMAs.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411115

Authors: Run Sun Kun Yang Zongqi Peng Meie Pan Danni Su Mingfeng Zhang Lusha Ma Jingcong Ma Tao Li

China’s transportation carbon emissions account for 10% of the total, with nearly 90% originating from road transport. Additionally, China is the world’s largest automotive demand market. Therefore, in the context of achieving the “dual carbon” goals, the promotion and application of new energy vehicles (NEVs) are particularly crucial. However, the current situation regarding the promotion trends and driving mechanisms of NEVs in China remains unclear. Therefore, this study, based on panel data, explores the spatial-temporal evolution of NEV sales in China from 2016 to 2022 through spatial analysis. Simultaneously, based on correlation analysis and geographical detectors, this study qualitatively and quantitatively investigates the driving factors of NEV sales in China. The results show that: (1) China’s NEV sales will increase by 5.7 million units in the seven years from 2016 to 2022, which is an extremely fast growth rate; (2) There are significant spatial-temporal heterogeneities in the sales of NEVs in China. Sales in the eastern region constitute the largest share among the four major economic regions, accounting for 61% by 2022. The northeastern region has the lowest sales, representing only 2.9% of the national total. (3) Among different provinces, the sales in coastal provinces such as Guangdong, ZheJiang, and Jiangsu are much higher than in inland provinces like Tibet and QingHai. (4) The contribution rates of driving factors vary across regions. Overall, however, the order of influence factors is as follows: road length (0.49) > proportion of the tertiary industry (0.48) > road area (0.40). Therefore, infrastructure is identified as the primary influencing factor for the promotion of NEV. This study has revealed the spatial-temporal evolution of NEV sales and their driving mechanisms, aiming to provide theoretical support for the promotion of NEVs in China.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411114

Authors: Qiong Liu Cuiying Zhu

As global sustainable development goals progress, improving the welfare of vulnerable rural populations has become a critical issue for many countries. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2014 to 2022, this paper examines the impact of Digital Rural Construction (DRC) on the welfare of disadvantaged rural children. Specifically, it explores the mechanisms through which DRC enhances child welfare, focusing on information access, educational resource availability, and medical service accessibility. Additionally, the roles of government and non-governmental organizations in moderating this process are analyzed. The findings show that DRC significantly improves children’s health, education, and psychological well-being. Furthermore, interventions by governments and non-governmental organizations amplify these positive effects, with non-governmental interventions proving particularly effective. This study not only addresses a gap in the literature on the mechanisms linking DRC and child welfare but also offers valuable insights for policymakers from a sustainability perspective.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411113

Authors: Alif Layla Bablee Abul Bashar Md. Mehedi Alam Neaz A. Hasan Mohammad Mahfujul Haque Lars Hestbjerg Hansen Niels O. G. Jørgensen

Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming in Bangladesh began in the 1970s and has become a significant export industry. Despite its potential, there are concerns about the environmental sustainability of prawn farming due to its high greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, but implementation of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) may help minimize the GHG emission. A key element in IMTA is using plants to take up inorganic nutrients released by the prawns, producing valuable plant products and cleaning the water. Using a quadrat sampling method, we conducted a field study in combined prawn and shrimp ponds, aquaculture fishponds, and non-aquaculture waters in south- west Bangladesh to characterize plant diversity and identify suitable species for IMTA in prawn farms. A total of 38 plant species were identified with densities ranging from 4.5–6.1 plants/m2 in the aquaculture ponds to 11.6–17.1 plants/m2 in the prawn/shrimp and the non-aquaculture ponds. Free-floating plants were the most abundant, followed by emergent, floating anchored, and submerged plants. Most plants have commercial values as food, fodder, fish feed, fertilizer, or medicines to local people. Our results suggest that species within the Oxalis, Ipomoea, Azolla, and Lemna genera are suitable extractive aquatic plants for the implementation of IMTA in prawn farms and may improve the sustainability of prawn production.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411112

Authors: Ke Zhou Ziji Zhao Lin Xia Jinghua Wu

This paper proposes a novel time-varying discrete grey model (TVDGM(1,1)) to precisely forecast solar energy generation in the United States. First, the model utilizes the anti-forgetting curve as the weight function for the accumulation of the original sequence, which effectively ensures the prioritization of new information within the model. Second, the time response function of the model is derived through mathematical induction, which effectively addresses the common jump errors encountered when transitioning from difference equations to differential equations in traditional grey models. Research shows that compared to seven other methods, this model achieves better predictive performance, with an error rate of only 2.95%. Finally, this method is applied to forecast future solar energy generation in the United States, and the results indicate an average annual growth rate of 23.67% from 2024 to 2030. This study advances grey modeling techniques using a novel time-varying approach while providing critical technical and data support for energy planning.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411111

Authors: Kamran Foroutan Farshid Torabi

The research examines the impact of nonlinear energy sinks (NES) on the reduction in the nonlinear vibratory responses of eccentrically stiffened functionally graded (ESFG) panels exposed to hydrodynamic loads. To simulate real marine environments, hydrodynamic forces, such as lift and drag that change with velocity, have already been determined experimentally using Matveev’s equations for a particular ship. The material composition of both the panel and the stiffeners varies across their thickness. The stiffeners are modeled using Lekhnitskii’s smeared stiffener approach. Additionally, analytical approaches implement the classical shell theory (CST) with considerations for geometric nonlinearity, along with the Galerkin method for calculations. The P-T method is subsequently employed to determine the nonlinear vibratory behavior of ESFG panels. In this method, the piecewise constant argument is used jointly with the Taylor series expansion, which is why it is named the P-T method. The findings reveal that NES can effectively dissipate vibrational energy, contributing to the extended service life of marine structures while reducing the need for frequent maintenance. This study supports sustainability objectives by increasing energy efficiency, lessening structural fatigue, and improving the overall environmental impact of marine vessels and infrastructure.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411110

Authors: Jinfang Liu Yi Zhang Heng Luo Xinxin Zhang Wei Li

Faced with a shortage of college graduates with STEM degrees, many countries are seeking ways to attract more high school students to pursue STEM majors after graduation. This study aims to promote the sustainability of high school students in STEM fields by analyzing the effects of digital competence on the STEM major intentions of high school students. The survey collected data from 2415 participants comprising 1230 females and 1185 males from 16 high schools in China. Using hierarchical logistic regression, the study found that digital competence had significant positive effects on high school students’ STEM major intention. Also, computational thinking was the strongest predictor among the four areas of digital competence. Moreover, latent profile analysis identified two profiles of male students and four profiles of female students. Among male students, advanced male users had the strongest STEM major intention; among female students, low-level female novices had the weakest STEM major intention. Thus, digital competence can be considered an effective way to bridge the gender gap in STEM major selection. Based on the findings, strategies are discussed for improving high school students’ STEM major intentions and promoting digital competence, thereby ensuring the sustainable development of students in STEM fields in the digital era.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411109

Authors: Hua Li Wei Zhao Weijun Wang Yifan Zhang Qin Zhang

Two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals highlight that energy supply, conversion, transmission, and consumption are primary contributors to climate change, accounting for 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Exploring the influencing factors on the intention and behavior of clean energy use in rural areas is a crucial step in achieving the “Dual Carbon” target and global sustainable development goals. The article constructed a theoretical analysis framework of “environmental knowledge—perceived value—use intention—use behavior”. Taking Gansu Province, a typical case area in northwest China, as a case study, data from 766 survey questionnaires were used to analyze the characteristics and impact mechanism of clean energy use behavior among residents. This article finds that rural household energy use is moving towards low-carbon goals, but traditional energy remains an important component, especially in winter heating scenarios. Only the use intention has a direct promoting effect on use behavior, with a regression coefficient of 0.108. Perceived value and use intention play a chain-mediating role between environmental knowledge and use behavior. Residents with higher income levels, higher education levels, and poorer health conditions are more likely to develop clean energy use intention and behavior. At the same time, government intervention measures also have a promoting effect. Finally, countermeasures and suggestions for improving the public’s level of clean energy utilization in underdeveloped areas were proposed.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411108

