Sustainability

45 pages, 1733 KB

Open AccessArticle

Toward Sustainable Shipping: Prioritizing Green Behaviors Among Ship Officers Using Delphi and Interval Type-2 F-AHP

by Ramazan Ozkan Yildiz

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7090; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147090 - 10 Jul 2026

In response to the growing need for decarbonization in the maritime industry, identifying and prioritizing environmentally responsible shipboard behaviors has become increasingly important. This study proposes an integrated Delphi–Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (IT2F-AHP) framework to identify and prioritize Employee Green Behaviors [...] Read more.

In response to the growing need for decarbonization in the maritime industry, identifying and prioritizing environmentally responsible shipboard behaviors has become increasingly important. This study proposes an integrated Delphi–Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (IT2F-AHP) framework to identify and prioritize Employee Green Behaviors (EGBs) among officer-class seafarers, who play a central role in implementing sustainability practices during daily ship operations. First, a three-round Delphi process was conducted to establish expert consensus on the most relevant green behaviors. Subsequently, IT2F-AHP was employed to prioritize these behaviors while addressing the uncertainty inherent in expert judgments. The results indicate that resource efficiency, energy conservation, and adherence to ballast water management regulations are the highest-priority behaviors for supporting sustainable ship operations. The proposed framework provides a systematic and transparent decision-support tool for shipping companies, maritime education and training institutions, and policymakers to develop targeted training programs, operational procedures, and sustainability strategies. By integrating expert consensus with advanced multi-criteria decision-making, this study contributes to the behavioral dimension of sustainable shipping and offers a practical framework for promoting the green transformation in maritime operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

41 pages, 43085 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Coupled MIKE SHE–MIKE 11 Framework for Simulating Surface–Groundwater Connectivity and Water Quality to Support Sustainable Water Management in the Cau River Basin

by Tran Tien Dung, Tran Hong Thai, Doan Quang Tri, Nguyen Van Hong and Nguyen Hoang Minh

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7089; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147089 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

The Cau river basin in northern Vietnam is experiencing increasing pressures on water resources due to rapid urbanization, industrial development, agricultural expansion, and inadequate wastewater management. Understanding the interactions between surface water, groundwater, and water quality is essential for developing effective and sustainable [...] Read more.

The Cau river basin in northern Vietnam is experiencing increasing pressures on water resources due to rapid urbanization, industrial development, agricultural expansion, and inadequate wastewater management. Understanding the interactions between surface water, groundwater, and water quality is essential for developing effective and sustainable water management strategies. This study developed and applied a coupled MIKE SHE–MIKE 11 framework to simulate surface–groundwater connectivity and its influence on water quality dynamics in the Cau river basin. Hydrometeorological and water quality datasets collected during 2023–2024 were used to calibrate and test the integrated model at key monitoring locations, including Cha, Phuc Loc Phuong, and Dap Cau stations. The hydrological component demonstrated satisfactory performance, with Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values ranging from 0.55 to 0.79 for water level simulations, indicating a reliable representation of surface and subsurface flow processes. Simulated river–aquifer exchange fluxes revealed pronounced spatial variability across the basin. Upstream reaches predominantly functioned as groundwater recharge zones, whereas the middle and downstream sections exhibited dynamic bidirectional exchanges governed by river stage fluctuations, hydraulic gradients, and local hydrogeological conditions. Water quality simulations for BOD₅, COD, NH₄⁺, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) showed good agreement with observations, with calibration and testing errors generally remaining below 25%. Incorporating surface–groundwater interactions improved the representation of pollutant transport, residence time, and nutrient accumulation processes compared with conventional river-only simulations. The results demonstrate that river–aquifer connectivity plays a critical role in regulating both hydrological processes and water quality conditions in the basin. The coupled modeling framework provides a robust scientific basis for identifying critical interaction zones, assessing pollution risks, optimizing monitoring programs, and supporting integrated water resource planning. By explicitly linking hydrological connectivity with water quality dynamics, the proposed framework serves as a practical decision-support tool for sustainable water resource management in the Cau river basin and other river–aquifer systems facing increasing environmental pressures and progressive water quality degradation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)

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26 pages, 898 KB

Open AccessArticle

Has Digital Technology Empowerment Enhanced the Resilience of the Industrial Chain and Supply Chain?

by Tiantian Gao, Jun Wan and Jingwen Sun

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7088; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147088 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

The new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation has created unprecedented opportunities for enhancing the resilience of manufacturing, industrial, and supply chains. Using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces covering the period 2004–2022, this study develops a comprehensive indicator system to measure [...] Read more.

