This study presents an in-depth analysis of land use and land cover change on the Kerch Peninsula over a period spanning three decades. Utilizing convolutional neural networks alongside satellite imagery analysis, we have mapped and quantified the changes in land use and cover, revealing significant trends and transformations within the peninsula's landscape. The research aims to elucidate the interplay between anthropogenic activities, climatic variations, and policy interventions in shaping land cover dynamics, thereby providing insights into the environmental and socio-economic impacts of these changes. Our findings indicate a marked increase in urban expansion at the expense of natural ecosystems, including forests and wetlands, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable land management strategies. The study highlights the role of agricultural intensification and expansion in altering the peninsula's ecological balance and emphasizes the critical importance of integrating change analysis and prediction. By leveraging advanced remote sensing and GIS technologies, our analysis not only enhances the understanding of the complex dynamics driving land use and land cover change but also showcases the potential of predictive modeling in forecasting future land cover scenarios. The implications of this study extend beyond the Kerch Peninsula, offering valuable lessons for managing land use changes and conserving natural landscapes in similar regions globally.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has been proving suitable to support or even replace traditional manufacturing in several industries, offering many advantages such as delivery time and reduction in terms of material waste, energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aimed to carry out a comparative assessment of the life cycle, from gate to gate, in the production of a low alloy carbon steel flange part using ER-90 wire. The methods utilized were Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) and conventional manufacturing (CM) by forging, and comparative factors were energy demands, GHG emissions and generated solid waste. The total energy consumption in WAAM was 10,239.40 MJ, total carbon footprint in CO2 equivalent (CO2e) was 714.1 kgCO2e kg-1, and generated solid waste was 68.6 kg, respectively, 90%, 95% and 76% lower than consumption calculated in conventional manufacturing.

This article explores the concept of sustainable leadership in the digital era and the role of technology in promoting environmental sustainability. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through digital advancements, leaders are facing new challenges and opportunities to address environmental concerns. This article examines the key characteristics of sustainable leadership and discusses how technology can be utilized to promote environmental sustainability. It highlights various technological innovations and strategies that leaders can employ to foster a sustainable organizational culture. Moreover, the article discusses potential barriers and limitations of technology in achieving sustainability goals. Overall, it emphasizes the significance of sustainable leadership and technology integration in addressing environmental challenges in the digital era.

This article explores the question of the rate of digital progress in the context of the labor market. Specific features of the current situation are indicated: temporality of socio-technological transformations, which is becoming less and less compatible with the harmonious development of man and society; the pace at which machines acquire intelligence; total devaluation of mental labor; unresolved issue of the role of man in the world of intelligent machines; the criticality of the problem of the labor market, due to its global nature, social significance and the rate of socio-technological changes. It is emphasized that these circumstances in the short term threaten the sustainable development of the global society, whose reactions to the transformation of technological and socio-economic infrastructure are significantly lagging behind. It is concluded that there is an urgent need to strengthen social responsibility, determined by the new ethics of relations between humans and machines with AI, supplemented by the primacy of the dignity of the social role of humans. The authors point out the urgent need to revise ideas about work as the main purpose of a person and about realization in the profession as the main factor that determines the self-esteem of an individual and his social status.

Historically, the lack of comprehensive and real-time data is the main challenge in city sustainability assessments. However, with the increase in the availability of crowdsourced data over the last decade, a rich and real-time data source provides detailed images of urban systems. This has opened up new opportunities for practitioners, including geographers, social researchers, and data scientists, to gather and utilize social media data as a core source for studying cities and assessing their sustainability. This paper proposes an assessment model for the sustainability of cities based on crowdsourced data and the principles of General System Theory. The model aims to utilize crowdsourced data for the analysis and decision-making processes to enhance the sustainability and resilience of smart future cities.

Enterprises that seek for sustainable development should align economic interests with environmental and social requirements. It is not enough to take into account just these basics components. Technology plays a significant role in company activity. The aim of this article is to highlight the relationship between the dimensions characterising sustainability and to take a deeper look at the structure of the concept of sustainability so that to understand in more detail the completeness of the dimensions of sustainability. For achieving this aim is necessary through the analysis of researchers’ opinions to apply the logical assessment, systematisation, and comparison of information, selects the most important information describing the sustainability of technology, highlights the relationships between the technological aspect of sustainability and other sustainability dimensions, evaluates the technological processes of the corporate product in terms of sustainability, clarifies and presents arguments highlighting the importance of the technological aspect in sustainable business activity, rejects inappropriate arguments, identifies links between the arguments, and, basing on the information, proves and/or formulates anew some logical considerations to justify the full competency of the technological dimension in the sustainable development framework.

Marine lipids are recognized for their health promoting features, mainly for being the primary sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and therefore critical for human nutrition in an age when the global supply for these nutrients is experiencing an unprecedent pressure due to an ever-increasing demand. The seafood industry originates a considerable yield of co-products worldwide that, while already explored for other purposes, remain mostly undervalued as sustainable sources of healthy lipids, often being explored for low value oil production. These co-products are especially appealing as lipid sources since, besides the well-known nutritional upside of marine animal fat, particularly rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), they have also interesting bioactive properties, which may garner them further interest, not only as food, but also for other high-end applications. Besides the added value that these co-products may represent as valuable lipid sources, there is also the obvious ecological upside of reducing seafood industry waste. In this sense, repurposing these bioresources will contribute to a more sustainable use of marine animal food, reducing the strain on already heavily depleted seafood stocks. Therefore, untapping the potential of marine animal co-products as valuable lipid sources aligns with both health and environmental goals by guaranteeing additional sources of healthy lipids and promoting more eco-conscious practices.

Sustainability in material purchasing is a growing area of research. Goods purchasing decisions strongly affect transportation path flows, vehicle consolidation, inventory levels and related obsolescence costs. Within a global sourcing context, companies experience the need of new decision making approaches capable to consider a large variety of factors, also linked with society and environment. Environmental impact assessment has become a key requirement for materials purchasing and transportation decisions since global warming is a rising concern both in academic and industrial researches. In fact, it is well known that the freight transport industry is responsible for large amounts of carbon emissions contributing to global warming. In this paper, we initially analyse and compare the environmental economic policies established by the International Governments in relation to the carbon trading systems adopted. Then, we develop a multi-objective lot sizing approach useful in practice to define the sustainable quantity to purchase when a Cap and Trade mitigation policy is present. We further analyse the model behaviour according to different carbon price values by demonstrating that carbon prices are still far too low to motivate managers towards sustainable purchasing choices.

Child-friendly tourism is a tourism concept that focuses on the welfare and needs of children as tourism actors. This concept is an important part of developing a sustainable tourism city because children are the future generation who will continue their role in maintaining the sustainability of the tourism industry. This article discusses the importance of child-friendly tourism in the development of a sustainable tourist city and provides some examples of best practices in creating a safe, comfortable and educational tourism environment for children. This article also discusses some of the challenges and opportunities in implementing the concept of child-friendly tourism, including how to involve children in decision-making and increase community participation in creating a better tourism environment for children. By adopting the concept of child-friendly tourism, tourist cities can build a sustainable tourism environment and preserve natural resources and local culture, while also providing positive and memorable tourism experiences for children and their families.

In the face of pressing global challenges, coupling the synergy of dance arts, sustainability, and marketing communications emerges as a potent catalyst for advancing sustainable behavior within society. Although prior research has examined the emotional stimulations raised by dance performance, it has not systematically demonstrated the role of traditional dance as a vehicle for sustainability marketing communications. This study fills this gap by using the AIDA model (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) as a foundation, conceptualizing dance performance elements into seven dimensions, and incorporating emotional engagement and environmental consciousness to foster sustainable behavior. Collaborating with Taiwanese dance troupe, the research produced a performance titled, ‘The New Dragon Palace Chronicle’, which focuses on the themes of destruction and preservation of underwater life, enriched with cultural and sustainability symbolism. The hypothesis were tested on a sample of 315 Taiwanese audience who watching the performance. The results confirmed that the seven dimensions of the dance elements have substantial validity and reliability, significantly drawing the attention of the audience as preliminary stage of awareness. This attention fosters emotional engagement and amplified environmental consciousness and significantly influences interest, desire, and ultimately, sustainable behavior action. The findings underscore the vital role of dance art performance in nurturing actions that contribute to social sustainability.

Historical legacy of Eastern European and Balkans’ health systems was mutually interdependent and shaped by local socioeconomic circumstances. Three distinctive systems of risk sharing and health financing to develop since the late XIX century were the Bismarck, Beveridge, and Semashko systems. Modern day healthcare systems in these countries are challenged by population ageing, accelerated innovation in medical technology, growing purchasing power and rising demand for healthcare services. Supply side changes contribute to demand side efficiency bottlenecks in financing, driving the costs of the already expensive medical care up. All of the nations have a large share of citizens experiencing difficulty with affordability and access to medical care, particularly in rural and remote areas. Network of Health technology assessment agencies have mushroomed over the past three decades. Principles of health economics theory and cost-effective resource allocation are slowly gaining ground in governing authorities’ mindset and decision-making process. For many years to come, pharmaceuticals and medical services will remain dependent on out-of-pocket spending. Currently accelerating and spreading 4.0 Industrial Revolution, together with the Belt and Road Initiative, are likely to substantially impact the further economic development of this vast region. Post-Pandemic ‘Green’ Recovery strategies adopted by many of the Eastern European governments shall also make this transition towards sustainable development more difficult and challenging given the large dependency of all these economies upon traditional carbon fuels.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is considered vital to the success of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Systems Thinking has been identified as a core competency necessary to incorporate into ESD. Systems Thinking orientated ESD learning tools, established methods of assessment of sustainability skills, and studies to demonstrate effectiveness of such learning tools, are all lacking. There is a wealth of experience in the System Dynamics field regarding the application of Systems Thinking and simulation to environmental problems, sustainability and systems education. Many System Dynamicists regard simulation as essential for teaching Systems Thinking. The substantial body of research into the design of effective simulation-based learning environments (SBLEs) can also inform ESD initiatives. This research describes a randomised controlled trial (n=106) to investigate whether an online sustainability learning tool that incorporates Systems Thinking and System Dynamics simulation increases understanding of a specific problem and supports transfer of knowledge to a second problem with a similar systemic structure. The effects of Systems Thinking and simulation were tested separately and in combination. The learning tool was designed for a single online learning session. Simulation was found to increase ESD learning outcomes significantly, and also to support transfer of skills, although less significantly.

Carbon footprint mitigation actions have become a key issue for companies involved in urban freight transport. The electrification of the delivery fleets is one of the crucial sustainable actions carried out. To this end, it is necessary to explore several fleet renewal strategies over a finite planning horizon evaluating different types of electric powertrains for light commercial vehicles. The primary goal of this purpose-built analysis is to assist and boost the fleet managers' decisions when transitioning to alternative-fuelled vans, intending to maximize cost savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The model presented in this work is a Multi-Objective Linear Programming hybrid analysis taking into account the vehicle and energy supply infrastructure costs and the emissions reported in each inventory scope following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol sustainability guidelines. From this perspective, the conducted research offers a novel approximation to fleet management problems enabling a break-down cost analysis and an evaluation of the annual emissions company report. The comprehensive numerical simulations carried out over different study scenarios in Spain demonstrate that the optimization approach does not only show effective fleet renewal strategies but also identifies critical factors that impact the fleet's competitiveness, offering valuable insights for fleet managers and policymakers to meet carbon footprint reductions in a cost-effectively way.

With growing urbanisation the sustainability of cities has become increasingly important. Although cities have been using indicators for a long time it is only in the last decades that attempts have been made to collate indicators into indicator sets with the aim of reflecting the many different aspects that need to be covered to assess the sustainability of a city. The aim of this paper is to review how indicators for monitoring sustainable urban development have evolved over time and compare them to the indicators suggested by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review reveals that previous indicator sets emphasised environmental sustainability, health and economic growth. It is also shown that indicator sets that pre-date the SDGs lacked dimensions such as gender equality and reduced inequalities. In all, the SDG indicators provide the possibility of a more balanced and integrated approach to urban sustainability monitoring. At the same time, a methodology is needed to facilitate the adaptation process of localising the SDGS, targets and indicators. Challenges of local application include their large number, their generic characteristics and the need to complement them with specific indicators that are more relevant at the city level.