Authors: Nurul S. Samsuden Umar H. A. Kohar Saleh F. A. Khatib Alhamzah F. Abbas

The purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of digital capabilities (DC) by examining various attributes and integrating findings from previous studies on the impact of DC on business performance (BP) using the balanced scorecard approach. This study employs qualitative methodologies to systematically review the literature, focusing on 131 studies from the Scopus database, categorizing research gaps, DC attributes, and the influence of DC on BP, and presenting these findings as a consolidated categorization alongside a future direction framework. The findings indicate that DC significantly impacts internal processes (BP2), enhancing firms’ ability to integrate value chains, improve efficiency, and add cost competitiveness to innovation. This influence on BP2 also interrelates with financial performance (BP1), where internal efficiency benefits economic outcomes. However, gaps exist in understanding DC’s effect on customer-related aspects, and findings vary across firm types, industries, and countries. The study identifies three key DC attributes: digital technology, digital agility, and digital marketing capabilities. To the author’s knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive evaluation of DC attributes relevant at the business level, providing a criterion-based view of DC’s impact on BP and contributing to broader research on business strategies.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411106

Authors: Mahdiyar Mokhlespour Esfahani Mostafa Khanzadi Sogand Hasanzadeh Alireza Moradi Igor Martek Saeed Banihashemi

An organization’s success depends on its ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. Superintendents play a critical role in overseeing project sites in the construction industry and can adapt to the increasingly complicated requirements of modern construction projects. This study examines traditional and modern personnel selection methods to determine effective tactics, essential competencies, and emerging trends regarding supervisory personnel. The research methodology follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. First, this study examines traditional and modern selection methods used by organizations and engineering firms to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic and assist in selecting appropriate staff recruitment procedures. Second, the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were reviewed to identify superintendent selection approaches and competencies, over the period January 2000 to September 2024. A total of 22 relevant papers were analyzed. Superintendent selection processes included questionnaires (57%), interviews (26%), literature reviews (14%), and data-driven AI tools (3%). Forty competency criteria were identified, with the top five being knowledge, communication skills, leadership, health and safety expertise, and commitment. As a result, novel approaches employing Industry 4.0 technologies, including virtual reality (VR), wearable sensing devices (WSDs), natural language processing (NLP), blockchain, and computer vision, are recommended. These findings support a better understanding of how best to identify the most qualified supervisory personnel and provides enhanced methods for evaluating job applicants.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411101

Authors: Brenda-Andreea Piuaru Bianca Tescașiu Gheorghe Epuran Mihaela Hrisanta Mosora Ioana Simona Ivasciuc

The European Funds market is a key mechanism for fostering regional development and economic growth within the European Union, yet its efficiency can be undermined by information asymmetry, which complicates fund absorption processes. This paper investigates the European Funds market and explores how adverse selection and moral hazard impact the dynamics of the fund allocation. Through qualitative research, the authors assess the European Funds market, identify its key stakeholders, and explore factors influencing funds absorption. Findings reveal complex interactions among European Union institutions, managing authorities, beneficiaries, and consultants. The research highlights economic, administrative, institutional, and social factors that affect fund absorption rates and pinpoint adverse selection and moral hazard as primary consequences of information asymmetry in the European Funds market. By emphasizing the importance of effective communication processes and describing the experiences of various actors in European-funded projects, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. This paper offers a new perspective on the European Funds market and links information asymmetry to inefficiencies in fund allocation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the European Funds market, fostering transparency, enhancing institutional capacities, and promoting sustainability in the governance of public funds.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411107

Authors: Bingfeng Huang Wei Hong Kun Shao Heng Wu

With the increasing global concern for environmental protection and sustainable resource utilization, sustainable engine performance has become the focus of research. This study conducts a sensitivity analysis of the key parameters affecting the performance of sustainable engines, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the optimal design and operation of engines to promote the sustainable development of the transportation industry. The performance of an engine is essentially determined by the combustion process, which in turn depends on the fuel characteristics and the work cycle mode suitability of the technical architecture of the engine itself (oil-engine synergy). Currently, there is a lack of theoretical support and means of reference for the sensitivity analysis of the core parameters of oil–engine synergy. Recognizing the problems of unclear methods of defining sensitivity parameters, unclear influence mechanisms, and imperfect model construction, this paper proposes an evaluation method system composed of oil–engine synergistic sensitivity factor determination and quantitative analysis of contribution. The system contains characteristic data acquisition, model construction and research, and sensitivity analysis and application. In this paper, a hierarchical SVM regression model is constructed, with fuel physicochemical characteristics and engine control parameters as input variables, combustion process parameters as an intermediate layer, and diesel engine performance as output parameters. After substituting the characteristic data into the model, the following results were obtained, R2 > 0.9, MSE < 0.014, MAPE < 3.5%, indicating the model has high accuracy. On this basis, a sensitivity analysis was performed using the Sobol sensitivity analysis algorithm. It was concluded that the load parameters had the highest influence on the ID (ignition delay time), combustion duration (CD), and combustion temperature parameters of the combustion elements, reaching 0.24 and above. The influence weight of the main spray strategy was greater than that of the pre-injection strategy. For the sensitivity analysis of the premix ratio, the injection timing, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) rate, and load have significant influence weights on the premix ratio, while the influence weights of the other parameters are not more than 0.10. In addition, the combustion temperature among the combustion elements has the highest influence weights on the NOx, PM (particulate matter) concentration, and mass, as well as on the BTE (brake thermal efficiency) and BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption). The ID has the highest influence weight on HC and CO at 0.35. Analysis of the influence weights of the index parameters shows that the influence weights of the fuel physicochemical parameters are much lower than those of the engine control parameters, and the influence weights of the fuel CN (cetane number) are about 5% greater than those of the volatility, which is about 3%. From the analysis of the proportion of index parameters, the engine control parameter influence weights are in the following order: load > EGR > injection timing > injection pressure > pre-injection timing> pre-injection ratio.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411105