The new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation has created unprecedented opportunities for enhancing the resilience of manufacturing, industrial, and supply chains. Using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces covering the period 2004–2022, this study develops a comprehensive indicator system to measure dual-chain resilience and examines the impact of digital technology empowerment on its development. The results show that digital technology empowerment significantly enhances dual-chain resilience (coefficient = 0.286, p < 0.01), and the findings remain robust across a series of endogeneity and robustness tests. Mediation analysis shows that digital technology empowerment enhances dual-chain resilience through two complementary mechanisms: factor reallocation and scale expansion. Heterogeneity analysis further reveals that the benefits of digital technology empowerment differ across industrial characteristics and supply-chain positions, with downstream spillover effects (coefficient = 0.321, p < 0.01) substantially exceeding upstream effects (coefficient = 0.083, p < 0.05). Enterprise heterogeneity analysis reveals that the resilience gains from digital technology empowerment are primarily concentrated among capable firms, regardless of their readiness to adopt digital technologies, suggesting that capability, rather than readiness alone, is the critical determinant of successful digital empowerment outcomes. Moreover, exogenous shocks exert heterogeneous influences on the digital empowerment–resilience relationship, highlighting the buffering role of dual-chain resilience in mitigating external disruptions. These findings enrich the theoretical understanding of how digital technology empowerment strengthens dual-chain resilience and provide policy implications for promoting digital transformation, improving industrial circulation systems, and implementing differentiated digital empowerment strategies. Full article

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36 pages, 743 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Challenge of Transportation Innovation: A Sustainability Assessment of Tesla’s ADAS Electric Vehicles

by Avi Kay and Mark S. Schwartz

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7087; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147087 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Technological developments in transportation have moved quickly, often faster than the frameworks used to evaluate their broader societal and environmental implications. This study examines the extent to which Tesla’s automotive activities contribute to long-term societal well-being from a consequentialist utilitarian perspective, focusing on [...] Read more.

Technological developments in transportation have moved quickly, often faster than the frameworks used to evaluate their broader societal and environmental implications. This study examines the extent to which Tesla’s automotive activities contribute to long-term societal well-being from a consequentialist utilitarian perspective, focusing on two related developments: (1) vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and (2) vehicles powered by electricity. Tesla provides a useful focal case in that it brings these two developments together in a single, highly visible setting. Using Tesla as an exploratory qualitative case, the analysis assesses both technologies within a single ethical and sustainability framework, examining how their effects combine across safety, environmental, and broader societal outcomes. Because the two technologies act on many of the same outcomes and stakeholders, they interact: they reinforce one another in some respects and offset one another in others. In the case of road safety, for example, the additional mass of an electric vehicle raises the severity of collisions even as driver assistance works to reduce their frequency. The analysis suggests an overall net positive societal impact, while recognizing the uncertainties and trade-offs that remain. This assessment rests mainly on two considerations: the likely reduction in traffic-related injuries and fatalities associated with wider adoption of ADAS-equipped vehicles, and the expectation that, in most contexts, electric vehicles provide a net environmental benefit, particularly through lower levels of harmful air pollutants relative to internal combustion engines. These benefits are not automatic, however, but depend on broader system conditions, including whether electrification and automation move transportation beyond established patterns of car dependence or reinforce them. The paper concludes by outlining the implications of these findings, while acknowledging the limits of the analysis and pointing to areas for future research Full article

33 pages, 6988 KB

Open AccessArticle

Operational Energy Performance of LEED-Certified Buildings: A City-Scale Benchmarking Analysis in Philadelphia

by Sorena Vosoughkhosravi and Gulbin Ozcan-Deniz

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7086; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147086 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

As one of the top contributors to global environmental impact, the building and construction sector has significant potential to mitigate resource consumption both during and after construction. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification has formalized this mitigation process, but it [...] Read more.