This paper focuses on leveraging a cutting-edge 3D state-space model for a holistic eco-friendly assessment in petrochemical operations. - By applying the ecological carrying capacity theory and the three-dimensional state-space model, this research aims to unleash the next frontier of sustainability in the petrochemical industry. - The proposed methodology will enable advanced and comprehensive eco efficiency evaluation in petrochemical operations. - Through the integration of the ecological carrying capacity theory and advanced modeling techniques, this research seeks to revolutionize sustainability assessments in the petrochemical sector. - The utilization of the cutting-edge 3D state-space model will provide a more advanced and accurate understanding of eco-friendly practices in petrochemical operations. This research presents a unique approach distinct from existing literature, which primarily examines business eco efficiency from behavioral motivation and strategic perspectives. In contrast, this paper introduces a novel three-dimensional state-space model to evaluate the ecological efficiency of petrochemical operations. By combining the ecological carrying index and state space, this model represents the ecological impact of petrochemical operations in a three-dimensional geometric space. It considers petrochemical operations as a significant factor exerting pressure on natural resources and the natural environment. In this three-dimensional state-space model, the three axes represent different dimensions of petrochemical operations. The first axis represents the economic status, which quantitatively describes the financial aspects of the operation. The second axis represents the utilization of resources, capturing the extent to which resources are consumed in the operation. The third axis focuses on the impact of the operation on the environment, allowing for a quantitative assessment of its ecological footprint. By incorporating these dimensions, the model aims to provide a comprehensive and quantitative description of the economic activities of petrochemical operations and their interactions with resources and the environment.The primary focus of this research is to apply the three-dimensional state-space model to calculate the ecological carrying capacity of petrochemical operations. By doing so, it aims to verify the feasibility and applicability of the model in determining the ecological efficiency of these operations. The research also aims to provide theoretical tools that can assist operations in making more informed ecological efficiency judgments. By utilizing this model, petrochemical operations will have a quantitative framework to assess and improve their environmental impact, thus fostering more sustainable practices. The findings of this research demonstrate that the implementation of this method can effectively identify issues related to resources, economy, and environment throughout the development of petrochemical operations. By identifying these problems, it provides managers with a solid foundation for making strategic decisions that promote sustainable development. With this valuable information at their disposal, managers can proactively address challenges, optimize resource utilization, and minimize environmental impacts, thus steering the petrochemical operations towards a more sustainable and responsible path.

This article shows the numerical results and the analysis of households' degree of knowledge in an intermediary city such as Huelva (Andalusia, Spain) about the sustainable use of urban water. It analyzes the needs and values regarding water and the attitudes that households maintain regarding the acceptance of reclaimed water and the use of new technologies to achieve more efficient and sustainable consumption. These results are part of the stages of needfinding and synthesis of Design Thinking methodology, adopted as a framework to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban water among households in this city. Different statistical analysis techniques of surveys sent to households and the use of clustering are the mathematical tools used to draw conclusions and recommendations that allow the design of a web-based prototype grounded on Product Service Systems methodology, as a tool to improve the engagement of households concerning water and align citizens with the sustainability of their city. Strategies of customization and technological facilitators will be the means to improve the hydrosocial contract among households in Huelva in future later stages of the project.

Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into effect, both UNESCO and other international organisations recommend empowering youth to implement the SDGs in universities. Getting started with the SDGs at university level is of special relevance in pre-service teacher training since future teachers are powerful agents of change in the lives of young people. Future teachers need to acquire competencies in sustainability to be able to promote meaningful changes in sustainable behaviour. To that end, holistic approaches to facilitate their acquirement need to be developed. The aim of this study is to explore which teaching methodologies are suitable for the development of competencies in sustainability in Higher Education (HE) and how to empower students to take a leading role in implementing the SDGs in universities. The participants in the study are a group of 23 students in pre-service teacher training. The experimental educational model used for the development of sustainable competencies consists of a methodological sequence of Project-Oriented Learning (POL) and a Cross-disciplinary Workshop on Sustainable Food. This study provides evidence that a holistic approach is appropriate for developing sustainable competencies and contributes to empowering students to implement SDG 12 at their university.

Recent years have seen a proliferation of platform-based “shared mobility services” (SMS) such as car-, bike-, and e-scootersharing in many cities in Germany and around the world. At the same time, these services have become the subject of intense debates: Are they replacing private car travel, thus contributing to sustainable mobility in cities? Or are they drawing users away from public transit and cycling while obstructing public space? From the perspective of sustainable mobility politics it seems far from clear which role these new services could play in transitioning to a less car-centric mobility system. While a number of potential effects and ensuing governance issues of shared mobility services (e.g. regarding questions of equitable access, data governance, the role of public versus private actors) have already been studied this article explores the role of shared mobility services (SMS) in triggering system dynamics and feedback loops in the context of sustainability transitions. The article connects questions regarding the sustainability effects of “shared mobility services” with the role of “push” measures to reduce private car traffic in cities. Using a theoretical framework from socio-technical transitions research and from the sociology of technology it describes the recent growth of shared mobility services in Berlin as an example of the upscaling dynamics of socio-technical niche innovations. Drawing on a series of workshops with mobility service providers and representatives of public authorities it analyses the potential for conflict as well as for coalition building between service providers and public authorities. Based on the theoretical concept of the role of feedback loops and windows of opportunity for transitions it shows how the market growth of shared mobility services added momentum to an already ongoing political debate over the legitimate use of public space in Berlin. Against this backdrop the article shows how growing numbers of car-, bike-, and e-scootersharing vehicles could open up windows of opportunity for re-distributing space away from private cars. The article concludes that supporting and regulating SMS will be key to steering their growth into the direction of sustainability.

As a form of protection, a nature park is often created to protect and valorise natural and cultural heritage in peripheral rural areas. However, in terms of multi-functionality, new nature parks are incorporated into traditional productive activities, such as recreational and tourist activities, which sometimes compromise sustainability. The research objective is to study the relationship between tourism and sustainability in the Nature Parks of “Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche”, “Sierra Norte de Sevilla” and “Sierra de Hornachuelos” that makes up the Dehesas de Sierra Morena Biosphere Reserve in Andalusia, Spain. Therefore, selective interviews have been carried out with the stakeholders to establish their perception of sustainable tourism and the presence of dominant discourses. The main conclusions indicate (1) the presence of different dominant discourses on sustainability, namely the conservationist and mercantilist ones, with the prevalence of the economic dimension; (2) poor awareness and adaptation to the context of global change; and (3) the presence of competitive relationships that generate difficulties for the governance of sustainable tourism.

With the trend of public infrastructure becoming more sustainable, large multi-purpose sports venues (LMPSVs) have become one of the world's most complex architectural projects and one of the landmark buildings of an international city. LMPSVs will lead the world in sustainable design, construction and operational innovations, and play a crucial role in raising awareness of sustainability around the world. System Thinking (ST), System Dynamics (SD) and Sustainable System Development (SSD) theories are three interrelated concepts that together form a methodological framework for solving complex system problems and driving strategies. The purpose of this study is to examine how LMPSVs can implement environmental, social, governance, and innovation (ESGI) enterprise transformation strategy (ETS) based on a sustainable systems development (SSD) framework. In view of the current global environmental challenges and social responsibility requirements, the motivation of this study is to provide an integrated transformation pathway for LMPSVs to achieve the goal of sustainable development and to contribute to the field of related disciplines. The methodology of this research adopts a combination of literature review and case study analysis, and the theoretical basis is mainly drawn from cutting-edge research in the fields of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental management. Then, by analyzing successful transformation cases in China, we extract data and information to explore the application and effectiveness of these strategies in practice. The results of the study show that by implementing ESGI-based transformation strategy, LMPSVs can not only make significant progress in terms of environmental protection, social responsibility, and governance structure, but also drive long-term corporate growth and competitiveness through innovation. Specifically, these results are realized in terms of increased efficiency in energy use, improved waste management, community involvement and increased stakeholder satisfaction. The study concludes by emphasizing that the SSD-based ESGI Transformation Strategic framework provides a sustainable pathway for LMPSVs. In the future, the extension of this transformation strategy will help a wider range of industry sectors to achieve sustainable development goals, and has wide application potential and far-reaching social significance.

The seed industry plays a crucial role in the global food production, but it faces a persistent challenge in ensuring the health and quality of seeds, particularly those of tomato and pepper, which represent key seed commodities on the global market. Seeds can serve as potential pathways for the introduction and dissemination of seed-borne bacteria, which may have devastating effects on crop yield, farmers’ remunerability, and food security. Therefore, fungicides and other anti-microbial compounds are extensively used to disinfect the seeds, thus increasing the input of chemicals in the agri-enviroment. In this review, we address aspects that connect disease epide-miology with seed infection and health, including seed contamination, endophytic colonization, and seed-borne infections. We focused on the main bacterial diseases affecting tomato and pepper by discussing their official seed testing methods as requirements supporting a smooth seed trade. Moreover, we present a survey on the past and recent innovations for seed treatments, focusing on sustainable disinfection methods. Therefore, this review will be a short, but indispensable guide for seed technologists and pathologists involved in the production of high-quality seeds, providing indications and suggestions to contrast seed-borne pathogens dissemination, avoid international controversies and complaints by phytosanitary authorities, extension services and farmers.

The UK economy is overly reliant on unsustainable production and consumption practices, depleting finite resources at rates that will increase production costs, business risk and economic instability. This over-consumption produces emissions and waste that cause climate change and environmental degradation, impacting on the wellbeing of people in the UK and beyond. The Resource Recovery from Waste programme (RRfW) promotes a transition towards waste and resource management in a circular economy that restores the environment, creates societal benefits and promotes clean growth by engaging relevant actors in the transition process. RRfW collaborates with academia, government, and industry to co-produce a shared vision and approach to realise such a transition. Reflecting insights from RRfW’s government engagement, this article presents a positive outlook for changing the UK economy and society. It envisions a long-term future for waste and resource management that maximises the value of materials by circulating them in the economy for as long as possible. Four themes and an approach are proposed, including recommendations for regulatory instruments and a stable policy framework. It recommends further collaborative research to capitalise on opportunities for economic growth, innovation and resilient infrastructure whilst contributing to quality jobs and welfare in all four UK nations.

To explore the coupling mechanism between urban-rural transformation (URT) and the ecological environment in counties forms the basis for achieving high-quality and sustainable county development. Despite the richness of research on the relationship between urban and rural development and the ecological environment, the county level remains the basic unit of rural revitalization in China, and further research on the coupling mechanism between URT and the ecological environment at this level is needed. Therefore, the study developed an evaluation system for URT, incorporated NDVI data indicators, and employed the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model along with GIS tools to investigate the spatio-temporal pattern of URT and NDVI evolution, and the CCD in each administrative village within Lingbao City. Additionally, a geoDetector model was employed to analyze the influencing factors affecting the CCD of URT and NDVI. Finally, the study explores the coupling mechanism and optimization path. The result shows that: (1) During the study period, the URT level in administrative villages within the study area markedly improved, while NDVI exhibited an increasing-then-decreasing trend; (2) The CCD between URT and NDVI in the northern and central regions of the study area is higher than that in the southern region, with an overall low level; (3) The spatial heterogeneity of CCD is significant, largely influenced by socio-economy, natural environment, policy funds, and geographical location, where the elements comprising CCD mutually influence each other; (4) Drawing upon the coupling and coordination dynamics between URT and the ecological environment within Lingbao City, this research categorizes it into seven types with distinct optimization paths. This study provides a valuable reference for guiding the high-quality and sustainable development strategies for mountainous and hilly counties within the Yellow River basin.

The collapse of the Rana Plaza factory profoundly affected the fashion industry and society, serving as a reminder of the importance of social issues in academics and practice. Some scholars have pointed out that academia lacks fashion studies on social issues that are more prevalent in developing countries. Therefore, this study aims to determine a meta-analysis of sustainable fashion research since the Rana Plaza collapse and how it aligns with the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs). The applied method is automated content analysis, and seven academic agendas were extracted by analyzing sustainable fashion literature. The findings showed that academic scholarship has covered various topics, ranging from design to social issues, whereas the results have not clarified the relationship between social issues and developing countries. The findings also show that SDG 12 stood out, which is responsible consumption and production. Aside from the production community, consumers need to be aware of socio-environmental problems to make harmonious lifestyle choices with nature. Furthermore, scholars need to align themselves with an easier-to-understand concept of sustainable fashion to make a public appeal for it as a societal importance.

Advances in genetic engineering have placed synthetic biology at a prime position to develop new products, materials, and services that could contribute to the 2030 UN Sustainable Development goals. These include novel materials for water purification, new bio-based products to replace toxic industrial chemicals, and engineered organisms for bioremediation. Supporting the development of synthetic biology initiatives in developing countries is needed to ensure these benefits are open to all.

The adoption of environmental conservation agriculture (ECA) in Nepal is aligned with the country's goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, as ECA practices have been proven to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nepal's agricultural sector faces numerous challenges, including labor shortages, climate change impacts, and the necessity for environmentally friendly farming methods, making the adoption of ECA practices even more crucial. This paper thus explored farmer perspectives on the sustainability of ECA practices in Namobuddha municipality, Nepal, which is renowned as a leading hub of organic farming. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, together with key informant interviews and onsite observations. By analyzing various farmer perspectives, the study presents an analytical framework that highlights the economic, environmental, and social pillars of ECA's sustainability. The findings underscore the significance of economic viability for farmers, as damages to crops and farm products negatively drive their perception of ECA sustainability. Conversely, factors such as increased agriculture-related income, favorable prices, and sustainable productivity positively shape farmers' perceptions. In terms of environmental sustainability, farmers prioritize enhancing the local and global environment, viewing their farming methods as climate-smart and actively working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the importance of strategic communication to effectively convey the benefits of ECA to rural communities. Overall, this research contributes to filling the knowledge gap concerning farmers' perceptions of ECA sustainability. The insights gained from this study have the potential to inform policy decisions and promote the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly farming practices in Nepal.