Authors: Gurcan Atakok Dudu Mertgenc Yoldas

Macroscopic structures consisting of two or more materials are called composites. The decreasing reserves of the world’s oil reserve and the environmental pollution of existing energy and production resources made the use of recycling methods inevitable. There are mechanical, thermal, and chemical recycling methods for the recycling of thermosets among composite materials. The recycling of thermoset composite materials economically saves resources and energy in the production of reinforcement and matrix materials. Due to the superior properties such as hardness, strength, lightness, corrosion resistance, design width, and the flexibility of epoxy/vinylester/polyester fibre formation composite materials combined with thermoset resin at the macro level, environmentally friendly sustainable development is happening with the increasing use of composite materials in many fields such as the maritime sector, space technology, wind energy, the manufacturing of medical devices, robot technology, the chemical industry, electrical electronic technology, the construction and building sector, the automotive sector, the defence industry, the aviation sector, the food and agriculture sector, and sports equipment manufacturing. Bonded joint studies in composite materials have generally been investigated at the level of a single composite material and single joint. The uncertainty of the long-term effects of different composite materials and environmental factors in single-lap bonded joints is an important obstacle in applications. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of single-lap bonded GFRP (glass fibre-reinforced polymer) and CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) specimens on the material at the end of seawater exposure. In this study, 0/90 orientation twill weave seven-ply GFRP and eight-ply CFRP composite materials were used in dry conditions (without seawater soaking) and the hand lay-up method. Seawater was taken from the Aegean Sea, İzmir province (Selçuk/Pamucak), in September at 23.5 °C. This seawater was kept in different containers in seawater for 1 month (30 days), 2 months (60 days), and 3 months (90 days) separately for GFRP and CFRP composite samples. They were cut according to ASTM D5868-01 for single-lap joint connections. Moisture retention percentages and axial impact tests were performed. Three-point bending tests were then performed according to ASTM D790. Damage to the material was examined with a ZEISS GEMINESEM 560 scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM was used to observe the interface properties and microstructure of the fracture surfaces of the composite samples by scanning images with a focused electron beam. Damage analysis imaging was performed on CFRP and GFRP specimens after sputtering with a gold compound. Moisture retention rates (%), axial impact tests, and three-point bending test specimens were kept in seawater with a seawater salinity of 3.3–3.7% and a seawater temperature of 23.5 °C for 1, 2, and 3 months. Moisture retention rates (%) are 0.66%, 3.43%, and 4.16% for GFRP single-lap bonded joints in a dry environment and joints kept for 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. In CFRP single-lap bonded joints, it is 0.57%, 0.86%, and 0.87%, respectively. As a result of axial impact tests, under a 30 J impact energy level, the fracture toughness of GFRP single-lap bonded joints kept in a dry environment and seawater for 1, 2, and 3 months are 4.6%, 9.1%, 14.7%, and 11.23%, respectively. At the 30 J impact energy level, the fracture toughness values of CFRP single-lap bonded joints in a dry environment and in seawater for 1, 2, and 3 months were 4.2%, 5.3%, 6.4%, and 6.1%, respectively. As a result of three-point bending tests, GFRP single-lap joints showed a 5.94%, 8.90%, and 12.98% decrease in Young’s modulus compared to dry joints kept in seawater for 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. CFRP single-lap joints showed that Young’s modulus decreased by 1.28%, 3.39%, and 3.74% compared to dry joints kept in seawater for 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. Comparing the GFRP and CFRP specimens formed by a single-lap bonded connection, the moisture retention percentages of GFRP specimens and the amount of energy absorbed in axial impact tests increased with the soaking time in seawater, while Young’s modulus was less in three-point bending tests, indicating that CFRP specimens have better mechanical properties.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411104

Authors: Filiz Mizrak Levent Polat Sezin Acik Tasar

This study presents a novel sustainability plan tailored for Istanbul Airport, leveraging advanced decision-making methodologies to address the urgent need for sustainable practices in aviation. By integrating the entropy weighting and 2-tuple linguistic T-spherical fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models, the study offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating and prioritizing sustainability criteria based on expert input from 12 professionals. The novelty of this research lies in its unique combination of advanced MCDM techniques with cutting-edge technologies, including IoT-enabled monitoring systems, digital twin models, blockchain-based sustainability reporting, and carbon capture initiatives, tailored specifically for large-scale airport operations. The study develops a phased implementation roadmap comprising three stages: (1) a short-term focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy infrastructure, achieving significant cost reductions within a 3–7.5-year payback period; (2) medium-term initiatives integrating IoT and digital twins to enhance operational efficiency; and (3) long-term measures incorporating carbon capture and blockchain for transparency and compliance. Key implementation steps include upgrading energy systems, deploying IoT sensors, creating digital replicas of airport infrastructure, and establishing regulatory and stakeholder collaboration frameworks. This research contributes a replicable framework for airports worldwide, bridging theoretical models with actionable solutions.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411103

Authors: Samuel Bimenyimana Chen Wang Godwin Norense Osarumwense Asemota Jean Marie Vianney Uwizerwa Jeanne Paula Ihirwe Mucyo Ndera Tuyizere Fidele Mwizerwa Yiyi Mo Martine Abiyese Homère Ishimwe Ange Melissa Ishimwe

The geographical distribution and scientific evaluation of wind energy potential are crucial for regional energy planning. Wind energy is a renewable energy that can mitigate climate change. Several open-access World Bank databases and the ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) Global were used to gather and process data through wind energy siting optimization in Fujian Province. This paper uses the fuzzy quantifiers of the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach in arc geographic information system (ArcGIS Pro) and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to handle the associated wind data uncertainties to obtain wind energy technology siting optimization for nine cities in Fujian Province. The converted database options and characteristics used the weighted overlay tool (WOT) to reflect the importance of wind farm project objectives. The sensitivity analysis tested the robustness and resilience of the integrated MCDM design for feasibility or viability. The results revealed that 21.743% of the area of Longyan City is suitable for siting wind energy. Other cities’ suitable areas comprise 14.117%, 12.800%, 5.250%, 4.621%, 4.020%, 4.020%, 3.430%, and 2.300%, respectively (Sanming, Ningde, Quanzhou, Putian, Zhangzhou, Nanping, Xiamen, and Fuzhou cities). Furthermore, a considerable amount of wind power is needed to supply the current primary energy deficit (60.0–84.0%) and satisfy the carbon emission reduction target. Wind farm installation in Fujian province is an opportunity to provide inexhaustible energy, generally affected by generation volume and operational span. Wind power is highly acceptable to local Chinese. Reasonably high understanding and excitement for wind farm investments exist among local authorities. Future research should consider wind data of the identified onshore optimization sites and design wind farms for the respective output power for pessimistic, average, and optimistic scenarios for possible wind farm development. Similarly, the long shoreline of about 1680.0 miles (or 2700.0 km) is a considerable source of offshore wind power prospecting, future research, and energy exploitation and harvesting opportunities.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411098

Authors: Marcin Suder Małgorzata Okręglicka Angelika Wodecka-Hyjek Mior Harris Mior Harun Paweł Kłobukowski Justyna Tora

Entrepreneurship is considered one of the key factors in facilitating a company’s pursuit of sustainable development. The findings of this study can help firms improve their entrepreneurial capacity and highlight its significance for sustainable development; therefore, the levels of entrepreneurship serve as indicators of the potentials of enterprises to achieve sustainable development goals. The existing literature has explored whether there are differences in the approaches between family and non-family firms as well as in their levels of entrepreneurship. Contributing to this ongoing debate, this article aims to compare the levels of entrepreneurship between these two types of companies in a selected small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. The analysis encompasses eight dimensions of entrepreneurship: risk-taking, innovativeness, proactiveness, inter-organizational cooperation, competitiveness, diversification, flexibility, and digitalization. This study was conducted on a sample of 145 small printing companies that operated in Poland in 2023. The results of the statistical analysis revealed that family firms exhibited a higher level of entrepreneurship when treated as a multidimensional construct. Moreover, family firms outperformed non-family firms across all of the analyzed dimensions, with statistically significant differences being observed in four dimensions: innovativeness, proactiveness, diversification, and competitiveness. This study confirmed the existing indications in the literature that family firms demonstrated higher levels of entrepreneurship, which may suggest their greater potential in pursuing sustainable development. The novelty of this research lies in its multidimensional approach, which offers a comprehensive analysis that integrates eight dimensions of entrepreneurship. This allowed for a deeper understanding of entrepreneurial behaviors and attitudes when highlighting the unique characteristics of family and non-family firms. The findings are particularly relevant for the owners and managers of family and non-family businesses; they provide tools for diagnosing entrepreneurship levels in a more comprehensive manner and applying tailored management practices for addressing areas that require improvement. One limitation of this study is its focus on a single sector; this may have affected the generalizability of the results. Future research could explore governance and ownership structures when analyzing entrepreneurial dimensions—particularly in the context of family firms.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411102