As one of the top contributors to global environmental impact, the building and construction sector has significant potential to mitigate resource consumption both during and after construction. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification has formalized this mitigation process, but it remains unclear whether the operational performance of LEED-certified buildings matches their theoretical design in reducing environmental impacts and advancing sustainable development in the built environment. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on real-world building performance by evaluating the operational energy use of LEED-certified buildings in Philadelphia relative to their immediate urban neighbors. The methodology includes identifying buildings from the Philadelphia Large Building Energy Benchmarking dataset, along with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) certification records, and analyzing LEED-certified buildings in comparison with their functionally similar non-LEED buildings in proximity. The research employs a multi-dimensional analytical framework grounded in the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) credit structure of LEED. In raw city-wide terms, certified buildings used far more energy per floor area than non-certified buildings (79.4 vs. 22.7 kWh/sq ft), but this gap largely reflects differences in building function, size, and location. After structural clustering and geographically constrained matching, certified buildings still showed a higher mean energy use intensity, by roughly 56 to 59 kWh/sq ft across all neighborhood sizes (k = 3, 5, 10). However, none of these differences was statistically significant at the 95% level. This apparent gap was not uniform: it was concentrated in large, service-intensive types such as healthcare and public/cultural facilities, rather than observed across all building categories. The results therefore provide no evidence that certified buildings outperform comparable non-certified peers in operational energy use, rather than positive evidence that they underperform. By utilizing large-scale benchmarking data and comparative analytical methods, this work enhances understanding of the effectiveness of LEED-related energy interventions and supports evidence-based decision-making for policymakers, designers, contractors, and building owners seeking to improve energy performance in existing buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Environment and Sustainable Energy Efficiency)

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26 pages, 1059 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education on Technological Innovation: The Role of Institutions

by Babacar Ndiaye and Omar Diop

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7085; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147085 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Technological innovation drives long-run economic growth, yet countries with similar levels of STEM educational attainment often exhibit large differences in innovation performance. This study examines whether and how institutional quality moderates the relationship between STEM education and technological innovation. Using five-year averaged panel [...] Read more.

Technological innovation drives long-run economic growth, yet countries with similar levels of STEM educational attainment often exhibit large differences in innovation performance. This study examines whether and how institutional quality moderates the relationship between STEM education and technological innovation. Using five-year averaged panel data for 74 countries over the period 2000–2019, we find that STEM education has a positive and statistically significant effect on resident patent applications. The magnitude of this effect increases across higher quantiles of the innovation distribution. Institutional quality measured by property rights protection and ease of doing business plays a heterogeneous moderating role: strong property rights significantly enhance the innovation returns to STEM education in low-innovation countries, while ease of doing business exerts a broader positive effect. These results remain robust to alternative estimators, sub-samples, alternative measures, and endogeneity checks. Overall, the findings highlight that institutional improvements are essential complements to STEM investment. Policy strategies should therefore be context specific, combining human capital development with targeted institutional reforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation and Regional Resilience in the Context of Sustainable Development: Challenges, Perspectives, Disparities, and Dynamics)

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33 pages, 947 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Sustainability, Production, Energy Consumption and Wage Burden of Industrial Enterprises on HoReCa and MRO Sectors Using PLSc-SEM Modelling

by Małgorzata Sztorc and Medard Makrenek

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7084; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147084 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Sustainable development views energy as a determinant of the interdependence between economic growth and ecosystem protection, which influences the specificity of energy-production relationships in the hospitality and catering sectors (HoReCa) and the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) sector. The primary goal of this [...] Read more.