This study considers ways to increase the consumption of sustainable fashion, given the significant environmental and social damages, associated with the industry. A series of experiments were conducted examining the impacts of choice architecture (nudges) under field conditions in collab-oration with one of Israel’s largest shopping centers. The study sought to identify which inter-ventions at the retail level successfully motivate sustainable fashion behavioral change regarding purchases and willingness to pay more, along with agreement with several statements regarding the climate crisis and sustainable fashion. Among the types of nudges examined in this field study were providing information, increasing accessibility to sustainable alternatives and appealing to social identity, in relation to demographics and green self-image. The study found that offering alterna-tives to consumers constitutes the most effective way to “nudge” consumers toward more sus-tainable purchasing behavior. Nonetheless, this does not negate the contribution of providing in-formation and strengthening social norms regarding sustainable fashion. Additionally in all groups, most participants reported that they do not know how to distinguish between sustainable and non-sustainable fashion, nor do they believe that the clothes they purchased were actually sustainable. The findings emphasize the need for policies that will increase the accessibility of sustainable fashion.

Due to a shortage of funding and other market challenges, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have a tough time adopting new technologies. Numerous technological obstacles nega-tively impact the long-term commercial achievement of SMEs. The deployment of Industry 4.0 might resolve several technological challenges. A sustainable city is a difficult structure whose economical, societal, and ecological components interact and compete with one another. There is a dearth of actual methodologies for measuring interaction. The objective of Industry 4.0 is to obtain a better degree of performance effectiveness and profitability, and greater automation. Conse-quently, the purpose of the research is to determine the influence of Industry 4.0 in fostering economic efficiency in small and medium enterprises' sustainability. A Sustainable City using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (SC-MCDM) system is designed in this research to test and achieve sustainable developmental goals. This paper then gives a technique for calculating the interaction between various standards, such as static interactions and dynamical pattern resemblance, as well as the weight variables of every indication generated by the connection. Furthermore, the ap-plication of the suggested technique is proved by assessing the sustainable development goals of twelve Chinese cities within the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) paradigm. From a geographic-temporal viewpoint, spatial variations in city sustainability reveal regional inequalities in sustainability. Indicator scores suggest that the lack of research spending, falling financing in stationary assets, shortage of financial development, and inadequate shared transit are the most significant limiting factors for most communities. Furthermore, the growth of tertiary industries, the improvement of energy performance, the expansion of green areas, and the reduction of pollution emissions are the key driving forces for enhancing sustainability. Compared to other methodologies, Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) considers the interplay between conditions, which is an excellent way to assess the sustainability of a city. The experimental findings show the impact of MCDM and sustainability to achieve sustainable development goals.

There is a growing recognition of the need to incorporate sustainability considerations early-on in the product development (PD) process (PDP). As part of a case study at an engineering consultancy firm, this paper identifies considerations that influence the integration of sustainable design practices into real-world PD practices. This is informed by the first author getting embedded in the firm as an intern, and closely observing the PD workflow across various projects, conducting interviews and group discussions with a wide range of practitioners, and iteratively designing and testing various potential interventions. From literature and observation, we find that designers and engineers often struggle to identify and apply the right sustainable design methods and tools (SDMTs) to tackle the environmental impacts associated with their products. Through a human-centered design process, we co-created a reusable, modular framework of practices that aids the selection of relevant strategies, based on the environmental hotspots, stage of the PD process, and the client’s sustainability priorities. The paper further presents insights related to the framework’s real-world application and impacts in the firm, based on results of longitudinal engagement with the firm.

The most extensive urban growths in the next 30 years are expected to occur in developing countries. Lagos, Nigeria - Africa’s second most populous megacity- is a prime example. To achieve more sustainable and resilient cities, there is a need for modeling the urban growth patterns of major cities and analyzing their implications. In this study, the urban growth of Lagos state was modeled using the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network for the transition modeling and the Markov Chain analysis for the change prediction, achieving a model accuracy of 81.8%. An innovative visual validation of the model results using the ArcGIS was combined with kappa correlation statistics. The results show that by 2031, built-up areas will be the most spatially extensive LULC class in the study area with percentage coverage of 34.1% as opposed to 9% in 1986. The coverage of bare areas is also expected to increase by 53% between 2016 and 2031. Conversely, 24.9% and 68.3% loss of forestlands and wetlands respectively, are expected between 2016 and 2031. In view of the 11^th goal of SDGs which focuses on achieving sustainable cities and communities, the objectives of African Union’s Agenda 2063, and based on the urban growth trends observed, the study recommends a prioritization of vertical expansion as opposed to the current horizontal urban growth trends in the study area.

Brazil became a major player in the global beef market, after the market liberalization in the 1990’s, and experiencing a substantial development. Nonetheless, the environmental impact of beef production associated with land use and greenhouse gas emissions has been under discussion. The necessity of increased adoption of sustainable technologies, however, may preclude some farmers to keep up to date with technological advances. This article describes the major historical changes in beef farming and how they have been shifting production systems toward a sustainable intensification of grass-fed beef, with likely impacts for farmers. We combined an extensive literature review, public data and our own insights, as senior researchers, to achieve that. The trajectory shown here evidenced the substantial technological development underway in Brazilian beef farming, with strong support of public policies for decarbonizing agriculture. Nonetheless, the pace of this sustainable transition may affect small to medium farmers unable to cope. Our recommendations, therefore, involve a broad program of technical assistance and training on sustainable technologies and other supportive practices, including financial and digital literacy. Additionally, we suggest an alternative credit system, with progressive borrowing allowances to ensure financial resources to support a sustainable and inclusive transition of Brazilian beef farming.

For the agricultural sector to develop sustainably in the future, progress toward more environmentally friendly technologies and methods is crucial. It is necessary to increase output while reducing the demand for energy, agrochemicals, and water resources. Although greenhouses can be utilized successfully for this purpose, significant technical advancements are required, especially when it comes to heating, to lower the use of fossil fuels and boost energy efficiency. Infrared waves and microwaves, for instance, can warm plants without having to heat the entire greenhouse volume, which takes a significant amount of energy to compensate for heat loss to the outdoor environment. In this paper, through a thorough examination of the state of the art, a general overview of novel greenhouse heating systems based on radiation is reported. First, infrared heating of greenhouses is analyzed, then the strengths and weaknesses of microwave and dielectric heating are discussed, and finally the use of microwaves for soil sterilization is examined. All outcomes suggest these irradiation-based technologies can contribute significantly to an agriculture that is energetically sustainable.

Water is a fundamental resource for ecosystems, humans, and the development of all economic sectors; it is necessary to identify and evaluate its environmental pressures or impacts. The water footprint (WF) is an appropriate indicator for the consumption of water used to produce a product. The present study uses this tool to evaluate the green and blue water requirements and the sustainability of irrigation water use for agroindustrial avocado production in Ziracuaretiro, Michoacán (2012-2021). Our analysis was based on aggregating weather and soil data at the municipal level and official government databases of avocado cultivated surface, fruit production, and water rights concessions. The analysis considers the homogeneity of information throughout the study area. We estimated that rainfed plantations require 839.03 m³/ton and irrigated plantations require 2355.80 m³/ton, with an average of 1597.47 m³/ton. In addition, we determined that avocado cultivation can demand up to 124.3% of agricultural water concessions in this municipality. In addition to the WF estimates, the analysis indicates that such studies are fundamental for decision-makers to develop and implement water use-efficiency strategies and shows the need for further research related to water consumption of avocado as a crop at more detailed scales to reduce uncertainty.

Agricultural intensification increased crop productivity but simplified production with lower diversity of cropping systems, higher genetic uniformity, and a higher uniformity of agricultural landscapes. Associated detrimental effects on the environment and biodiversity as well as the resilience and adaptability of cropping systems to climate change are of growing concern. Crop diversification may stabilize productivity of cropping systems and reduce negative environmental impacts and loss of biodiversity, but a shared understanding of crop diversification including approaches towards a more systematic research is lacking. The current review highlights the use of Cropping Systems Diversification as an Approach to Enhancing Crop Productivity. Crop diversification can be considered as an attempt to increase the diversity of crops through, e.g. crop rotation, multiple cropping or intercropping, compared to specialized farming with the aim to improve the productivity, stability and delivery of ecosystem services. It can be one measure to develop more sustainable production systems, develop value-chains for minor crops. Crop diversification practices can include higher crop diversity, more diverse crop, mixed cropping; cultivation of grain legumes in otherwise cereal dominated systems, perennial leys or grassland and regionally adapted varieties or variety mixtures. Crop diversification and/or additional diversification measures like variation of seeding time or changing cropping patterns have the potential to lead to higher and more stable yields, increase profitability and lead to greater resilience of agro-ecosystems in the long term. These practices have the potential to make cropping systems more diverse in space, time and genetics. Through a balanced portfolio approach to agricultural sustainability, cropping system performance can be optimized in multiple dimensions, including food and biomass production, profit, energy use, pest management, and environmental impacts.

Various environmental, food security and population health problems seem to be related to intensive agriculture production worldwide. This type of food production system impacted the loss of biodiversity and natural habitats; high usage rates of agrochemicals and natural resources had affected soil composition, human health, and nutritional plant quality in rural areas. Intercropping agroecological systems that respect agrobiodiversity could significantly benefit ecosystems, human health, and food security by modifying the nutritional profile and the content of some health-promoting bioactive compounds of the species cultivated in this system. Research on intercropping strategies focuses on the benefits they can offer to ecosystems and less on nutrient plant composition, leaving information scattered when this theme should be more studied due to the critical impact it could provide for human nutrition. Therefore, this review aims to collect viable details on the investigation status of nutrients and bioactive compounds profile in intercropping systems by verifying different regions of the world with unique mixed crops using plant species, along with the criteria for combining them, as well as the nutrients and bioactive compounds analyzed to show what intercropping systems can contribute to food availability and quality.

This scoping review examines global strategies and enterprises for sustainable solid waste management, with a focus on alternative landfilling approaches. The study collected and analyzed a significant number of documents from different regions, revealing Asia as the major contributor (for the collected documents) (48.7%), followed by North America (24.3%) and Europe (15.8%). Recycling emerged as the most effective alternative waste treatment method, representing 52.3% of the documented approaches, with industrial recycling (22.6%) and residential/non-residential recycling (20.2%) as prominent categories. Food waste was a significant concern across regions, constituting 21.4% of the collected documents. Composting was widely adopted (15.4%) due to its simplicity and benefits for gardening and soil improvement. Other methods like biogas extraction, reusing, raising awareness, incinerating, redistributing, reducing, and fermentation accounted for 13.1% cumulatively. The study highlights the need for tailored waste management solutions based on regional challenges and successful practices. Promoting recycling infrastructure, composting, and waste reduction approaches are crucial to achieving sustainable waste management aligned with SDGs. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing between regions are essential to improve inefficient waste management mechanisms. Integrating the findings into policymaking and industry practices can lead to a more sustainable future with reduced environmental impact.

In response to growing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable resources, researchers worldwide are examining how to develop materials that are environmentally friendly and that can be effectively recycled as they reach the end of their useful life. Particularly interesting are polyurethanes (PUs), a broad class of synthetic polymers utilized in several applications. However, because of the high energy consumption and unwanted chemical side reactions, their chemical recycling is challenging. A possible method for recovering PU is biological recycling, which breaks down complex compounds using microbes and enzymes. The biodegradation susceptibility of novel PUs using tree bark extractives as building blocks is examined in this work. The PUs were synthesized with partial or complete substitution of conventional fossil-based polyol (PEG 400) with hydrophilic extractives from black alder bark. Biodegradation experiments in sewage water and compost-enriched soil were conducted over 60 days. Results indicate increased biodegradation in PUs containing bark-based polyols, showing weight losses of up to 15.7% and 15.6% in sewage water and soil, respectively, compared to 9.6% and 12.4% for fossil-based PU. Analytical pyrolysis and FTIR analysis revealed more significant structural changes in extractives-containing PU materials after biodegradation compared to fossil-based PU, indicating the cleavage of covalent bonds mainly in carbohydrate and aromatic constituents of biopolyol. But the urethane bonds revealed the highest stability towards biodegradation compared to others linkages in both fossil-based and bio-based PU. The study demonstrates the potential of using bark-derived polyols to design PU materials suitable for biological recycling, contributing to more environmentally friendly waste management strategies. Further investigations are needed to optimize the conditions for the biological conversion of PU materials synthesized with bark-based polyols.