Authors: Valdemar João Wesz Junior Simone Piras Catia Grisa Stefano Ghinoi

Brazil is one of the main agricultural producers in the world, and its agri-food system has been experiencing concentration and intensification. Since the beginning of the 1990s, the Brazilian government has implemented different interventions to support family agriculture, such as the National Programme for Strengthening Family Farming (PRONAF), the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Programme (ATER), and different seed distribution programs. Despite the social and economic relevance of these programs, there is a lack of quantitative studies investigating their impact on the resilience of family farms, primarily the promotion of commercialization. We aim to fill this gap by applying propensity score matching techniques to household-level data from the 2014 Brazilian National Household Sample Survey. Only this survey has recorded this type of information to date. We compare the commercialization behavior of policy recipients with that of non-recipients, accounting for interaction effects between different policies. Our results show that PRONAF has had a significant positive impact on family farmers’ propensity to engage in commercialization, and the effect increases if they also have access to technical assistance. Technical assistance alone has a positive effect, while seed distribution appears not to make a significant difference. Our results suggest that an appropriate policy mix can increase the resilience of family farms in emerging countries.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411100

Authors: Yujie Hu Yanlei Gao Xiudong Wang

Innovation is a key driver of high-quality economic development. Building strong relationships between central and local financial authorities, with a clear division of powers and responsibilities and well-coordinated fiscal resources, is both practical and significant. Such collaboration enhances the government’s ability to support scientific and technological innovation, leading to improved outcomes. In this study, multiple mechanisms of fiscal decentralization and government innovation investment in regional innovation were explored based on Chinese-style fiscal decentralization, the theory of fiscal decentralization, and the innovation system. Provincial panel data from 2008 to 2021 were used to examine both the direct effect of fiscal decentralization and the mediating effect of government innovation investment on regional innovation. The results show that fiscal decentralization distorts the government’s fiscal expenditure behavior, significantly inhibiting regional innovation enhancement. The results of a mechanism analysis demonstrate that fiscal decentralization weakens the government’s support and guidance for scientific and technological innovation, but increasing innovation investment can offset this effect and enhance the regional innovation level. Overall, fiscal decentralization negatively affects regional innovation by inhibiting the government’s innovation investment. To address these challenges, the fiscal system requires deeper reform, adjusting the relationship between central and local governments. Additional measures should include improving the government’s performance appraisal system, guiding local authorities to adopt appropriate performance perspectives, increasing fiscal expenditure and the government’s role in scientific and technological innovation, and enhancing independent scientific and technological innovation.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411099

Authors: Xinwei Li Xingzhou Zhang Yuanyuan Yang Yingying Li Lujie Jia Yangjun Chen

Reservoirs are hotspots for emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide; however, the nitrite cycling processes associated with nitrous oxide production therein remain poorly understood, limiting a better assessment of the potential for reservoirs to emit nitrous oxide. Accordingly, this study presents the application of the natural abundance isotope technique combined with a geochemical model to elucidate the nitrite cycling in the freshwater aquaculture and non-aquaculture zones of a large artificial reservoir in eastern China. We employed nitrite dual isotopes to identify nitrite transformation processes. Additionally, a steady-state model was used to estimate the rates of these processes as well as the residence time of nitrite. Our findings indicate that nitrite production in this reservoir may be primarily driven by ammonia oxidation. However, the pathways of nitrite removal differ notably between the aquaculture and non-aquaculture zones, suggesting a significant impact of the aquaculture activities. The steady-state model calculations revealed that nitrification may be more pronounced in the aquaculture zones compared to the non-aquaculture zones, which may be related to the altered balance of competition for substrates between phytoplankton and microbes induced by aquaculture activities. Moreover, we observed a latitude-dependent increase in the significance of nitrite oxidation in natural environments, highlighting potential implications for regional and global nitrogen cycling. Our study highlights the complexity of the nitrite cycle and emphasizes the roles of both natural and anthropogenic factors in shaping nitrogen dynamics within freshwater reservoirs. This understanding contributes to a more accurate assessment of the greenhouse gas emission potential of reservoirs, offering valuable implications for the adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices to mitigate climate impacts and support global sustainable development goals.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411092

Authors: Lei Yang Guangtao Lu Tao Wang

The flow and heat transfer of the coolant directly affect the cooling performance, thermal load, and emissions of gasoline engine. The accurate estimation of heat transfer and temperature distribution within engines is crucial for studying thermal stresses and calculating engine performance. This study focuses on the design of a new cooling water jacket structure for a two-cylinder gasoline engine. In the novel structure, the coolant flows from the cylinder block to the cylinder head and then returns to the cylinder block, providing better cooling for the cylinder head. The three-dimensional simulation results show that the overall flow velocity of this structure ranges between 0.1 m/s and 3 m/s, which meets the design requirement of 0.1 m/s to 5 m/s. However, there are still some flow dead zones in this structure, which may lead to insufficient heat transfer. Therefore, the water jacket structure is further optimized. After optimization, the pressure drop between the inlet and outlet is decreased, and the velocity distribution becomes more rational. Both the flow velocity and the heat transfer coefficient meet the design targets. These results can provide theoretical guidance for the structural improvement of the water jacket and approaches to studying the flow characteristics of the coolants.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411094

Authors: Arlene K. Ditchfield Philip D. Kerrison Alison Mair George Hurst David H. Green Michele S. Stanley Jeffrey Fedenko Adam D. Hughes

Ensiling is a promising low-cost preservation approach that allows for a year-round supply of kelp feedstock for biofuel production via anaerobic digestion. In this study, farm-grown kelps of known age were ensiled with and without the addition of lactic acid bacterial (LAB) inoculant for a duration of up to one year in order to test long-term storage suitability. The study looked at the impacts of different bacterial inoculums on the chemical and microbial composition over the duration of storage. Significant fluctuations in the pH were observed during ensiling, leading to some cases of secondary fermentation and a loss of volatile components; however, over 12 months, the total mass loss was <2% on average. Biochemical compositional changes occurred in the silage over a period of 12 months, but protein, lipid and carbohydrate content remained suitable for biogas production. Microbial analysis showed variability in the bacterial distribution between the ensiled samples that was coincident with pH variability. Despite this variability, the bacterial communities underwent a succession with a selection for ensilage bacteria and drop in spoilage organisms. This shift supports the viability of this ensiled material for future usage. The impact of ensiling on bioenergy production through anaerobic digestion is explored in the second part of this two-part paper.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411088

Authors: Sónia Matos Ana Moura Arroz Bruna Martins Isabel R. Amorim Rosalina Gabriel

The growing interest in innovative pedagogies within education for sustainable development (ESD) calls for a renewed set of pedagogical practices. In responding to this challenge, this article draws on backcasting, a future studies method, to support education for ESD competencies among youths. It presents the design, trial, and results of one intervention designed to test the method in the context of secondary education, employing design thinking as an overarching methodology. Using a qualitative descriptive-interpretative approach with a thematic analysis to examine empirical data obtained from participants’ perspectives, we present their future visions, how much they were involved in the intervention, what they liked the most and the least, their perceived purpose, ease and adequacy in duration. Our findings show that youths embrace active methodologies such as backcasting. Since the method was new to them, participants experienced difficulties when logically chaining the steps necessary to achieve a desired future from the present state. Nonetheless, the skills underpinning backcasting are relevant to sustainable development, as they involve considering our actions regarding medium- and long-term impacts. In the end, we propose backcasting as a poignant method in the context of secondary education that can promote the development of hypothetical and critical thinking skills central to ESD competencies. While offering a theoretical discussion, a workshop protocol, and future directions for pedagogical practice and investigation, our results apply to researchers, sustainability education professionals, and teachers alike.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411096