Sustainable development views energy as a determinant of the interdependence between economic growth and ecosystem protection, which influences the specificity of energy-production relationships in the hospitality and catering sectors (HoReCa) and the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) sector. The primary goal of this study is to identify and assess the structural relationships between environmental, fiscal, production, and energy factors in industrial enterprises and their impact on production and resource potential within the intersectoral network of the HoReCa and MRO sectors, taking into account emission burdens and fiscal instruments. The research procedure utilized partial least squares coherent structural equation modeling (PLSc-SEM). The model was built using Eurostat data from 2008 to 2020 for companies in 23 countries of the European Union. The analysis showed that the energy consumption of the hospitality and catering establishments (HoReCa) is the strongest predictor of MRO sector activity (β = 0.910), whereas the emission intensity of MROs exerts a comparatively minor effect. The results document the dominance of scale over emission intensity in shaping environmental burdens. Furthermore, they confirm the negative impact of environmental taxes on the remuneration fund of highly qualified specialists. The full mediation of operational scale was also demonstrated in the relationships between energy demand, emissions levels, and labor costs. The results of the study clearly indicate the need to integrate building energy policy with the decarbonization of technical services. From a macroeconomic perspective, this approach supports the achievement of sustainable development goals. Implementing predictive maintenance demonstrates a dual synergistic effect, combining maximized resource productivity with a simultaneous reduction in carbon footprint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

20 pages, 1221 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dual Transition Toward Sustainability in Chamber-Affiliated SMEs in an Emerging Economy: Exploratory Evidence on the Coupling Between the Circular Economy and Digital Transformation

by Gisella Luisa Elena Maquen-Niño, Jessie Bravo-Jaico, Emma Verónica Ramos Farroñan, Alexander Fernando Haro Sarango and Pedro Manuel Silva León

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7083; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147083 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to characterize, through an exploratory empirical diagnosis, the degree of development and preliminary association between circular economy capabilities and sustainability-oriented digital transformation capabilities in Chamber-affiliated SMEs in Lambayeque, Peru. Guided by three exploratory working hypotheses, the study [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study is to characterize, through an exploratory empirical diagnosis, the degree of development and preliminary association between circular economy capabilities and sustainability-oriented digital transformation capabilities in Chamber-affiliated SMEs in Lambayeque, Peru. Guided by three exploratory working hypotheses, the study expected intermediate levels of development, heterogeneous performance across dimensions, and a positive but non-confirmatory coupling between both capability families. A self-administered questionnaire with thirty Likert-type items measured four circular economy dimensions—circular design and eco-design, resource optimization, circular waste management, and circular business models—and four sustainability-oriented digital transformation dimensions—digital technology infrastructure, dynamic digital capabilities, sustainable digital strategy, and digital innovation culture. The initial database contained 111 complete Chamber-affiliated responses; however, seven large Chamber-affiliated firms were retained only as contextual comparators and were excluded from all statistical processing. Consequently, all descriptive, psychometric, and SEM results were calculated using the final analytical sample of 104 micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises. The findings show intermediate development in both constructs, higher perceived performance in digital innovation culture and resource optimization, and lower performance in digital technology infrastructure, reverse logistics, platforms enabling circularity, and monetization of circular models. The latent association between the two higher-order constructs was very high (β = 0.985, p < 0.001); however, because global fit indices were below conventional thresholds, this coefficient is interpreted as preliminary evidence of empirical overlap and capability co-occurrence rather than confirmatory evidence of a validated structural model or causal integration. Full article

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27 pages, 30768 KB

Open AccessArticle

Biophysical Integration and Cartographic Modeling of Ecosystem Services in the Bajo Sinú Wetland Complex: A Case Study from Colombia Using the ECOSER Protocol

by Fernando Begambre-González, Dairo Balcena Feria, Viviana Cecilia Soto-Barrera and Doris Mejía-Ávila

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7082; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147082 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

The Bajo Sinú Wetland Complex (CCBS for its acronym in Spanish) constitutes one of the most critical marsh systems in the Colombian Caribbean and represents one of the most relevant hydric ecoregions in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and map [...] Read more.