In this working paper we intended to address the emergence of what, potentially, will be a central concept in the very near future, Society 5.0 and that arises politically in (with) following the implementation of the concept of Industry 4.0. Society 5.0 proposes to deepen the potential of the individual-technology relationship in the promotion of the improvement of the quality of life of all people through a super smart society, is an extremely recent concept as a guiding social development that can have a profound impact in societies at all levels, such as quality of life and sustainability. It is a presentation that is based on very recent3 publications, but which also has a prospective component, which always generates some indetermination and uncertainty. Also, for this reason, it is a contribution that seeks above all else to contribute to this very urgent and necessary discussion.

This study presents the main ideas of sustainable cultural tourism development, a form of tourism associated with work discover and explore the culture of each region. It implies taking into account economic, environmental and socio-cultural aspects by tourism planning and management. The paper presents the historical background of the idea of sustainability, the factors that affect the sustainability of culture in tourism development. The author emphasizes the negative effects of tourism on cultural preservation that can be prevented by applying the principles of sustainable development; at the same time, propose solutions to balance economic development and cultural preservation.

Linking climate action with sustainable development goals (SDGs) might incentivize social and political support to forest conservation. However, further examination of the conceptual entry points for linking efforts for reducing forest-based emissions with those for delivering SDGs is required. This review paper aims to contribute to fulfilling this research need. It provides insights into the links between conserving forests for climate change mitigation and peacebuilding. Specifically, the paper examines opportunities to harness climate finance for conserving forests and achieving long-lasting peace. It does so via a literature review and the examination of the Orinoquia region of Colombia. Findings from the literature review suggest that harnessing climate finance for conserving forests and peacebuilding is, in theory, viable if activities are designed in accordance with social, institutional, and economic factors. Meanwhile, the Orinoquia region provides evidence that these two seemingly intractable problems are proposed to be solved together. At a time when efforts for reducing forest-based emissions are being designed and targeted at (post-) conflict areas in Colombia and elsewhere, the paper’s findings might demonstrate to government agencies — both environmental and non-environmental — the compatibility of programs aimed at reducing forest-based emissions with efforts relating to peacebuilding and sustainable food.

(1) In an era where sustainable behavior is increasingly crucial, understanding the discrepancy between individuals' sustainability-oriented values and their actual behaviors, known as the inner-outer gap, is vital. This study explores the potential of the Tripartite Structure of Sustainability (TSS) framework to address this gap within the context of sustainable education. By reviewing literature from the databases APA, ERIC, and Web of Science, we systematically examined factors influencing sustainable actions. (2) Employing a qualitative content analysis approach, we analyzed 56 articles over a 15-year period, identifying 83 factors that either bridge or reinforce the inner-outer gap. These factors were categorized within the TSS framework, which segments sustainability-oriented actions into individual, social, and self-transcendent domains, alongside their activation points: stable, situational, or automated. (3) Our analysis revealed that self-focused factors often reinforce the gap, suggesting a hindrance to sustainable behavior. Conversely, self-transcendent factors consistently bridged the gap, promoting sustainability. Social factors showed variable impacts based on the ethical and sustainable context they were placed in, suggesting that the social environment's orientation significantly influences sustainable behavior. (4) The study concludes that the TSS framework offers a promising approach to advancing sustainability in education by facilitating a paradigm shift towards holistic and interconnected perspectives. This shift is critical for fostering sustainable behaviors, thereby contributing to the field of educational psychology and offering practical implications for educators aiming to nurture a sustainable future.

The environmental and social sustainability of seafood is jeopardized by rampant illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Regulations implemented by fishing countries and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations are insufficient to combat illegal fishing; complementary efforts from the consumer end of the supply chain are essential. Despite the growing reliance on imported seafood globally, only four market states have implemented legislation to regulate the legality of seafood products from other countries. We provide an overview of the existing import regulations to address the widespread confusion about the structure and scope of these measures. We propose eight key design criteria for more effective seafood import policies, emphasizing the need for a centralized, fully electronic catch documentation and import monitoring system with automated fraud checks and a broad scope of species covered. The Australian government is currently developing its new seafood import policy and has the opportunity to design a world-leading system that encourages multilateral cooperation to help combat illegal fishing. Through the implementation of import regulations that address key flaws in existing frameworks, market states like Australia can foster a more cohesive and effective front against illegally sourced seafood, improving the sustainability of global fisheries.

Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTDs) are caused by a wide variety of phytopathogenic fungal species that compromise grapevine productivity and wine quality. Each year they lead to major economic losses. Most GTD treatments currently available on the market are chemical-based and environ-mentally harmful. Given that one of the goals proposed by the European Green Deal is to develop sustainable agriculture which does not harm the environment, reduces pesticide use, and pro-motes rural area economies, an alternative to those treatments may be the use of elicitors such as oligosaccharides from fungal organisms. Indeed, many studies have confirmed that oligosaccha-rides play important roles in activating plants' innate immunity. Mannans are one possible type of such oligosaccharides. The present work analysed Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Tempranillo and cv. Airén) leaves and grapes to evaluate their physiological and molecular response to GTDs and how this response might be conditioned using different concentrations of mannans as elicitors. It was found that mannan addition to diseased vines was more positive for the leaves than for the grapes. In general, mannans increased the expression levels of chalcone synthase (CHS1, CHS3), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in healthy leaves of both varieties. In diseased leaves, CHS3 and PAL decreased in both varieties, while CHS1 and PPO increased in Tempranillo but not in Airén. In the grapes, the expression pat-terns of the genes studied varied greatly due to the development of the disease. The mannan treatment seemed to reduce the oxidative stress caused by GTDs, although this response depend-ed on the variety and on the plant's phytosanitary status.

Investors are currently obliged to take ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) issues into consideration as part of their fiduciary duty. As such, it becomes increasingly important to identify sustainable investments that hold financial value as well. A sector where this is especially underdeveloped is real estate. This has a lot to do with the obfuscated conceptualization of ESG. The article identifies key gaps in literature and practice, and provides a framework to further the understanding of how ESG factors can add societal and financial value in the real estate sector. A key premise of the article is that the user in the building is grossly overlooked. Drawing on insights from behavioral social science and environmental psychology, the paper explains the role of the user in improving buildings’ ESG, also taking into account the investment value. To conclude, the article makes the case that the transition to user-centered smart real estate is the solution to improving both the environmental (E) and social (S) sustainability of buildings, as well as their investment value. Therefore, practitioners and academics are encouraged to critically evaluate and contextualize the ESG framework they are using, as well as the extent to which users are considered and smart technology is employed.

When examining the crucial role of civic competence in fostering sustainable societies, economies, and ecosystems, its significance for cultivating responsible and engaged citizens in our ever more interconnected global landscape must be recognized. Notably, education influences the development of civic competence throughout the learning experience at all levels of education. This research aims to explore the evolution of students’ self-assessment in terms of civic competence and its three sub-competences. The objective is to comprehend the present status of students’ self-assessments and explore their potential impact on the formation of a sustainable society. Data were collected for this study using an assessment tool elaborated in the ESF project “Development and Implementation of the Education Quality Monitoring System” for students’ generic competences. The tool, presented in a digital form using the QuestionPro platform, measures six generic competences, including civic competence. A total of 1,166 bachelor students and 354 Master’s students participated in the study, representing 22 Latvian higher education institutions. The study’s findings indicate that civic competence in the sample is considerably lower than the other generic competences measured, with a greater dispersion of results. The results also highlight specific areas within universities that require improvement during the learning process to cultivate individuals who are sustainable and socially responsible members of society.

The multiple crises that the world is facing – climate change, COVID-19 and war have halted or reversed the progress of the world towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Using a case study of Dayalbagh, a locality in metropolitan Agra, India, and headquarters of the Radhasoami faith, we examine the potential benefits of employing agroecology to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The active, disciplined and cooperative community-based lifestyle followed in Dayalbagh with a strong focus on agriculture and service demonstrates how most of the SDGs can be achieved. It offers lessons for policy makers in terms of focus areas for policy support and reaching the last, lowest, least and the lost.

Plant-microbial interactions are very crucial for the terrestrial ecosystem. At the rhizospheric, phyllospheric and endospheric regions, these interactions occur through different signalling pathways and play a pivotal role as they strengthen the plant defence mechanism against pathogen attacks and other stresses. A better knowledge of these relationships will help to develop novel solutions for sustainable agriculture and safeguarding the global food supply in the context of climate change and mounting environmental concerns. This chapter emphasises the role of the microbiome in providing resistance to plants against various environmental stresses and aiding in their improved adaption. This chapter also underscores the impact of the microbiome in providing resilience to plants under changing climatic scenarios.

Italian floriculture is facing structural changes. Possible options to maintain competitiveness of the involved companies include promotion of added values, from local productions to environmental sustainability. To quantify value and benefits of cleaner production processes and choices, a holistic view is necessary, and could be provided by life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Previous studies on ornamental products generally focused on data from one company or a small sample. The aim of this study was a gate-to-gate life cycle assessment of two ornamental species (Cyclamen persicum Mill. and Pelargonium ×hortorum Bailey) using data from a sample of 20 companies belonging to a floriculture district in Treviso, Veneto region. We also assessed the potential benefits for the environmental impact of the selected species of alternative management choices regarding plant protection and reuse of composted waste biomass. Life cycle impact assessment showed the higher impact scores for the zonal geranium, mainly as a consequence of greenhouse heating with fossil fuels. This factor, along with higher uniformity of production practices and technological level of equipment, translated in lower variability observed in comparison with cyclamen production, which shows a wider results range, in particular for eutrophication, acidification and human toxicity potentials. The application of integrated pest management had significant benefits in terms of impact reduction for acidification and human toxicity of cyclamen, while reduced use of mineral nutrients through compost amendment of growing media resulted in a reduced eutrophication potential. The achievable benefits for zonal geranium were not observable because of the dominant contribution of energy inputs.

Textile and clothing is one of the most important industrial sectors, not only due to the significant number of jobs generated, but also because it addresses one of the people’s fundamental needs (clothing). It is, however, a sector with a huge environmental impact, all over the world, and also an important social impact, especially in developing countries. Sustainability in the Textile & Clothing value chain is a known issue, concerning both environmental, and economical-social facets of sustainability. One way to improve sustainability in this sector is by measuring the environmental, economic and social impacts of value chain activities and, ultimately, computing an Environmental and Circular score for each batch of textile and clothing product, and an Economical and Social score for each involved firm, reflected in their products. The consumer will then have the opportunity and responsibility for selecting products with the least negative environmental, economical and social impact. This article presents the results of STVgoDigital project - PPS1, developed in Portugal with the aim of implementing the traceability of textile and clothing products, boosting sustainability in this sector, and preparing the ground for the implementation of the circular economy. More exactly, a blockchain-based textile and clothing value-chain traceability platform is presented, for tracing textile product lots and activities, along the value chain, classifying them with a score, which measures their environmental and social impact. The environmental, economic and social impact scores are based on a set of proposed indicators. The results are assessed through the presentation of a case study of a face towel (home textile) and a case study of a T-shirt (clothing).

Eco-innovation denotes developing green practices using environmentally friendly innovative approaches or technologies. Although, eco-innovation has been broadly applied in different in-dustries, such as low-carbon production and manufacturing, how to implement such innovation in education for sustainable development (ESD) has rarely been studied. Therefore, this research considered a reflective and cooperative learning approach to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education. A case study examined Wanluan Township of Pingtung County in southern Taiwan. Four departments’ students and teachers at Meiho University were involved in situated learning. Students of hospitality management played farm owners who en-gaged in organic agriculture to produce food and beverages. These agricultural products were farm-to-table, cooked and served for customers in a natural dining setting through the students’ teamwork. Students of tourism, sports & leisure management, and food science & nutrition played tourists in a self-guided travel context, who engaged in acts such as visiting buildings to understand heritage while observing that the houses were still in use a dwelling. This encouraged reflection on the importance of cultural preservation. According to the results from the role-play farm owners and tourists, eco-innovation can represent a sustainable marketing strategy for im-proving the local-community economy and can be implemented in a practical situation in STEAM. The goal of ESD for 2030 — societal transformation — is to foster students’ responsible behavior and attitudes in a personally authentic manner, thereby fostering sustainability learning and understanding.

