Sustainability

28 pages, 3353 KB

Open AccessArticle

Driving Sustainable Adaptation Through Community Engagement: A Social Adaptive Capacity Tool for Climate Policy

by Monika Piotrkowska, Katarzyna Rędzińska, Monika Zgutka and Małgorzata Płaszczyca

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9361; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219361 (registering DOI) - 22 Oct 2025

Existing studies on adaptive capacity often focus on isolated theoretical aspects of the concept, without offering practical tools for climate policy. Moreover, gaps remain in integrating public participation into adaptation strategies and in extending research beyond specific climate-related threats, such as flooding. Current climate adaptation plans usually rely on public statistics, which are not accurate enough to reflect adaptive capacity at the local level. Improving such plans requires incorporating local knowledge and adequately addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. This article proposes a survey-based tool for measuring social adaptive capacity, providing policymakers with detailed insights into a community’s ability to cope with climate change. The tool was tested while developing a climate adaptation plan for a medium-sized city in Poland. A total of 238 responses were analysed, applying basic and non-parametric statistical methods across four key variables: risk perception of climate change, perceived adaptive capacity, adaptation motivation, and adaptation behaviour. Findings revealed that residents were aware of climate change and believed in the necessity of adaptation. To translate this awareness into sustainable action, local authorities should raise individual responsibility, offer technical and financial guidance, provide various forms of financial assistance, and strengthen social capital, which could increase participation in grassroots initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 331 KB

Open AccessArticle

Data-Driven Framework for Aligning Artificial Intelligence with Inclusive Development in the Global South

by G. H. B. A. de Silva

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9360; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219360 (registering DOI) - 22 Oct 2025

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping social, political, economic, and cultural life, yet its developmental value in the Global South remains contingent on governance, participation, and design choices. This study develops and validates a data-driven framework that aligns Artificial Intelligence with inclusive development across four interdependent dimensions like access, agency, accountability, and adaptation using a mixed-method, sequential explanatory design that integrates large-sample surveys, qualitative interviews and observations, and participatory workshops across six urban, peri-urban, and rural sites (total

n = 1920

). Measurement development followed best practices in item generation, content validity, cognitive interviewing, piloting, and psychometric evaluation; exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure with satisfactory reliability and convergent discriminant validity. Structural equation modeling indicated that access and adaptation are the strongest predictors of service reach and time efficiency, whereas agency and accountability are most closely associated with grievance resolution and reductions in reported harms; these relations were strong across subgroups and alternative specifications. Qualitative integration clarified mechanisms that map onto the quantitative signals, including infrastructural precarity that constrains reach, contestability gaps that limit remedy, and locally responsive design features that reduce transaction costs. The framework translates normative commitments into measurable levers for policy and practice: investments that prioritize access and adaptation expand reach and efficiency, while strengthening agency and accountability enhances remedy and safety. Embedding the four dimensions into diagnostics, procurement, audit, and performance management offers a practical pathway to make Artificial Intelligence inclusive by default in diverse low-resource settings. Full article

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22 pages, 1653 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Holistic One Health Assessment Framework for Coastal Areas

by Alexandra Ioannou, Evmorfia Bataka, Nikolaos Kokosis, Dimitris Kofinas, Charalambos Billinis and Chrysi Laspidou

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9359; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219359 (registering DOI) - 22 Oct 2025

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems face intertwined challenges from environmental degradation, zoonotic spillover, and socio-economic pressures, which demand integrated assessment approaches. This paper proposes a tailored conceptual and methodological framework for evaluating One Health (OH) in coastal environments. The proposed framework extends the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impact–Response model by embedding human health, animal health, and environmental ecosystem quality into a unified structure. Within this approach, three composite indicators are introduced—the Human Health and Socio-economic Well-being Index, the Animal Health Risk Index, and the Environmental Ecosystem Quality Index. Based on an extensive literature review, we propose the variables and indicators that will theoretically underpin the construction of these indicators. While their empirical development and application will follow in a subsequent stage, the present work establishes their conceptual foundation and provides the full set of indicators to be integrated. In doing so, the framework lays the groundwork for future operationalization of OH assessments in coastal areas, supporting vulnerability evaluation, sustainable governance, and alignment with European directives and the UN SDGs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Sustainable Development of Human Health)

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Sustainability, Volume 17, Issue 21 (November-1 2025) – 3 articles

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