The Bajo Sinú Wetland Complex (CCBS for its acronym in Spanish) constitutes one of the most critical marsh systems in the Colombian Caribbean and represents one of the most relevant hydric ecoregions in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and map the relative provision of ecosystem services in the CCBS through the implementation of the ECOSER protocol. Using cartographic models, the specific requirements necessary to map seven of the nine ecosystem functions included in the ECOSER protocol that proved critical for the CCBS were defined: soil organic carbon storage, biomass carbon storage, erosion control, soil fertility, retention of excess precipitation by vegetation cover, retention by wetlands, and nutrient retention. The results demonstrated that the CCBS possesses significant potential for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, exhibiting an average content of 18.9 Mg C ha⁻¹, with grasslands and marshland covers recording the highest values. Regarding biomass carbon storage (BCS), average values reached 12.85 Mg C ha⁻¹. These findings confirm the high capacity of wetlands to store carbon, thereby contributing significantly to climate regulation. Furthermore, the analysis of the soil fertility ecosystem function showed high productivity levels, with soil profiles exceeding 70% of the maximum potential value. Conversely, although the biophysical analysis revealed a moderate water regulation capacity by retaining approximately 15.4% of the annual precipitation, which corresponds to 170,067,986 m³, this function plays a fundamental role in minimizing surface runoff and mitigating flood risks across the territory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Ecology and Sustainability)

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22 pages, 1334 KB

Open AccessArticle

Destination Inclusivity in Sustainable Heritage Tourism: The Roles of AI Literacy, Halal Literacy, and Information Quality: Evidence from Tana Toraja

by Usep Suhud, Sudhashini Nair, Wong Chee Hoo, Doni Sugianto Sihotang, Vanessa Gaffar, Abror Abror, Aslinda Mohd Shahril, Somjai Nupueng and Somnuk Aujirapongpan

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7081; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147081 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

The study examines relationships linking AI literacy, halal literacy, information quality, destination inclusivity, perceived value, destination preference, and visit intention in Muslim tourists’ evaluations of Tana Toraja, a culturally distinctive non-Muslim heritage destination. Owing to the predominance of respondents without prior experience visiting [...] Read more.

The study examines relationships linking AI literacy, halal literacy, information quality, destination inclusivity, perceived value, destination preference, and visit intention in Muslim tourists’ evaluations of Tana Toraja, a culturally distinctive non-Muslim heritage destination. Owing to the predominance of respondents without prior experience visiting Tana Toraja, the findings primarily concern anticipated perceptions and prospective visit intentions, not actual post-visit evaluations. The study contributes to tourism scholarship through a unified empirical framework connecting established constructs from AI-driven tourism, halal tourism, and inclusive heritage tourism. Data from 371 respondents were collected through an online survey and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results show that AI literacy significantly affects information quality and halal literacy, suggesting that digitally literate tourists are better positioned to filter and verify AI-mediated travel information. Halal literacy positively affects destination inclusivity and perceived value, while information quality enhances inclusivity, preference, and visit intention. Perceived value also strengthens inclusivity and preference, and destination preference strongly predicts visit intention. Overall, the findings suggest that trustworthy AI-mediated information, practical halal understanding, and perceived inclusivity may help reduce uncertainty among Muslim prospective tourists considering culturally distinctive heritage destinations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Tourism, Culture, and Heritage)

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25 pages, 3454 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Innovative Multi-Parameter Environmental Sensor System for Real-Time Indoor Air Quality Monitoring in Industrial Facilities

by Pedro Catalão Moura, Vladyslav Alieksieiev, Hugo Domingues, Sofia Pessanha and Valentina Vassilenko

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7080; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147080 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Ensuring adequate indoor air quality (IAQ) in industrial environments is essential for protecting worker health, particularly in facilities characterized by chemical emissions and complex layouts, such as automotive painting lines. This study presents the implementation and field evaluation of a low-cost multisensory electronic [...] Read more.