Authors: Jian Zhang Linxuan Huang Qiang Gao Hejie Ding Zhe Ren Chuanxiao Liu Guangtan Cheng Duohua Wu

Conducting a reasonable assessment of whether the durability and bearing capacity of concrete used in existing bridge pile foundations can meet all requirements is an important prerequisite for ensuring the reuse of existing bridge pile foundations. With this in mind, this study evaluates the project of the Beijing–Taibei Highway in Shandong Province that must be restored and enlarged. Using static load and concrete durability testing methods, the bearing capacity characteristics and durability of seven existing bridge pile foundations were investigated. Using attribute identification theory, a systematic technique for determining the reuse value of existing piles is proposed. The test examination findings demonstrate that the change curve corresponding to the pile foundation’s ultimate bearing capacity matches the concrete compressive strength curve. The pile foundations had lower ultimate bearing capacity than average. The concrete compressive strengths of the three test piles were 18%, 16.3%, and 17.5% lower than the average compressive strengths of the seven test piles. A comprehensive durability evaluation method for assessing existing piles can effectively evaluate the reuse value of existing piles and promote sustainable highway reconstruction and expansion projects.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411091

Authors: Roberto Miranda Borges Guilherme Sgobbi Zagui Ricardo Bortoletto-Santos Isadora Alves Lovo Ismail Marcelo Tramontin Souza Lisandro Simão Edilson Carlos Carita

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been a significant concern for governments, ecologists, and the Ministry of the Environment. Studies show a growing increase in the generation of WEEE in Brazil and around the world. In a 2024 report by The Global E-Waste Monitor, Brazil was identified as the largest generator of WEEE in South America, ranking second in the Americas, only behind the United States. Given this scenario, sustainability practices and actions are necessary to minimize the incorrect disposal of WEEE. Considering the need to provide innovative tools to support the teaching–learning process, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) invest heavily in technology acquisition and, as a result, are increasingly concerned about equipment disposal when it no longer meets its purchased needs. This study aims to develop guidelines for implementing WEEE management policies to guide the correct disposal of these materials in HEIs. This study made it possible to visualize how important technology is for business continuity and highlight employees’ ecological awareness when disposing of unserviceable electronic equipment. The results of this study made it possible to present comparative data on the generation of WEEE, which served as a basis for drawing up guidelines to support HEIs in improving WEEE management and emphasized the importance of environmental awareness and responsibility.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411093

Authors: Mariusz Lewandowski Adam Góralczyk Waldemar Janicki

The work presented in this article concerns numerical studies on optimization methods used for the sustainable utilization of the energy potential of water, converting it into electricity in a hydropower plant equipped with more than one unit. These methods allow for maximization of production in given hydrological conditions, leading to the balanced, lossless, and environmentally friendly use of the renewable energy source that is water. Methods are selected from three groups, i.e., analytical, enumeration, and randomized. The results of calculations of optimal points of selected test functions carried out using the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno Limited-Memory Version (L-BFGS-B), Explicit Complete Enumeration (ECE), and Genetic Algorithm (GA) methods provided basic information on the features of these methods. Based on these tests, the GA method was selected to solve the problem of the optimal load distribution in a hydropower plant equipped with three identical hydro units. The defined optimization problem consisted of finding a configuration of hydro units in operation that would guarantee the maximum efficiency of the power plant under the imposed hydrological conditions. During the numerical studies, a number of calculations were performed to identify the impact of procedures and parameters characteristic of the optimization methods on the obtained results. Particular attention was paid to the GA method and penalty functions, enabling the elimination of results from the area of prohibited solutions.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411097

Authors: Ruixiang Zhou Yoshinao Oeda

A decrease in group travel and increase in individual and family travel has led to the diversification of travel demand needs in Japan. In Japan, railways and airlines are the main competitors of personal vehicles for mid- and long-distance travel. The use of a personal vehicle can better meet diverse travel needs by offering greater flexibility; moreover, the development of motorization and the improvement of road networks have placed vehicles in a leading position among mode choices for tourism purposes. At present, Level 3 autonomous driving on expressways has become technically feasible; hence, a mode shift from public transportation to automated vehicles is anticipated because of the reduction in driving fatigue and inherent advantage in terms of greater flexibility conferred by autonomous driving. This shift could contribute to more sustainable travel patterns by optimizing route planning and reducing congestion through more efficient vehicle operations. In this study, a survey was conducted on tourism travel to Kagoshima Prefecture. The collected data were used to construct tourist behavior models, including a mid- and long-distance mode choice model that considers driving fatigue and a tourist attraction visit duration model based on a random utility model. The validity of the model is corroborated by statistical tests showing high goodness-of-fit to the observed data. The results of this model forecast a change in the modal share after the introduction of automated vehicles, with a focus on reducing driving fatigue. These predictions can contribute to the development of future transportation policies and the promotion of tourism.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411095

Authors: Wuxin Zhang Haiying Pan

Haze pollution control is integral to green development, and fiscal and taxation policies are fundamental mechanisms supporting this effort. This study leverages the implementation of China’s Environmental Protection Tax (EPT) Law as a quasi-natural experiment to assess the impact and mechanisms of the greening of the tax system on haze pollution based on panel data from 281 prefecture-level cities in China from 2012 to 2021. The findings indicate that (1) the implementation of the EPT Law significantly reduces haze pollution, with results confirmed after a series of robustness tests; (2) the EPT Law controls haze pollution through promoting cleaner industrial structure, fostering green technological innovation, and strengthening the rigidity of environmental law enforcement; (3) fiscal decentralization enhances the inhibitory effect of the implementation of the EPT Law on haze pollution; (4) the haze-reduction effect of the EPT Law is especially notable in non-old industrial bases, areas with less pressure on officials’ promotions, and areas with higher public environmental awareness. This study not only enriches research on the policy effects of the EPT Law but also contributes to the environmental sustainable development goal of greening the tax system and continuously fighting for blue skies.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411087

Authors: Zhiqiang Xie Dongya Han Jiangteng Li Kaihui Li

As a renewable and green energy source, geothermal energy holds tremendous developmental value. Hydraulic fracturing plays a significant role in enhancing geothermal energy extraction by improving reservoir permeability and creating pathways for fluid flow. Previous reviews have primarily focused on specific aspects of hydraulic fracturing, such as fracturing processes, cyclic hydraulic fracturing, and sustainability metrics, without comprehensively addressing the gaps in experimental and modeling approaches under real geothermal conditions. This work aims to bridge these gaps by summarizing the current studies on hydraulic fracturing methods, examining critical factors such as loading scheme, injection fluid, and rate, identifying limitations, and proposing potential solutions. Key findings reveal that rock temperature, sample size, and confining pressure significantly influence fracture propagation. However, laboratory experiments often fail to replicate field-scale conditions, particularly for temperatures exceeding 200 °C and for large rock samples. Numerical and theoretical models, although insightful, require further validation through experimental data. To address these limitations, this study suggests potential approaches suitable for hydraulic fracturing under real-world conditions, such as ultra-high-temperature, high-stress environments, and large-scale experiments, which are critical for advancing geothermal systems. This work can serve as a foundation for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of geothermal energy extraction through hydraulic fracturing.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411090