⦁ Introduction: The challenging context, resulting from a post-pandemic scenario, wars, and various natural disasters, does not allow for the ideal assurance of efficiency in the Agri-food supply chain. ⦁ Research significance Currently, Agri-food supply chains and Reverse logistics show critical characteristics such as centralization, limited flexibility, distrust, bureaucratization, Border and Documentary Compliance and there are problems about efficiency, security, and safety Agri-Food. using the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework, with the purpose of achieving Sustainable Development Goals, promoting transparency, traceability, and non-linearization of the agri-food supply chain. ⦁ Methodology The methodology is combined, the first part uses Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) identifying 72 articles with the principal contribution in the literature. The second part combines the application of Supply Chain Operations References (SCOR) and the Blockchain Technology aiming to decentralize the linear Agri-food Supply Chain and Reverse logistics. ⦁ Results/findings The results revealed a transformation of the traditional Agri-food Supply Chain, transitioning from linear management to a circular one. Additionally, after application it is possible to know a new way to manage the Reverse Logistic with more decentralization, flexibility, traceability, and reducing the unnecessary activities, which include Border and Documentary Compliance. The originality of this research is the novel combination of SCOR Model and Blockchain showing a priority about the key activities that add value and come close to the Sustainable practices. ⦁ Conclusion / Implications Based on the results is possible to conclude that the synergy between Blockchain and SCOR Model enables a new way to manage the Agri-food supply chain, improving efficiency and reducing activities without value. Also, it is possible to ensure that the practices of Reverse Logistics are improved based on terms of cost and time, and the reduction of the exposition on the Defective Product Risk. ⦁ Social Implications This paper could enhance confidence in all operations of the Agri-food supply chain as there are numerous issues regarding the security and safety of food. Additionally, it will aid in diminishing unnecessary activities and inefficient resource consumption practices, thereby accomplishing objectives 2 "zero hunger", 9 "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure", and 12 "Responsible consumption and production", along with their respective indicators. ⦁ Practical implications Regarding the practical implications, this research could contribute to analyses of the application of technology Blockchain in different sectors and identify the possible limitations when the main objective is to apply it on a big scale.

The cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, causes direct damage to cassava in the tropics by feeding on the phloem of leaves, inducing leaf chlorosis and abscission which can result in considerable yield loss of up to about 50% on susceptible varieties. The pest is also known to impart its indirect damage through sooty mold formation. Most of the improved cassava varieties in Uganda were developed for CMD resistance and CBSD tolerance and little is known about their reaction to whitefly infestation. A study was conducted to evaluate the reaction of 24 improved cassava varieties which were sourced from 5 different countries in the region (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique) to whitefly infestation. These varieties were evaluated in three agro-ecological zones of Uganda, namely; North-Western Savannah Grassland, Lake Victoria Crescent and the Kyoga Plains in the second rains of 2016. Monthly data were taken on adult and nymph counts, whitefly and sooty mold damage, CMD and CBSD severities from 2 up-to 9 Months after planting (MAP). Results show that the whitefly population was highly significantly (P

The rapid urbanization growth of Dubai has resulted in connectivity issues, considered tre-mendous development pressure. That leads the local authorities to set a vision for Dubai as a 15-20 minute city by 2040. The 15-minute city, where all services can be reached with minimum travel time using sustainable mobility means (walking, cycling, or electric bik-ing). This paper aims to assess the current walkability situation within 15 minutes in the most significant parts of Dubai. This study considered 13 communities; Bur-Dubai and Business Bay were selected to represent the ungated communities, and eleven major gated communities were considered to indicate the gated ones. Those neighborhoods are selected based on the developments' socio-economic status and population density. The assessment considered 14 essential services, categorized into five categories: educational, health, social, entertainment, and religious. The research methodology conducted desktop research, site visits, interviewing random residents to collect data, and then using ArcGIS to assess walk-ability. The results show (64.5%) of the ungated neighborhoods population which access essential services within 15 minutes, while most of the gated communities residents must use cars to access many services. Furthermore, services distribution patterns and walkability infrastructures outside these developments should be developed to obtain higher walkability indicators.

Despite increased global interest in the impacts of natural disasters on tourism, less study executes exploring how tourism sensitivity is addressed at the destination level. Generating a link between tourism and natural disaster management is vital in places that rely heavily on tourism and are prone to natural hazards. Ranau, Sabah (Malaysia) is one of the disaster-prone tourists' destination area. Hence, this paper applies the case study of Ranau earthquake 2015 to explore tourism sensitivity towards natural disasters. A qualitative of in-depth interview is applied to acquire information needed from the Ranau tourism entrepreneurs and operators. To analyse the qualitative data, a thematic analysis is conducted. Overall findings show that tourism activity in Ranau are identified to be sensitive towards the 2015 earthquake with a significant percentage of sensitivity level on two elements. These elements are known as Source and Power. The Source element includes tourism products, size of business, development, and natural disasters management with a significant sensitivity compared to the Power element (social capital). This provides insight to the need of specific tourism system adaptation as response to the earthquake and considering the integration of natural disaster management into tourism development to enhance long term sustainability.

The New Zealand housing sector is experiencing rapid growth that boosts the national economy but also results in the loss of valuable resources. In line with the growth, the housing market for both residential and business purposes has been booming, as have house prices. To sustain the housing development, it is critical to accurately monitor and predict housing prices so as to support the decision-making process in housing sector. This study is devoted to applying a mathematical method to predict housing prices. The forecasting performance of two types of models: ARIMA and multiple linear regression analysis are compared. The ARIMA and regression models are developed based on a training-validation sample method. The results show that the ARIMA model generally performs better than the regression model. However, the regression model explores, to some extent, the significant correlations between house prices in New Zealand and the macro-economic conditions.

The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the challenges faced by business organizations implementing sustainable solutions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider Gulf Coast Countries (GCC) region. To this end, our study examines an academic theory supporting the implementation of responsible solutions to the market. Ultimately, the authors hope to inspire the reader to consider what he or she can do to ameliorate the existing challenges encountered by sustainable businesses. The analysis presented in this article implies that in recent markets, the implementation of the sustainability theory is essential for further development. The research project contributes to the increase of knowledge about corporate and organizational challenges related to running a responsible business, as well as challenges related to the application of environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable business practices. The research is currently limited to conceptual analysis, literature review and a survey conducted during the Sustainability Week 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Nevertheless, this is the first stage of the research project conducted by the research team in cooperation with enterprises that implement responsible solutions in many global markets, and in UAE market. The scope of the first stage of the study was limited to the analysis of data clarifying the concept of the model specified in the research. To prove the validity of the model it will be implemented and tested in cooperation with organizations participating in the research.

In the light of current justified international concerns about pollution caused by both greenhouse gases and by current agricultural practices, as well as the management of livestock manure, zeolite rocks with a prevalent zeolite content (a mineral endowed with peculiar chemical-physical properties), are widely used worldwide. They have a high extraction potential and represent an effective and scientifically proven means of pollution control. Moreover, based on the results of countless laboratory and field experiments, zeolitites (in particular Italian chabazite) rich in potassium (K) but low in sodium (Na) and with high drainage and water retention properties, have an effective potential for environmental protection, reduction of fertilizers and irrigation water, and increase of agronomic production. In agriculture and horticulture, in particular, the permanent correction of agricultural soils and growing media with appropriate amounts of zeolitites makes it possible to reduce the input of synthetic fertilizers and water as well, in order to substantially increase yields in quantity and quality. However, there are few scientific articles describing the use of zeolite in agriculture and its benefits for farmers. This review is aimed at gaining a better insight into the application of zeolitites in agriculture, particularly in difficult climatic situations, and to provide more information on how these minerals can ensure both the reduction of the use of fertilizers and the increase of plant protection. In addition, details and explanations are provided on the term 'zeolitite' used in order to ensure higher quality agricultural products.

The article presents a model for optimizing biomass supply chains using the linear programming framework integrated with a Geographic Information System. Based on the distance from a given type of biomass resource, its calorific value, price, and transportation costs, the model identifies the optimal source of biomass, allowing it to cover the demand for the required total energy value with the lowest possible costs. The case study includes the Połaniec power plant in southeastern Poland and potential sources of forest biomass and agricultural straw within 100 km of the plant. Unit costs of biomass varied depending on biomass availability and energy demands. For energy demand on the level of 1 PJ yearly, the lowest unit costs of biomass (4.08 €/MJ) were when all kinds of biomass were available, and the highest (5.47 €/MJ) was when only stacked wood was available. As energy demand increased, unit costs increased, and the ability to meet this demand with just one type of biomass decreased. The energy biomass sector can utilize the model to benefit both biomass producers and their final buyers.

In order to ensure the sustainability of the shipping industry and marine ecosystem of Montenegro, it is necessary that Montenegro becomes a full member of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) on Port State Control. The reasons for doing so are numerous: the full adoption of standards stipulated by the Memorandum in relation to ship control; continuous keeping the pace with and development of new standards in compliance with turbulent changes in the maritime industry and operation (including the increasing scope of maritime transport); decrease in the number of detained ships which meet the requirements stipulated in international conventions and elimination of substandard ships in perspective; prevention of environmental pollution, sea and port incidents. This justified endeavour is supported by the fact that Montenegro is one out of two countries in Europe that are not the full members of the Paris MoU. Additionally, in this context it is necessary to emphasise the fact that the marine ecosystem of Montenegro makes an integral part of the world ocean. Accordingly, the improvement of the quality of national legislation which is compliant with international requirements is an imperative which has positive implications on the regional and global sustainability.

In the quest for more sustainable urban landscape development, the concept of ‘green infrastructure’ (GI) has become central in policy documents and as a multifunctional general planning tool. GI is not however a simple and unambiguous solution. While there in policy documents are claims for more and connected GI, actual urban development takes another direction. The densifying imperative is hard to combine with an increased and more connected GI. This paper argues for a critical and diversified approach to the concept of GI, to facilitate its implementation in urban planning and management. While GI most often is seen as a common asset and a public good, the actual land use negotiations and management responsibilities cannot be limited to a public service discourse, but should address more clearly a variety of actors. Linguistic as well as spatial definitions of the two relevant dichotomies of ‘green-grey’ and ‘public-private’ are crucial in GI location, design, construction and management, it is argued. Overarching representations of GI will be needed, but also – and linked to it – a spatial storm water plan and an overall plan for public space. The development over time will need an intersectorial implementation and management program. Thus some of the GI intentions may be implemented in planning processes, some through reorganisation and redesign of public space, and some by agreements with landowners.

Building Country Resilience is a long-term process particularly in the hyper connected world we are living today; and depends on good governance and appropriate equilibrium of respect for people, planet and profits as well as avoiding depleting natural resources that end up affecting the biosphere. Hence represent a most needed Learning ability that may be seeing to be related to the process of Sustainable Development. So, this paper seeks to find best practices and a Ranking of Countries that may help as guides to foster Country Resilience. For this purpose, it was developed a World Resilience Index - WRI based on a Statistical Analysis with updated data from 108 Countries divided into 3 Groups: American Countries – AMER (20 Countries), Advanced Economies - AVECO (22 Countries) mostly from Europe and OTHER (66 Countries); and using a set of Synthetic Variables like the Social Progress Index – SPI, the Environmental Performance Index – EPI, and the Sustainable Development Goals Index – SDGI, besides some related to Governance and the World Risk Index – WRI.

The drastically increasing amount of plastic waste is causing an environmental crisis that requires innovative technologies for recycling post-consumer plastics to achieve waste valorization while meeting environmental quality goals. Biocatalytic depolymerization mediated by enzymes has emerged as an efficient and sustainable alternative for plastic treatment and recycling. A variety of plastic- degrading enzymes have been discovered from microbial sources. Meanwhile, protein engineering has been exploited to modify and optimize plastic-degrading enzymes. This review highlights the recent trends and up-to-date advances in mining novel plastic-degrading enzymes through state-of-the-art omics-based techniques and improving the enzyme catalytic efficiency and stability via various protein engineering strategies. Future research prospects and challenges are also discussed

Using the sustainable livelihoods analytical framework, adaptability of cattle raising to multiple stressors (e.g. climate change and market conditions) in the dry tropics of Chiapas, Mexico was evaluated. Three case studies located in the Frailesca region of Chiapas were analyzed: (I) peasant cattle raising in a rural village in the Frailesca Valley; (II) peasant cattle raising in a rural village in a natural protected area in the Frailesca Highlands; and (III) holistic cattle raising by farmers with private land ownership in the Frailesca Valley. Adaptability was evaluated using an index on a scale of one to a hundred; average values were: case I = 20.9 ± 1.4; case II = 32.1 ± 1.8; and case III = 63.6 ± 3.5. In order to increase farms adaptability and reduce the vulnerability of cattle raising families, there is a need to modify public policy to take into account the conditions of the most vulnerable farmers (cases I and II). Given the economic, environmental, and social context of Mexico´s dry tropics, establishing ecological or organic cattle raising and silvopastoral systems may reduce the vulnerability of farm families and increase their level of adaptability of their farms to multiple stressors.