Ensuring adequate indoor air quality (IAQ) in industrial environments is essential for protecting worker health, particularly in facilities characterized by chemical emissions and complex layouts, such as automotive painting lines. This study presents the implementation and field evaluation of a low-cost multisensory electronic system prototype designed for continuous, long-term monitoring of six key environmental parameters: temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq), total volatile organic compounds (VOC), and an overall Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) index. The system consists of autonomous sensing stations with integrated multi-parameter MEMS sensors and a centralized data aggregation hub. The system was engineered to ensure metrological stability across power cycles, adaptive energy management, and robust long-range wireless communication, thereby addressing common limitations of conventional industrial monitoring solutions. The prototype was deployed in an operational automotive manufacturing plant, where seven sensing stations were installed along the painting line for a two-week continuous monitoring campaign, identifying process-dependent peaks in CO₂ and VOC concentrations and corresponding reductions in IAQ values. The system was able to identify CO₂ peaks as high as 2997.7 ppm (Sensor 3) in localized industrial zones, significantly exceeding standard indoor thresholds. At the same time the system demonstrated the ability to detect VOC fluctuations with a resolution capable of capturing peaks up to 144.1 ppb (Sensor 3) during high-activity shifts. All sensors provided continuous and reliable data over an extended monitoring period. The measured trends and value ranges were consistent with expected industrial conditions, indicating satisfactory system performance under real operating conditions. Overall, the results demonstrate that the developed multisensory prototype is a promising, portable, and economically sustainable solution for distributed continuous IAQ assessment in complex industrial environments, with strong potential for scalable large-scale implementation in occupational health protection and environmental sustainability frameworks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Assessing Technologies for Environmental and Health Monitoring)

31 pages, 716 KB

Open AccessArticle

Will Pilot Programs to Integrate Technology and Finance Help Cities Improve Their Carbon Emission Efficiency?

by Fengying Lu, Yucheng Wu, Jiao Qian and Guangyao Deng

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7079; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147079 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

As the key driver of economic development, sci-tech finance presents a new opportunity for China’s economic green transformation. This paper employs the difference-in-difference method to examine the influence of sci-tech finance policies on urban carbon emission efficiency. The results show the following: (1) [...] Read more.

As the key driver of economic development, sci-tech finance presents a new opportunity for China’s economic green transformation. This paper employs the difference-in-difference method to examine the influence of sci-tech finance policies on urban carbon emission efficiency. The results show the following: (1) Generally, the technology finance policy can notably enhance urban carbon emission efficiency, and this conclusion remains valid after a series of robustness checks. (2) Mechanism tests indicate that sci-tech finance can promote low-carbon development via innovation, financing, and energy structure channels. (3) Heterogeneity tests reveal that sci-tech finance has a more pronounced impact on emissions reduction in the eastern regions, areas with strict environmental regulations, regions with a higher degree of marketization, and non-resource-based cities. (4) A spatial Durbin model was employed to analyze the spatial spillover effects of science and technology finance. (5) The Double Machine Learning (DML)model was used for verification and inspection, and found that sci-tech is conducive to improving the carbon emission efficiency of cities. Finally, this study offers policy recommendations, including formulating region-specific implementation guidelines for the growth of sci-tech finance, taking into account the distinct features of each area. Full article

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23 pages, 6644 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the Service Trade Innovative Development Pilot Policy on Pollution Reduction and Carbon Reduction

by Jiahao Zeng and Wurong Li

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7078; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147078 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

The service sector plays a central role in steering the economic structure toward greener development, and service trade provides an important route for achieving pollution reduction and carbon reduction. Drawing on a city-level panel of 278 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2022, this [...] Read more.

The service sector plays a central role in steering the economic structure toward greener development, and service trade provides an important route for achieving pollution reduction and carbon reduction. Drawing on a city-level panel of 278 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2022, this study uses Staggered DID and Spatial DID models to evaluate the direct and spatial spillover effects of the Service Trade Innovative Development Pilot Policy (STIDPP) on pollution reduction and carbon reduction. The results show that: (1) The STIDPP significantly promotes pollution reduction and carbon reduction, and this finding remains robust after placebo tests, PSM-DID estimation, checks addressing heterogeneous treatment effects, and controls for other policy shocks. (2) The mechanism analysis shows that the STIDPP mainly promotes pollution reduction and carbon reduction through industrial structure upgrading, green technological innovation, environmental governance investment, and public environmental concern. (3) The positive effects of the STIDPP are more pronounced in cities with higher levels of economic development, larger city size, and service-oriented industrial structures, but its promoting effect on carbon-reduction efficiency is relatively weaker in regions with stronger environmental regulation. (4) The STIDPP generates significant spatial spillover effects on pollution reduction and carbon reduction. As geographic distance increases, these effects shift from negative to positive and eventually become statistically insignificant. This study extends the research on the environmental effects of service trade and provides theoretical support and practical guidance for developing a green service trade system and enhancing the synergy between pollution reduction and carbon reduction. Full article

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44 pages, 2245 KB

Open AccessReview

Synergizing Sustainable Materials and Advanced Manufacturing for Sustainability Performance: A Literature Review

by Mohammed Zouini and Mohamed Saad Bajjou

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7077; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147077 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

The integration of sustainable materials and Industry 4.0 technologies as the overarching paradigm offers significant potential to advance manufacturing sustainability. However, existing research remains fragmented, often focusing on isolated topics such as recycled plastics in additive manufacturing or the use of machine learning [...] Read more.