Authors: Miriam Jankalová Radoslav Jankal

The initial studies that connected accounting and sustainability concentrated on the shortcomings of traditional accounting as well as the boundaries of the underlying accounting philosophy, which typically emphasizes monetary, quantitative measures of corporate economic activity. Some authors believe that accounting has sought to respond to sustainable development in a variety of ways. This raises the question of the relationship between accounting and sustainability and the role of accounting in sustainability. The aim of the paper is to identify different ways of linking accounting with sustainability and to determine the contribution of the accounting profession to sustainable development. This study is based on information that was gathered through an extensive literature review (research publications and research studies [documents]) using internet and research databases and the authors’ own experience. Methods of analysis, comparison, selection, abstraction, induction, deduction, determination, and statistics were used. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. The identified correlation between “accountant” and sustainability, reporting, sustainable development, and responsibility highlights the importance of the accounting profession in promoting sustainability and fostering responsible practices. Also, a correlation between accountants and artificial intelligence was identified.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411089

Authors: Just Tomàs Bayle-Sempere Aitor Forcada-Almarcha Pablo Sánchez-Jerez Mireille L. Harmelin-Vivien Laurence Le Diréach Eric Charbonnel José Antonio García-Charton Denis Ody Olga Reñones Carlos Valle Ángel Pérez-Ruzafa

The aim of this paper is to provide evidence of the species-specific export of adult fishes for some species or group of species from six well-enforced Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs): Cerbère-Banyuls and Carry-le-Rouet in France and Medes, Cabrera, Tabarca, and Cabo de Palos in Spain. We estimated the distance at which spillover of those individual or groups of species occur by directly assessing the existence of gradients of biomass across the MPA boundaries by means of underwater visual census, asuming that such gradients will be specifics in terms of structure (sharpness, slope, and intercept) for every species and group of species. A significant “reserve effect” was observed for biomass of some of the individual and grouped species in all MPAs. Decreasing gradients of biomass differ among taxons and are not related with the insular nature of the location. Different gradients of biomass resulted from the interaction between species characteristics and some ecological and structural drivers, and we did not find regular patterns for each taxa among MPAs, even though the same species can exhibit different gradient structure and/or spillover distances in the same MPA depending on the orientation. Habitat patch distribution and continuity seems the most important environmental factor explaining the existence and pattern of gradients at species level, interacting with fish home range and fishing pressure close to the limits of the MPAs. Managers should take in account the surrounding distribution of habitats in terms of complexity and quality in order to optimize the spillover capacity of the MPAs.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411086

Authors: Andreea-Mihaela Niculae Simona-Vasilica Oprea Alin-Gabriel Văduva Adela Bâra Anca-Ioana Andreescu

Climate change is an aspect in our lives that presents urgent challenges requiring innovative approaches and collaborative efforts across diverse fields. Our research investigates the growth and thematic structure of the intersection between climate change research and machine learning (ML). Employing a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed 7521 open-access publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (2004–2024), leveraging both R and Python for data processing and advanced statistical analysis. The results reveal a striking 37.39% annual growth in publications, indicating the rapidly expanding and increasingly significant role of ML in climate research. This growth is accompanied by increased international collaborations, highlighting a global effort to address this urgent challenge. Our approach integrates bibliometrics, text mining (including word clouds, knowledge graphs with Node2Vec and K-Means, factorial analysis, thematic map, and topic modeling via Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA)), and visualization techniques to uncover key trends and themes. Thematic analysis using LDA revealed seven key topic areas, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of this research field: hydrology, agriculture, biodiversity, forestry, oceanography, forecasts, and models. These findings contribute to an in-depth understanding of this rapidly evolving area and inform future research directions and resource allocation strategies by identifying both established and emerging research themes along with areas requiring further investigation.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411085

Authors: Patricia Elena Ciocoiu Ioana Simona Ivasciuc Ana Ispas

In the era of online accommodation reviews, understanding the consumer mind is essential for the hospitality industry. This study seeks to profile consumers based on their reservation decisions made after reviewing online feedback and to explore the complex relationship between consumer perceptions and their decision-making processes. To lay a solid foundation for this research, a thorough bibliometric analysis was conducted to map the existing literature and identify key trends in the field. Data were collected using a non-probability convenience sampling method through an online survey targeting Romanian residents. Performing a hierarchical cluster analysis, followed by a K-means cluster analysis, distinct consumer segments with varying levels of trust and responsiveness were identified. The four primary clusters are Young Risk-Averse Planners, Trust-Oriented Quality Seekers, Skeptical Detail Seekers and Independent Value Seekers. Each segment displayed unique preferences regarding the types of reviews they value and their influence on booking decisions. These findings highlight the need for hotel managers and marketers to develop tailored strategies that cater to the diverse needs of consumers, enhancing service delivery and promoting sustainable tourism practices. This research provides valuable insights into the dynamics of online reviews and stresses the importance of understanding consumer perceptions in navigating the complexities of today’s hospitality industry.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411084

Authors: Xiangmei Chen Yongqiang Ren Chi Li Yan Shang Rui Ji De Yao Yingchun He

A comprehensive investigation into sustainable agriculture and environmental health was conducted in the Baotou region, encompassing analyses of 90 vegetable samples across 12 varieties and their corresponding rhizosphere soil samples. The physical and chemical properties of the soil, along with the content and chemical speciations of heavy metals, were studied. Results indicated that the study area soil is alkaline to strongly alkaline, with significant heterogeneity in the organic carbon and phosphorus contents, affecting the uptake of heavy metals by these vegetables. The balance of Ca, K, Mg, and P is crucial for soil nutrient equilibrium and reducing heavy metal uptake. The heavy metal contents in the twelve vegetables were below the national food contaminant limit values, with notable accumulations of Cd, Zn, Cu, and Hg. There was a curvilinear correlation between the rhizosphere soil and vegetable contents of Cd and Hg, but differences in uptake were observed. Cd, Zn, Cu, and Hg contents in vegetables were significant, correlating curvilinearly with soil heavy metal content. Soil chemical forms influenced bioavailability, with Cd exhibiting the highest bioactivity. Thus, element migration variations in vegetables reflect the combined influence of the soil’s physical and chemical properties, heavy metal content, and chemical forms. This study validates food safety protocols and soil management practices. Results demonstrate key relationships between soil properties, metal behavior, and plant uptake, enabling targeted solutions for heavy metal contamination and soil remediation. Findings advance sustainable agriculture while protecting ecosystems and food security.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411083

Authors: Eduardo Rebolledo Monsalve Lita Verduga Felipe Hurtado Ferreira

Mangrove sediments serve as paleoenvironmental records of organic matter and nutrient accumulation. Ecuador, the world’s largest producer of whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei in brackish waters, lost 43% of its continental mangroves between 1969 and 1999. Currently, more than 70,000 hectares of shrimp farms operate in estuaries with mangroves and within mangrove reserves. Variations in mangrove coverage and the extent of shrimp farms are described for the period 1996–2020 for two mangrove reserves, REMACAM and RVSMERM, with an observed increase in the extent of shrimp farms in both reserves. Four sediment cores obtained from mangrove drains and drains transformed into shrimp farm infrastructures were analyzed to observe the impact of this activity on the cumulative changes in total organic carbon (TOC) content and total nitrogen (TN) content, the fractionation of stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N, as well as the TOC/TN ratio. The mangrove drains in REMACAM had 3.8 times more TOC and 2.3 times more TN than drains transformed into shrimp farms in RVSMERM, with lower TOC/TN ratios. The organic matter in sediments from sectors with a higher proportion of shrimp farms mainly came from particulate organic matter of freshwater and freshwater algae compared to mangrove drains. Increases in TOC and TN content were recorded in all analyzed sectors, which could be attributed to the cumulative impact of population growth, the development of other agricultural crops, and continental deforestation, despite the fact that proportionally, the highest increases occurred in the sector with a greater influence of shrimp farms.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411082

Authors: Gurvan Jodin Hamid Ben Ahmed Jean-Christophe Crebier

The search for intrinsic usage-limited performance can lead to poor life cycle solutions in terms of resource consumption, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts [...]