The contribution of academics and researchers to the discussion around sustainable rural development planning and its impact on rural communities has grown exponentially in recent years. Understanding trends in sustainable rural development research requires considering the different factors involved and affecting people from a holistic approach. This review examines, through bibliometric studies, the scientific knowledge generated on sustainable rural development planning in the last 50 years, analyzing 6,895 articles published in journals between 1970 and 2020. The results reveal the existence of three clusters and an important growth is observed to respond to the continuous needs in relation to sustainable rural development. This research shows the evolution of a new approach for the planning of sustainable rural development projects in postmodernity: Working with People (WWP). This WWP model, as a conceptual framework from social learning has been validated as a novel proposal in numerous contexts. The bibliometric analysis shows an evolution "From Putting the Last first" to "Working with People in Rural Development" research and the contributions of influential teachers such as Chambers and Cernea. These bibliometric analyses demonstrate the correct approach of WWP model, and open new fields of research in the planning of sustainable rural development projects.

The prefabricated houses supply in Chile was analyzed from web platforms, public market, social media, and Internal Revenue Service, using indicators according to regulatory compliance, complexity, and sustainability attributes, which are essential in advancing to industrialization, and climate change adaptability. The 80% is concentrated in construction, and manufacturing companies, 83% of them are legally registered,with the capacity of meeting technical requirements. To delve deeper into this, 54% has low level, 35% medium level, and 11% high level. The sustainability was measured in 5 levels: 2.7% (1), 37,5% (2), 58,6% (3), 1,1% (4) and 0% (5), which is the highest one. This attribute was determined as the weakest one. The proposed evaluation, based on indicators by attribute, is objective and relevant to consideration since there is still a lack of capacity to supply the housing deficit, and there is not attributes associated to security in habitability to address the climate change, and environment threats, with a lack of action by the state to promote this productive sector, therefore focusing more in provide products, than taking responsibility of the site, not advancing to become a real state agency, which could be improved if management, and regulation were incorporated.

The production of concrete and the manufacturing process of cement results in a significant carbon footprint, contributing to a large portion of global emissions in structures such as buildings, bridges, roads, and tunnels. Although concrete is an ideal building material that is durable and long-lasting, it can be susceptible to micro-cracks. These micro-cracks in concrete can allow water and chlorine ions to penetrate the structure, leading to the degradation of concrete and corrosion of the reinforcement, posing an unacceptable level of structural risk. Self-healing concrete is not a new material in the construction industry but can be characterized by the capability of concrete to repair its cracks autogenously or autonomously. Recent advancements in concrete research and technology have given us a better understanding of concrete's healing properties. Self-healing concrete combines durability with sustainability while offsetting the high carbon output of concrete manufacturing and production and associated life-cycle costs. Technologies such as microbially-induced calcite (calcium carbonate) precipitation (MICP), shape memory polymers, encapsulation methods, hydration, and swelling agents can potentially reduce carbon emissions while enhancing resilience and longevity. This paper examines these technologies and their applications in the construction industry by comprehensively reviewing the literature and available case studies. The study concluded that there are promising advancements and innovations in concrete, particularly when improving upon the autogenous healing properties. The recommendations for future research include exploring more ways to bring the concrete industry and cement manufacturing toward net zero carbon emissions.

The maritime economy is at the forefront of unprecedented sustainability challenges. Addressing ecological externalities in port operations supports the decarbonization goals of the United Nations (UN) Climate Action program and port city transition towards resilient and sustainable urban units. This research brings out an empirical assessment of seaport performance from an eco-environmental point of sustainability with a non-parametric analysis. Most common indicators from the cross-sectoral Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) database for 21 world’s busiest seaports are used for the analysis. This research integrates four different models with inputs: CO2 emission, electricity consumption, waste, and water consumption, and; outputs: employee, revenue, and container throughput. Projection pathways are established for inefficient seaports to improve sustainability performance. The analysis shows that the seaports of Qingdao and Cartagena as the most sustainably performing seaports under the selected maritime sustainability indicators. This research supports port managers in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of their operations and helps frame strategic policies toward achieving overall sustainability in the maritime industry across SDG 14 (marine ecosystem) and SDG 13 (Climate mitigation) goals of the 2030 Urban Agenda.

The fast pace development of the Internet and the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic have impacted considerably on the educative sector; encouraging the constant transformation of the teaching-learning strategies and more in technological areas as Educational Software Engineering. Web programming, a fundamental topic in Software Engineering and Cloud-based applications, deals with various critical challenges in education, such as learning continuous emerging technological tools, plagiarism detection, generating innovative learning environments, among others. Continual change and more with the current digitization becomes a challenge for teachers and students who cannot depend on traditional educational methods. The article presents a sustainable teaching-learning methodology for web programming courses in Engineering Education using a project-based integrated approach adaptable to the continuous web technological advances. The methodology has been developed and improved for 9 years, 15 groups, and 3 different universities. Our results demonstrate that the methodology is 100% adaptable with new technologies that might arise; it also presents the advantages of avoiding plagiarism in the best case and a personalized induction for every specific student in the learning process.

Concrete, as one of the essential construction materials is responsible for a vast amount of emissions. Using recycled materials and gray water can considerably contribute to the sustainability aspect of concrete production. Thus, finding a proper replacement for fresh water, in the production of concrete, is significant. The usage of industrial wastewater, instead of water in the concrete can is considered in this paper. In this study, 450 concrete samples are produced with different amounts of wastewater. The mechanical parameters such as slump, compressive strength, water absorption, tensile strength, electrical resistivity, rapid freezing, half-cell potential, and appearance are investigated. The results showed that the usage of industrial wastewater does not significantly change the main characteristics of concrete. Although, increasing the concentration of the wastewater can decrease durability and strength features nonlinearly.

With the rise of serious problems of urbanization and climate change, the call for intelligent and sustainable urban development is increasing nowadays. Therefore, smart cities have become a hot topic in academia, industry, and politics, resulting in the emergency of numerous smart city programs and projects. This study selected 26 evaluation frameworks proposed in recent years or large-scale research projects that have lasted for many years and analyzed and compared them from the 7 aspects of generalizability, comprehensiveness, availability, flexibility, scientific, transparency, and interpretability. The result indicates that the current smart city evaluation framework still needs to be upgraded and updated. These standards can not only guide the development direction and hotspot of the future smart city evaluation model but also serve as a guide for model demanders to test results and an effective tool to verify the framework designed by themselves.

As climate changes, our daily life has been much influenced by abnormal meteorological phenomena such as heavy rainfall, heat wave, heavy snowfall, and fine dust. Atmospheric air quality is worsening day by day and indoor air quality is also affected by interconnected daily activities throughout the inside and outside of buildings and houses. Nowadays, pollutants from various sources are emitted, transformed by sunlight, vapor, and ozone and transported into the city from country to country. Due to these reasons, there have been high demands to monitor the transportation of particulate matters and improve air quality. Monitoring of pollutants and identification of type and its concentration enables us to track and control its generation and consequently find out the solution. However, monitoring of pollutants, especially, particulate matter generation and its transportation is still not fully operated in atmospheric air due to its open nature and meteorological factors. Even though indoor air is relatively easy to monitor and control than outdoor in the aspect of specific volume and contaminant source, but it still needs to consider the meteorological parameters because indoor air is not fully separated from the outdoor air flow and contaminants transportation. In this study, optical approach using spectral sensor was attempted to reveal the feasibility of wavelength and chromaticity values of reflected light from specific particles. From the analysis of reflected light of various particulate matters according to different liquid additives, parameter studies were performed to investigate which experimental conditions can contribute to the enhanced selective sensing of particulate matters. Five different particulate matters such as household dust, soil, talc powder, gypsum powder and yellow pine tree pollen were utilized and observed to elucidate the relationship between property of particulate matter and detected light spectrum. Applicable approaches to assist current particle matter sensors and improve the selective sensing were suggested.

A comparative study of organic and conventional farming systems was conducted in almond orchards to determine the effect of management practices on their fungal and bacterial communities. Soils from two orchards under organic (OM) and conventional (CM), and nearby nonmanaged soil (NM) were analyzed and compared. Several biochemical and biological parameters were measured (soil pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, organic material, total phosphorous, total DNA, and fungal and bacterial DNA copies). Massive parallel sequencing of regions from fungal ITS rRNA and bacterial 16S genes was done to characterize their diversity in the soil. We report a larger abundance of bacteria and fungi in soils under OM, with a more balanced fungi:bacteria ratio, compared to bacteria-skewed proportions under CM and NM. The fungal phylum Ascomycota corresponded to around the 75% relative abundance in the soil, whereas for bacteria, the phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota and Bacteroidota integrated around 50% of their diversity. Alpha diversity was similar across practices, but beta diversity was highly clustered by soil management. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSE) identified bacterial and fungal taxa associated to each type of soil management. Analyses of fungal functional guilds revealed 3-4 times larger abundance of pathogenic fungi under CM compared to OM and NM treatments. Among them, the genus Cylindrocarpon was more abundant under CM and Fusarium under OM.

Plastics play a pivotal role in the principles of a circular economy, where their effective recycling post-utilization, leading to economic value generation and minimal environmental harm, is crucial for achieving sustainable management. Extensive research has delved into the incorporation of waste plastics in concrete, showcasing promising outcomes with a myriad of advantages..The escalating volume of plastic waste is becoming a pressing issue, contributing to environmental pollution, particularly in densely populated cities and towns in Nigeria such as Delta, Aba, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Enugu, Benue, and Ogun. These urban centers experience high consumption of goods packaged or sealed in plastic materials. Tourist destinations are also affected as large quantities of plastic waste are improperly disposed of or incinerated, resulting in environmental contamination and air pollution. Efforts to address this growing concern are crucial to safeguarding the environment and public health in these regions.Therefore, it is imperative to find effective ways to utilize these waste plastics. By cleaning low-density polyethylene bags and combining them with sand at specific proportions, high-strength bricks can be produced. These bricks not only exhibit thermal and sound insulation properties but also help in pollution control and cost reduction in construction projects. This innovative approach not only addresses the issue of accumulating plastic waste, a non-biodegradable pollutant, but also offers a sustainable solution to manage plastic waste while contributing to the construction industry's efficiency and environmental protection., By incorporating waste plastic and nylon into brick production, we not only reduce the amount of sand extracted from our natural resources like rivers and seas but also utilize the surplus plastic waste that is currently discarded. This research focuses on creating eco-friendly bricks by incorporating molten plastic, nylon, and plastic bottles in varying percentages (0 to 15% by weight) along with 5kg of fly ash. The experimental results from this study will shed light on the feasibility and benefits of using these materials in brick manufacturing, highlighting the potential of sustainable construction practices that minimize environmental impact and resource depletion, The experimental process involved utilizing cement and sand to complete the brick composition, with curing conducted underwater for 29 days followed by baking at temperatures between 100°C to 120°C for 2 hours. The resulting eco-friendly bricks exhibited key characteristics such as being lightweight, porous, having low thermal conductivity, and displaying appreciable mechanical strength. Interestingly, the compressive strengths of these bricks, post the addition of waste plastic and nylon, were found to be comparable to that of conventional bricks. Additionally, these eco-friendly bricks showcased reduced water absorption capacity compared to regular bricks, offering a promising alternative for sustainable and efficient construction practices.The eco-friendly bricks made from A, B, C, and D using 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% plastic/nylon waste showed comprehensive strengths of 19.5 ,19.46, 20.3, and 21.1 respectively, with corresponding water absorption percentages of 0.34, 0.25, 0.22, 0.20, and 0.085. The efflorescence values were lower than those of normal bricks. These bricks are likely to enhance energy efficiency in buildings and provide economic value to manufacturers, thereby promoting a sustainable ecosystem for plastic waste management with the involvement of all stakeholders.

Geopolitical situations, such as the Ukraine–Russia war, the Israel–Hamas war, and pandemics, can disrupt supply chains, such as the rerouting of oil tankers via South Africa to avoid the impact of the Israel–Hamas conflict. These events will probably occur again, but they are black swan events and difficult to predict. How can firms manage these events to minimise disruption to their supply chains? This paper proposes that a blockchain architecture has the potential to build resilience in supply chains and give them the flexibility to withstand the challenges of black swan events. The decentralisation ability of blockchain technology enables separation of the discrete elements of a sustainable supply chain so contagion does not impact the overall sustainable supply chain. To achieve flexibility in a sustainable supply chain ecosystem requires governance, leadership, and management. Also, artificial intelligence (AI), in conjunction with blockchain, is a technology that can enhance the flexibility and resilience of the supply chain. Thus, AI can act as a controller, co-ordinator, and an integrator in sustainable supply chain systems.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to reverse the essential benefits of antibiotics not only in humans, where decades of advancements in healthcare outcomes are endangered but also in the food production industry. The emergence of AMR in the pre- and post-harvest systems presents a serious risk of contamination or infection directly by antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs) for farmers, agricultural practitioners, abattoir workers, food handlers and their associated contacts as well as consumers at the end of the food chain. Any breach in the food safety barrier leading to the emergence and spread of ARB and ARGs has severe multi-sectorial implications and threatens to reverse decades of human and animal health improvements globally. As the world moves towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), food safety is a critical element to improve and strengthen global health, security and ensure sustainable development. This paper presents the challenge of AMR through the lens of food safety, by highlighting its multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional implications not only the SDG on food safety but also on food security, public health, animal health and welfare, the environment and climate and socio-economic development.