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411081

Authors: Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi Abdulrasoul Alomran Hesham M. Ibrahim Arafat Alkhasha Zafer Alasmary

Water conservation and effective irrigation management are vital for sustainable agriculture in arid regions. While organic soil amendments have been widely used to enhance water retention in sandy soils, research on the use of date palm waste-derived biochar remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to explore the innovative application of biochar produced from date palm waste, focusing on its effects on the hydrological properties of sandy soil. Biochars of varying particle sizes (0.5, 1, and 2 mm) and pyrolysis temperatures (300 °C, 450 °C, and 600 °C) were produced and their impacts were assessed under both saturated and unsaturated conditions on soil hydrological properties. The biochar was incorporated into soil columns at application rates of 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% (w/w) within a 10 cm layer on top of 35 cm deep soil columns. The soil columns were placed vertically into water basins for saturation. Evaporation, infiltration, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured. The findings revealed that the application of 1%, 3%, and 5% biochar significantly increased soil water retention by 36.80%, 34.18%, and 29.66%, while cumulative evaporation decreased by 7.30%, 2.00%, and 1.35%, respectively, as compared to the control. Water retained at the end of the experiment was increased by 100.63%, 112.29%, and 101.68%, while unsaturated hydraulic conductivity decreased by 21.27%, 26.15%, and 26.17% after amending the soil with 1%, 3%, and 5% biochar, respectively, as compared to the control. The water retention ranged between 30.34 and 42.51%, 22.59 and 43.20%, and 22.48 and 38.81% for biochar produced at 300 °C, 450 °C, and 600 °C, respectively. Water infiltration rate and pore size was decreased with the increased pyrolysis temperature. Overall, the application rates of 3% and 5% with particle sizes of 1 and 0.5 mm and low pyrolysis temperature were most efficient for improving soil properties such as water retention, reducing unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, reducing the rate and volume of infiltration, and enhancing the micro-porosity reduction of sandy soils. In a nutshell, this study highlights the potential of date palm waste-derived biochar as an effective soil amendment, significantly enhancing water retention by up to 112.29% and reducing evaporation. By optimizing irrigation management in sandy soils, these findings contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411079

Authors: Apurva Goel Snehal Masurkar Girish R. Pathade

Digital transformation, powered by technologies like AI, IoT, and big data, is reshaping industries and societies at an unprecedented pace. While these innovations promise smarter energy management, precision agriculture, and efficient resource utilization, they also introduce serious environmental challenges. This paper examines the dual impact of digital technologies, highlighting key threats such as rising energy consumption, growing e-waste, and the increased extraction of raw materials. By synthesizing the existing literature, this study highlights mitigation strategies that include adopting energy-efficient practices, integrating renewable energy, and implementing circular economy principles. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach—making the most of technological advances while protecting the environment. By identifying gaps in the current research, this paper also suggests future areas to explore to ensure that digital progress does not come at the expense of our planet. This review advocates for an integrated strategy to achieve sustainable digital growth aligned with global climate goals.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411080

Authors: Krzysztof Piotr Pawłowski Gabriela Sołtysiak

The proposed changes in the European Green Deal require the restructuring of the agricultural sector throughout the European Union. Particularly crucial for the agri-food industry are “From Farm to Fork” strategies and new legislation “for biodiversity,” which are an integral part of the European Green Deal. From an environmental perspective, changes are required immediately, but at the same time, they may reduce agricultural production in Poland. Therefore, this study aims to assess the potential consequences of implementing the European Green Deal principles on Polish agriculture’s productivity. The study is based on two key assumptions which involve a 50% reduction in the use of plant protection products and a 20% reduction in fertilisation. The conducted analyses rely on data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). The results were obtained by constructing a panel regression model for farms of different economic sizes. Although the most significant reduction in production value may concern the largest farms (using the most fertilisers and plant protection products), the smallest farms may experience the most critical difficulties. The potential decline in crop production in Polish agriculture could be stopped by implementing modern technologies enabling the development of precision and digital agriculture 4.0.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411076

Authors: Mustafa Karimi Tomoyuki Chikamoto Myonghyang Lee Teppei Tanaka

Building or solar orientation, a key architectural design parameter, significantly influences energy consumption in buildings. Optimizing building orientation to harness passive solar benefits is a fundamental and cost-effective measure in designing energy-efficient buildings. However, the optimal orientation varies based on geographical location, climatic conditions, and building type. Notably, Afghanistan’s building sector currently lacks tailored energy efficiency regulations. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of building orientation on the energy performance of residential buildings across nine cities in Afghanistan, each characterized by distinct climatic conditions and geographic locations, employing BEoptTM energy simulation software. The findings reveal diverse optimal orientations, dividing the country into three distinct climatic zones: subarctic (optimal orientation: south-southeast), continental (optimal orientation: south), and hot-arid (optimal orientation: north). The optimal orientations in these regions yield potential energy savings ranging from 25.6% to 48.9% compared to the least efficient orientations. These insights are critical for establishing location-specific building regulations in Afghanistan, promoting energy-efficient design, and addressing the country’s current trend of unsustainable development.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411078

Authors: Nattasit Srinurak Warong Wonglangka Janjira Sukwai

This research created urban forest management using GIS as the primary instrument to act as a combined technique that allows the locals to participate in the survey. To maintain a sustainable urban green, urban tree management is necessary to reduce complexity and conflict. The initiative used a nature-based solution for tree care depending on species combined with a people-centered smart city approach to better assess tree health in historic urban areas. A total of 4607 records were obtained from the field survey event utilizing a mobile application as a tool. The tree’s basic name, spatial character, position, and potential risk were all gathered during the field survey. As GIS converted the tree’s general or local name into its scientific name, it was able to view and evaluate the data. The findings indicate that trees are most in danger from animals and insects, accounting for 56.39% (2748) of the total risk. Most of them are in areas with poor soil suitability. Through optimized hot-spot analysis mapping, the study recommended that tree care be prioritized. Maps of tree blooming and fruiting indicate the possibility of enhancing the advantages of urban trees in the research region in accordance with their phenological patterns.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411077

Authors: Ibrahim A. Hasan Mehmet Ishak Yuce

Potential evapotranspiration (PET) is a significant factor contributing to water loss in hydrological systems, making it a critical area of research. However, accurately calculating and measuring PET remains challenging due to the limited availability of comprehensive data. This study presents a detailed sustainable model for predicting PET using the Thornthwaite equation, which requires only mean monthly temperature (Tmean) and latitude, with calculations performed using R-Studio. A geographic information system (GIS) was employed to interpolate meteorological data, ensuring coverage of all sub-basins within the Murat River basin, the study area. Additionally, Python libraries were utilized to implement artificial intelligence-driven models, incorporating both machine learning and deep learning techniques. The study harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI), applying deep learning through a convolutional neural network (CNN) and machine learning techniques, including support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF). The results demonstrate promising performance across the models. For CNN, the coefficient of determination (R2) varied from 96.2 to 98.7%, the mean squared error (MSE) ranged from 0.287 to 0.408, and the root mean squared error (RMSE) was between 0.541 and 0.649. For SVM, the R2 varied from 94.5 to 95.6%, MSE ranged between 0.981 and 1.013, and RMSE ranged from 0.990 to 1.014. RF showed the best performance, achieving an R2 of 100%, MSE values of 0.326 and 0.640, and corresponding RMSE values of 0.571 and 0.800. The climate and topography data used for all algorithms were consistent, and the results indicate that the RF model outperforms the others. Consequently, The RF model’s superior accuracy highlights its potential as a reliable tool for sustainable PET prediction, supporting informed decision-making in water resource planning. By leveraging GIS, AI, and machine learning, this study enhances PET modeling methodologies, addressing critical water management challenges and promoting sustainable hydrological practices in the face of climate change and resource limitations.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411075