As reflected in the sustainable development goals (SDG), sustainable development is a multi-dimensional concept integrating political, ethical, economic and other factors. Reports from the UN decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) suggest that universities are more engaged with sustainable development in higher education (HESD). Despite promising signals about student awareness of sustainable development, survey studies suggest student engagement and knowledge is limited in addressing social and economic factors. This study evaluated how UK students enrolled in postgraduate taught sustainability degrees responded to the multi-dimensional issues of sustainable development. Consolidating work by Baker on the multi-dimensional ladder of sustainable development, this study piloted a 39 question 7-point Likert scale survey with a cohort of UK taught postgraduate (MSc, MPhil) students (n=121, Cronbach Alpha 0.796, n=39 Questions). Subsequent removal of questions duplicating content and replacement of missing values produced better results (0.810 Cronbach Alpha, n=30 Questions). The study found this cohort able to recognize and respond to the multiple challenges of strong and weak sustainable development issues. Results also suggest that future studies could limit the number of questions Results and qualitative comments from the survey suggest, however, students resist the idea of strong interventions in social, political and economic life.

This study examines the attitudes of healthcare organizations and employees in the Greek Healthcare System towards climate change and the influence of management in promoting environmentally friendly practices. A questionnaire was sent electronically to the 7 Health Districts of Greece and private sector healthcare workers associated with the researchers, while the sample consisted of service (administration, nursing, technical, and medical). The main findings indicate that public sector health organizations are lacking in motivating employees to adopt "green" actions during their work. Communication and information dissemination from administration to healthcare professionals were identified as significant challenges, resulting in participants being unsure of how to respond, in contrast to the private sector which showed slightly more positive results. Moreover, the study highlights a positive association between education level and voluntary green behaviors of employees. This research emphasizes the urgency to confront climate change in conjunction with the principles of Organizational Behavior within the Greek Healthcare System.

The textile processing sector is accountable for the extensive utilisation and pollution of freshwater resources. Due to heightened consumer awareness of environmental legislation regarding freshwater contamination, the textile sector is compelled to review and improve their current water consumption practices. Foan dyeing technique is a highly promising alternative that has the ability to contribute to a more sustainable future. This review paper discussed the current state of foam dyeing technology, highlighting its advantages in terms of re-duced consumption of water and energy, as well as minimal usage of dyes and chemicals compared to conventional methods. The foam configuration allows for more effective application of dyes. As a result, there is a decrease in dye consumption and a reduction in processing time. The process is environmen-tally sustainable since it significantly reduces water pollution. Furthermore, foam dyeing method consumes less energy due to its lower dying temperature need compared to conventional processing technology. Additionally, this paper highlights the continued investigation of foam dyeing on many types of textile substrates (such as fibres, yarns, and fabric) and compositions including cotton, polyester, and their mixtures. In addition, the techno-economic comparison of foam dyeing and conventional dyeing is also given. This review paper addi-tionally endorses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6, clean water and sanitation) by examining the preservation of usable water and the decrease in wastewater discharge through foam dyeing technology. Lastly, the potential advantages of foam dyeing in terms of significantly reducing water consump-tion and the generation of waste in the textile industry were also addressed.

One of the issues facing modern society, whatever the socio-economic level of the communities involved, is the development of sustainable strategies in the management of sludge/biosolids. Today, it is imperative to replace solutions aimed at simply “disposing of” with those oriented towards “maximizing recovery benefits”. It is desirable that agricultural use remains the main option in sludge/biosolids management, but to ensure effective and safe agronomic benefits, correctly fulfill the legal requirements, and build stakeholder and public confidence, rigorous and sustainable procedures need to be estab-lished. The development of realistic and enforceable regulation is crucial as it represents the right bal-ance between the different aspects of a coordinated and effective management. Furthermore, it is to recognize that regulation needs to be supported by standardized character-ization procedures and guidelines of good practices, because well-defined procedures allow le-gal requirements to be correctly and uniformly met, thus ensuring reliable comparison of re-sults obtained under different conditions. In this article, main aspects to consider for a sustainable application of this management practice are discussed, together with the parameters that need to be evaluated for the characterization of sludge/biosolids, according to the various aspects related to the agricultural use.

Good governance in natural resource management (NRM) is one of the most challenging issues in developing countries that often inappropriately embedded in national policies and political agendas. It is, in fact, even more important for countries like Bangladesh with exceptionally high pressure and dependence on its natural resources for sustaining rural livelihoods. Globally, nowadays, good governance is considered as one of the key factor for achieving the goal of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Bangladesh, of late has responded to that global zeal by involving local communities in the management of country’s declining forest and other natural resources. The colonial legacy of the forestry sector of Bangladesh was planned and, managed as interim projects through donors’ prescriptions. Thus, institutions, management processes and conservation outcomes were problematic. The conventional approach adopted by colonial and post-colonial regimes for forest management also proved to be inefficient due to its top-down management system. The absolute dependency on donor support, and their prescription sometimes worsened the situation both ecologically and socially. Global, regional and local trends supported the need for a different dimension in the governance paradigms. The introduction of a pluralistic approach, known as co-management in protected areas (PAs) is an example of an attempt whereby shared governance mechanism are implemented to attain the desired goals of conservation that will also address the livelihoods and aspirations of communities living in and around PAs of the country. However, in designing future forest and PA regimes the concern of the external aid support and attached conditions remain a reality that needs to be addressed. Adequate attention should be given to our vanishing biodiversity, culture and community livelihoods through devising an appropriate governance mechanism recognizing and supporting local rights, access and participation in the environmental management. It is now time to mainstream the adhoc nature of governance according to our national conservation strategy and policy frameworks in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Bangladesh NRM sector addressing the human and community right of people in the specific context of forest protected areas management.

Fighting corruption and enhancing tax compliance through digital public services represent key factors for increasing sustainable development in Romania. We argue that fighting corruption may increase the level of sustainable development, through digital pubic services. Using digital public services leads to the increase of the level of tax compliance, because entrepreneurs will feel more confident and responsible and they will decide to better comply. Tax regulations can affect the level of tax compliance through the additional costs they generate. The discussion is based on the consideration of the costs generated by compliant behavior and we explain how such costs influence the entrepreneurs’ decision in the fiscal environment. If the costs are higher, entrepreneurs will take evasive initiatives and will refuse to comply. Among the numerous tools developed to fight corruption, the use of communication technologies has recently been researched and there is still need for further research in the Romanian economic environment. The use of digital public services reduces costs for entrepreneurs and increases their confidence in state institutions due to higher levels of transparency. We argue for increasing sustainable development in Romania through digital public services, thus fighting corruption and enhancing tax compliance.

Local Authorities have significant tourism planning responsibilities and can benefit from evidence-based approaches. Qualitative interviews with 29 Local Authorities identified impediments to adopting indicators. Key barriers included more knowledge of indicator systems, training in using systems and understanding sustainability value and governance issues. However, transitioning to sustainable tourism through monitoring requires efficient resourcing of Local Authorities. Statutory adoption of indicators may be needed to enable evidence-based planning and policymaking. More informed planning approaches can help destinations respond to tourism issues and sustainability threats. Findings have implications for facilitating indicator implementation and evidence-based planning in other tourism destinations internationally.

Globally, the need for sustainable urban development has never been more urgent than now. This is because estimates indicate that more than half of the global population will be living in urban areas by 2050, with South Africa estimated at 80%. This paper focuses on socio-economic nuances that impede sustainable urban development, as well as the strategies that can accelerate sustainable urban development in South Africa. Through a literature review methodology, the analysis identified the following issues as impediments to sustainable urban development in South Africa, informal settlements and businesses, lack of consultations with urban citizens, unresolved apartheid legacies, violence, crime and insecurity, and migration and immigration intricacies in South Africa. The paper also established the strategies to accelerate sustainable urban development as working with informality and against it, promoting inclusivity and access to resources, formulating, and accelerating policy reforms, investing in rural areas and towns, and finally investing in superior technology and innovation. These findings imply that there is a need to seek alternative development models and approaches, to address social challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and poor housing, aspects that impact negatively on urban development planning and sustainable development. This is because the major challenges to sustainable urban development are human-related challenges, that need social and economic solutions. There is also a need to reduce rural-urban migration by developing rural towns to ease pressure in major towns which are already spilling over.

Published data or available literature on sustainable building plan-design, construction, performance, and renovation criteria have covered some stages or some parts of each stage. These data usually have been published partially in many different papers―there have not been any papers that published these data together. Hence, this paper aims to collectively review these data and publish them together. The collection and review of these data were carried out by our twenty-five team members who specialized in sustainable urban, architectural, and civil engineering and construction management. The gathered and reviewed outputs were combined and validated based on a general group consensus. This consensus decision-making proceeded through two major group meetings with several follow-up meetings. The first major meeting was to combine and improve the gathered reviewed sustainable building criteria for Cambodia. The second major meeting was to validate the improved reviewed sustainable building criteria for Cambodia. The several follow-up meetings were to discuss the relevance and importance of the validated data “criteria and their classifications and descriptions” in all stages and more focused on their importance and applicability to Cambodia. The collective reviewed data in this paper would be useful to researchers in the fields. They could also be useful collective knowledge and information for policymakers from governmental agencies and development partners, particularly for sustainable building and construction companies.

This paper explores the critical role of the banking sector in facilitating the ecological transition through the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors. By analyzing the intersection of ESG considerations and access to credit globally, the study highlights how banks can catalyze sustainable investments while balancing financial risks. Using a systematic literature review and k-Means clustering analysis, we assess the global landscape of credit access, emphasizing the implications of ESG adoption on financial stability and economic growth. The findings suggest that while ESG integration presents challenges, it offers significant opportunities for banks to enhance their competitiveness and foster resilient financial systems. The paper concludes by proposing policy recommendations aimed at improving the incorporation of ESG factors within credit risk management and promoting sustainable finance.

The Semiconductor and Liquid Assisted Photothermal Effect (SLAPE)” concept was employed for the first time in this study to generate electricity from sunlight. In SLAPE process, a semiconducting material is immersed completely in a stable organic solvent to capture the complete sunlight reaching the earth surface and to turn it into the heat-energy that can be eventually converted into electricity by using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) with the help of a heat engine and electric generator. In this investigation, the SLAPE solar panels were fabricated with two top and bottom chambers separated by thin thermally conducting metal sheet (Cu or Al). Multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (SPVCs) in conjunction with -butyrolactone were employed to capture the sunlight, and a low-boiling point dichloromethane (DCM) solvent was employed as a working fluid to capture the in situ generated heat energy from sunlight. Upon exposure to the natural sunlight, the 21 numbers of SPVCs together with about 2 litres -butyrolactone containing one square meter area SLAPE solar panel has generated about 17 V when integrated with a laboratory model reciprocally moved steam engine and a custom-made electric generator, whereas, a commercial SPVC solar panel with 21 number SPVCs generate a maximum voltage of 11 V. The theoretical background governing the SLAPE solar panels, the necessity for their invention and the proof of concept of SLAPE solar panels have been thoroughly presented and discussed and established in this article.

Developments in technology have enabled envisioning the derivation of materials and products from renewable biomass, as an alternative to finite fossil-based resource consumption. Therefore, bioeconomy is regarded as an opportunity for sustainable economic growth. Countries are formulating strategies in accordance with their goals to attain from bioeconomy. Proper measurement, monitoring and reporting of the outcomes of these strategies is crucial for long-term success. This study aims to critically evaluate the national methods used for the measurement, monitoring and reporting of bioeconomy contribution to the total economy. For this purpose, research and surveys have been conducted on selected countries (Argentina, Germany, Malaysia, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United States). The results reveal that the bioeconomy targets set up in the strategies often reflect country’s priorities and comparative advantages. However, comprehensive approaches to measure and monitor bioeconomy progress are frequently lacking. Most countries only measure the contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), turnover and employment of the sectors included in their bioeconomy definition, which may provide an incomplete picture. In addition, this study identifies the mismatch between the targets and measurement methods, as the environmental and social impacts of bioeconomy are often foreseen, but not measured. It is concluded that existing global efforts towards a sustainable bioeconomy monitoring can be strengthened and leveraged to measure progress towards sustainable goals.