Authors: Oday A. Hiary Malik G. Al-Ajlouni

Understanding the components of residential landscapes in Amman can deliver effective information about landscape elements, materials, and water requirements. This research aimed to identify the most common landscape types and materials for residential properties and their landscape water budget in Amman, Jordan. This research surveyed 54 residential properties with a landscape in six neighborhoods in Amman. All landscape elements and materials were measured, identified, and documented on an AutoCAD plan. The whole landscaped area around the home was divided into separate zones based on landscape location and use (front yard, back yard, and side yard). Each zone was treated as an individual landscape. All landscape areas were standardized per zone area. Seven common landscape types were identified, and they represented 87% of all studied landscapes. The common landscape types were hard-surface, hard-surface soil, hard-surface mulch, hard-surface turf, soil, tree hard-surface turf, and turf. The hard-surface landscape was the most common type, forming 42% of Amman’s residential landscape. Common landscape types were grouped into two water budget groups. Turf landscape type had the highest landscape water budget. Plants with a ‘low to moderate’ water use level were the most common in the Amman residential landscape.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411074

Authors: Haruto Takeshita Yuki Kinoshita Tetsuo Yamada

Material recycling is vital for achieving carbon neutrality because using recycled materials helps avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that result from using virgin material. Carbon tax has been introduced in many countries to reduce GHG emissions. As recycling can prevent additional GHG emissions, the carbon tax should be refunded based on the GHG volume saved by recycling. The incentive of carbon tax refund can help promote recycling as an environment-friendly and economical activity. To retrieve material values from end-of-life (EOL) products, a reverse supply chain network should be designed based on the status and value of EOL products. This study introduces carbon tax refund into the reverse supply chain network for maximizing saved GHG emissions and minimizing cost. The bi-objective model is formulated using ϵ constraint method and integer programming. Numerical experiments were conducted based on the recycling of a vacuum cleaner and a laptop. The monetary rate at which the carbon tax refund became economically attractive differed according to product type. Thus, variable carbon tax refund rates would be needed, based on product type, to incentivize recycling.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411073

Authors: Vanesa Jiménez-Lacarra Eduardo Martínez-Cámara Juan Carlos Sáenz-Diez Muro Emilio Jiménez-Macías Julio Blanco-Fernández

New healthcare management strategies aim to reduce in-person visits and patient hospitalization while ensuring patient safety. These strategies optimize resources, alleviate pressure on healthcare services, and decrease travel and mobility within healthcare environments. This research analyzes the environmental impact and sustainability associated with transportation and mobility in traditional hospital-based healthcare services, which have been relocated to bring healthcare closer to patients. This retrospective study utilizes data from two hospital centers spanning the years 2021 to 2023. The objective is to highlight the environmental benefits and sustainability of providing healthcare in the patient’s environment. The methodology employs life cycle analysis to compare three scenarios: traditional healthcare in hospitals, healthcare provided at the patient’s location through home hospitalization and medical consultations at nearby health centers, and healthcare professionals’ travel using electric vehicles. The results demonstrate that healthcare professionals traveling to the patient’s home or nearby health centers reduce environmental impact across all analyzed impact categories. Promoting home hospitalization, specialized consultations at local health centers, and primary care can effectively reduce unnecessary patient travel and minimize environmental impact, enhancing sustainability. Health policies should prioritize actions to reduce hospital visits, emphasizing prevention over disease treatment. Such practices would not only benefit patients but further promote sustainability and environmental protection.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411072

Authors: Tao Huang Haili Xia

As the integration of the digital economy into the real economy accelerates and the goals of green and low-carbon development become increasingly clear, promoting green innovation (GI) through digital–real economy integration (DRI) is of great practical significance for achieving green, high-quality urban development. This study, based on a sample of 284 prefecture-level cities and above in China, used the entropy method to measure the development levels of the digital economy and real economy in each city and employed a coupling coordination model to calculate the degree of DRI. By constructing a bidirectional fixed effects model, a mediation effect model, a threshold regression model, and a spatial Durbin model, this study explored the impact of DRI on GI in cities. The research found that DRI has a non-linear promoting effect on GI. When a city’s DRI level surpasses the second threshold, each 1% increase in DRI leads to a 1.439% rise in GI. This effect also shows heterogeneity based on city location and resource endowment. In this process, transaction costs and the upgrading of the industry structure serve as mediating factors, with each 1% increase in DRI reducing transaction costs by 0.163% and enhancing industrial upgrading with a coefficient of 0.176. Additionally, DRI in one city can significantly enhance the level of GI in neighboring cities through spatial spillover effects. For instance, under the geographic distance weighting matrix, the indirect effect of DRI reaches 4.693, and similar significant spillover effects are observed under the economic distance and economic geography weighting matrices.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411071

Authors: Bekzat Baibatyrova Ayaulym Tileuberdi Meiram Begentayev Erzhan Kuldeyev Ruslan Nyrlybayev Zhaksylyk Altybayev Bakhytzhan Sarsenbayev Aisulu Abduova Gaukhar Sauganova

Kazakhstan is embarking on a fresh approach to managing waste, aiming to recycle and repurpose solid household waste while integrating innovative, eco-friendly technologies for its treatment and disposal. The main goal is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and instead convert it into more stable forms, lessening its harmful impact on the environment. This effort requires a comprehensive strategy, especially as existing landfills still need to be managed and rehabilitated when they reach capacity. It is essential to use municipal solid waste as a resource for producing various goods, which not only helps in landfill management but also aligns with principles of sustainability. This approach aligns with circular economic principles and helps to reduce the technological impact of landfills on the surrounding environment. The main types of waste in the Aktas landfill were identified as a result of this research: it is glass, of which only 3% is recycled. In our results, the setup allowed for the extraction of valuable components from the fine fraction, which can then be recycled. This enriches the organic material ready for composting (organo-mineral raw material mixture) with food waste.

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su162411070

Authors: Ileana Berges-Alvarez Alejandro Martínez-Rocamora Madelyn Marrero

The construction industry has enormous impacts on the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. To mitigate these impacts, several researchers have explored a variety of methods that link Building Information Modeling (BIM) with methodologies for a holistic evaluation of sustainability, such as Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). However, the complete integration of BIM-LCSA still remains unresolved, with a series of challenges that must be overcome. Consequently, the aim of this article is to identify the advances and challenges of BIM-LCSA integration focused on buildings through a literature review of the existing solutions presented by researchers worldwide. The PRISMA 2020 protocol is used. A total of 135 articles published between 2010–2023 are reviewed for bibliometric analysis. Furthermore, an exhaustive analysis of the case studies is carried out, by taking into account the structure proposed by ISO 14040. The authors identify a gap in the literature mainly regarding the full integration of the three dimensions with BIM that facilitates a simultaneous on-the-air assessment, in addition to the lack of a standardized LCSA method of calculation.