Although tourism seasonality significantly influences the livelihood activities of rural tourism households, limited research has explored how they adapt their livelihood strategies to achieve optimal outcomes. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design that combines thematic analysis and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we investigated the relationship between the livelihood strategies and outcomes of rural tourism households under the influence of tourism seasonality at the Guilin Karst World Heritage Site. The results indicate that livelihood strategies adopted by rural tourism households include "Tourism Persistence,” "Seasonal Employment,” and “Seasonal Farming” during the off-season, and “Extending Working Hours,” “Increasing Staffing Input,” and “Increasing Capital Input” during the peak season. Furthermore, these strategies form flexible combinations to realize livelihood outcomes, with “Extending Working Hours” being a necessary condition. The findings also revealed that the four configurations of seasonal livelihood strategies in the two patterns significantly contributed to high livelihood outcomes. One is named “Peak-Season Driven Pattern,” where “Extending Working Hours” and “Increasing Staffing Input” are the core conditions; the other is named “Peak-Off Blend-Driven Pattern,” where “Extending Working Hours,” “Increasing Capital Input,” and the absence of “Tourism Persistence” are the core conditions. These findings provide theoretical and practical insights for sustainable livelihood research.

Both academic literature and global organizations have emphasized the need for responsible water consumption, as stated in the Sustainable Development Goal 12. However, individuals’ water-saving behaviors in their current state are not enough. This situation entails a resistance to change (RC) in consumer habits and a lack of perceived risk of scarcity. The novelty of this study lies in examining the influence of RC (through its emotional, cognitive, and confidence components) and perceived risk on water-saving intention. Interviews (n = 384) were conducted in the southeast Mediterranean area of Spain by interviewers using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. The results of the structural equation modeling show that the perceived risk and the components of cognitive rigidity and negative emotions exert a direct influence on water-saving habits and an indirect influence on water-saving intention. None of the components of RC directly influence intention, and a lack of confidence in the outcomes of water saving does not influence water-saving habits or water-saving intention. In addition to the results obtained, the novelty of the work lies in the idea that in order to influence the perception of the risk of water scarcity through awareness campaigns, it is better to use an emotional message rather than showing facts or information, because this does not drive water saving behavior.

Tourism, and particularly residential tourism, has led to a change in the urban and demographic model of towns along the European Mediterranean coastline. Water as a limited and limiting resource for the growth of tourism is a popular topic in the scientific literature. However, the incorporation of non-conventional resources (desalination) has meant, in theory, that this limitation has been overcome. The aims of this paper are: a) to identify the different tourism models implanted in this territory and describe them from the point of view of their consumption of water in the demand cycle from 2002 to 2017; b) analyse the hydrosocial cycle, highlighting the measures aimed at satisfying water demand; and c) identify the limitations associated with these hydrosocial systems. To this end, different types of information will be processed, and various complex indicators produced. The results show the importance that demand management and the use of desalinated water in increasing the resilience of this territory to aridity. However, this has generated other problems associated with a tsunami of construction and the continuity of a non-sustainable territorial model.

The social confinement resulting from the COVID-19 crisis temporarily reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Although experts consider that the decrease in pollution rates was not drastic, some surveys detect a growth in social concern about the climate. In this new climate-conscious environment, municipalities and local governments are promoting a new way of living and caring for cities, even before they can regain national and international freedom of movement. This work analyzes the connection between the new climate awareness arising from the COVID-19 crisis, the proposals of sustainable citizenship around the world, and its communication on Twitter to educate the new eco-conscious audience. The methodology mixes quantitative and qualitative analysis, using the Twitonomy Premium tool and the Twitter research tool, with data extracted at the end of December 2020. Among the top 10 most influential and active accounts, the results show educational institutions, local institutions, companies, neighborhood, associations, and influencers. The impossibility of living the city, has not prevented citizen education and commitment to make real change for when that city and its citizens return to normality. Although this new normality must be different: more ecological, more responsible, more sustainable and practiced from early childhood.

Using desi-cow waste products like Jeevamrit, natural farming is widespread among farmers for improving soil biology and productivity. Jeevamrit enhances soil chemical and microbiological properties without needing large quantities of farmyard manure (FYM), as a sustainable farming practice with a reduced carbon footprint. Despite its traditional use, Jeevamrit faces criticism due to a lack of scientific evidence. This study investigated the comparative effect of Jeevamrit and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of marigold cv. Siracole. In this study mother block of marigold was raised for both summer and winter seasons. The cuttings were harvested from the mother block and then kept for rooting. The rooted cuttings were planted at monthly intervals and evaluated for flowering parameters and compared to those treated with RDF (30:20:20 N, P, and K g/m2). Soil supplied with Jeevamrit enhanced bacteria (26.33%), fungi (18.92%), and actinomycetes (31.21%) populations compared over the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (i.e. N:P: K @ 30:20:20 g m-2). Jeevamrit-treated plants have marketable flower yield per square meter (3.98 %) and shelf life (9.93 %) compared to RDF. The study concludes that Jeevamrit @ 2 liter m-2 is a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional fertilizers for enhancing marigold production in the mid-hills of the Himalayan region, where natural farming is already accepted.

Making sustainable business models, especially in manufacturing, is a key approach for organizations to adopt in order to create more sustainable processes. New technologies are needed to implement new policies that can minimize the economic, environmental, and social consequences of industrial activity. Sustainable maintenance is decisive to guarantee the availability, reliability, and safety of assets, surpassing traditional maintenance policies and embracing the principles of the circular economy. The main objective of Maintenance 4.0 is to increase the lifespan and availability of the equipment by preventing unplanned downtime, reducing planned shutdowns, and improving safety. This research focuses on the integration of advanced Industry 4.0 tools with conventional monitoring and control techniques in process industries. The article suggests that while complex neural networks might provide good predictions, simpler solutions can generalize well and have lower prediction errors because they can capture the underlying relationships between variables in a specific asset better. The combination of maintenance function, Industry 4.0 tools, and advanced statistical solutions to obtain sustainable processes can facilitate organizational change and aid decision-making in equipment management. These solutions seek to reduce interruptions and expenses through the unnecessary utilization of labor and spare parts. All these considerations improve communication and data processing, resulting in improved maintenance of a hydrogen compressor in the petrochemical industry.

The crisis of mining-industrial activities in Western Europe since the middle of the 20th century caused the cessation of mining, triggering a structural crisis. It is necessary to look for alternatives, among which tourist activities based on mining heritage stand out. However, there are unattractive peripheral spaces in which new activities encounter obstacles to their development, facing the post-industrial and rural crises. The Riotinto Mining Basin (Huelva, Andalusia) represents an example of such spaces with an enormous cultural heritage. A central agent, the Río Tinto Foundation, has opted to enhance tourism value, while the mine has recently been reactivated. The objective of this research is to analyze the contribution of mining tourism to sustainable rural development. The methodology applied has been mixed based on conducting interviews and analyzing secondary data. The results are (a) achievement of the tourism value of the mining heritage; (b) difficulties for tourism to overcome its peripheral condition; (c) relative contribution of tourism to the improvement of the territorial image; (d) lack of coordination among stakeholders; (e) limited contribution of tourism to sustainable rural development, moving to a secondary economic role after the reopening of the mine.

This paper presents a practical case illustrating how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda have been designed and articulated in the context of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Even though there is a widespread formal adherence of universities to the SDGs, there is a lack of solid commitment to go beyond the compartmentalization of their implementation and to contribute to a holistic approach. The EHUagenda 2030 is a roadmap to move towards an integrated, verifiable and pragmatic contribution to this international agenda. It describes the UPV/EHU's contribution to 12 of the 17 SDGs, with the addition of its own commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity (SDG 17 + 1), along with the three sectoral plans: the Equality Campus, the Inclusion Campus and the Planet Campus. It also describes the refocus of its education model IKD i3; i3 is ikaskuntza x ikerketa x iraunkortasuna, Basque for learning x research x sustainability. Additionally, it includes the UPV/EHU’s Panel of Sustainable Development Indicators, which addresses the technical aspects of monitoring the implementation of the SDGs. The systematic methodology used in this process (mapping; mainstreaming; diagnosis and definition and, finally, estimation) and presented in this paper could be replicated in other universities yet to embark on this integration. The steps and findings presented here can also be applied to other organizations and help the integration process.

The modification of cellulose woven fabrics and viscose nonwovens was carried out with the aim of preparing sustainable coatings from biodegradable natural polymers. The modification of fabrics with biodegradable natural polymers represents an ecological alternative to other textile modifications such as the sol-gel process. Coatings were prepared from erythritol, gelatin and collagen in various formulations with the addition of propolis and alginate fibers and a natural plasticizer (glycerin). The morphology of the materials was determined before and after modification with Dino-lite, the pH value, the drop test method, the angle recovery angle, the thickness and the mass per unit area. The modifications have no significant effect on the thickness and mass per unit area, in a larger proportion they show hydrophilic properties, which favours the application for medical purposes - for example the absorption of exudates, wound dressings etc. Due to the neutral and slightly alkaline pH value of the modified samples, they are suitable for external application on the skin. The recovery angle of the modified samples proves that the samples do not tend to crease and that they retain their elasticity after modification and have a pleasant textile feel (fabric hand).

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5 and 9 are related to the quality of education, gender equality and the use of new technologies. It is important to bear in mind that a major part of the success of education has to do with students' motivation, which is closely connected to the use of technologies in the classroom. For this reason, a study was carried out with 131 students aged 12 and 13, 58 girls and 73 boys, who use a tablet in their Science classes. The purpose of the study was to determine, based on the Self Determination Theory, the level of intrinsic motivation of those adolescents towards the use of tablets in the classroom. The study measured the interest they have in the tasks and the value they assign to said tasks, as well as their perception of their competence in using tablets. The results reveal that students' motivation is high without significant differences between girls and boys when technological resources are included in teaching-learning processes. This is reflected by the improvement of their academic performance. It is thus possible to state that SDGs 4, 5 and 9 can be achieved.

Previous studies implied the different behavioral intention formation of a specific object for individuals in different age groups, but few research to Chinese consumers’ sustainable fast fashion behaviour were found considering the enormous amount of consumption and waste of fast fashion products in China. Meanwhile, as a fast developing country, it might be insufficient to conduct research ignoring the consequences of different education level and growing environment among different generations. Thus, to generate in-depth and heuristic Chinese consumers information, this study developed proposed theoretical framework (TORA) based on research by Fishbein and Ajzen (1975), while the validity among Chinese consumers was tested as well. Following the TORA model, this study aims to investigate if consumers’ age will moderate the relationship between attitude and intention, and the relationship between subjective norms to behavioral intention. Through structural equation modelling in AMOS, it was found that the model has a well fit to large sample of Chinese consumers, while the moderation effect of age was not significant in the whole sample. Further hierarchical regression analysis conducted in SPSS and Process was able to locate the moderation effect of if divide the consumers into groups by age. Which is, age is significantly and positively moderating the path subjective norms to intention in younger generation (18-25), but significantly positive moderating attitude to intention in consumers aged 26-39. Implications in marketing and to policy makers are discussed at the end of this research.

Biodiversity loss poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human well-being globally, with Nigeria no exception. This article delves into the architectural implications of biodiversity loss in Nigeria, exploring the multifaceted factors contributing to this phenomenon and its ramifications for architectural practice. The discussion encompasses the adverse impacts of deforestation, pollution, and climate change on Nigeria's rich biodiversity and the challenges and opportunities they present for architects. Through examining case studies and examples, the article highlights innovative architectural projects that address biodiversity loss while promoting sustainable design principles. Moreover, it elucidates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, biologists, and policymakers in developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. Ultimately, this article underscores the urgent need for architects to integrate biodiversity conservation into their practices and advocates for policy interventions that prioritise the preservation of Nigeria's natural heritage.

The concept of sustainability and sustainable development, especially systemic sustainable development, still raises controversy in literature. The article makes an attempt to re-examine these concepts from a systems perspective, seeking foundations and applications in the selected sector. It is becoming increasingly clear that sustainability and sustainable development are aimed at integrated economic, social, cultural, political, and ecological factors [1[,[2] (pp.641-642). This causes that the constructive approach to the issue is required, taking into account all the actors, areas and dimensions involved in the pursuit of systemic sustainable development. As a result, both local and global dimensions and the way they interact must be explored in a multi-faceted manner in order to offer a perspective more useful than other analytical approaches, because the systems view is a way of thinking in terms of connectedness, relationships, and context [3]. The article aims to review selected publications and studies so as to form the general idea of systemic sustainable development and define the systemic development of sustainable transport, including in particular the perspective of the actors of the sector, transport providers (passenger, urban) and transport development program, implemented both by local governments and on the European scale. An attempt was made to identify elements of the systemic sustainable development model, setting it in the reality of the following subcategories: “Society”, “Economy” and “Environment” in sectoral terms. It is supposed that, systemic sustainable development is a conglomerate of public administration entities, companies operating in the sector, individual and corporate customers, acting in certain conditions for economic, social and environmental well-being, and a number of their initiatives of major or minor significance, grouped in six sub-areas, undertaken to achieve systemic value in the examined sector, with a positive or negative business/economic, social and environmental impact.