The integration of sustainable materials and Industry 4.0 technologies as the overarching paradigm offers significant potential to advance manufacturing sustainability. However, existing research remains fragmented, often focusing on isolated topics such as recycled plastics in additive manufacturing or the use of machine learning and material informatics in material processing. As a result, limited attention has been given to the combined effects of these approaches across the economic, environmental, social, and technological dimensions of sustainability. To address this gap, this study presents a systematic literature review of 156 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 and develops the concept of Sustainable Circular Manufacturing (SCM) as the sweet spot between sustainable materials and Industry 4.0. The review shows that SCM-related studies primarily enhance data acquisition, process transparency, intelligent decision-making, process optimization, automation, and human–technology interaction. The findings also indicate that the literature is strongly weighted toward environmental indicators such as carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and circularity, whereas social sustainability and economic viability remain comparatively underexplored. Building on these insights, the study proposes SCM as an integrative conceptual framework that clarifies the causal pathways linking sustainable material strategies and Industry 4.0 enablers to multidimensional sustainability performance. Finally, the review identifies key implementation barriers and outlines a future research agenda to support digitally enabled circular material strategies. Full article

22 pages, 779 KB

Open AccessReview

The Power–Wisdom Gap: Reframing Higher Education for Human Flourishing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

by Laura Maska, Dimitrios Kalamaras and Charalambos Tsekeris

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7076; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147076 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Higher education is increasingly asked to prepare learners for societies shaped by artificial intelligence, ecological destabilization, labour-market reconfiguration, and declining institutional trust. Yet many universities remain governed by a scarcity model: knowledge transmission, durable credentials, and economic productivity. This article argues that the [...] Read more.

Higher education is increasingly asked to prepare learners for societies shaped by artificial intelligence, ecological destabilization, labour-market reconfiguration, and declining institutional trust. Yet many universities remain governed by a scarcity model: knowledge transmission, durable credentials, and economic productivity. This article argues that the model is structurally misaligned with emerging conditions because the central educational challenge is shifting from knowledge scarcity to power abundance. The deeper crisis is not a deficit of knowledge production but a deficit of formation: higher education has underdeveloped the human capacities required to use technologically amplified power wisely, meaningfully and responsibly. The article develops this argument through a conceptual design with an embedded systematized scoping review and thematic synthesis across higher education studies, AI governance, futures and foresight, sustainability transitions, human flourishing, wisdom science, and research metrics. It proposes flourishing stewardship as a new first principle for higher education: the cultivation of persons and institutions capable of pursuing meaningful lives while preserving and advancing the conditions for shared human and planetary flourishing. The article contributes the Flourishing Stewardship Transformation Model, linking external transition conditions, scarcity-model misalignment, the power–wisdom gap, six formation capacities, and five institutional transformation levers. The model is operationalized through design questions, researchable indicators, and propositions for future empirical testing. The paper contributes to technological forecasting and social change by positioning higher education as a socio-technical transition infrastructure whose purpose is not merely to adapt learners to technological change, but to form the human agency needed to govern it. Full article

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19 pages, 796 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Digitalisation and Sustainability in South Africa: A Systematic Review Exploring Tensions, Synergies, and Developmental Contradictions

by Muofhe Thenga and Reuben Dlamini

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147075 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

In South Africa, escalating consumption of digital devices poses significant threats to ecological sustainability and has far-reaching implications for environmental degradation. The ratio of digital devices to human beings is rapidly increasing, underscoring the urgency of interrogating the sustainability implications of digital expansion. [...] Read more.

In South Africa, escalating consumption of digital devices poses significant threats to ecological sustainability and has far-reaching implications for environmental degradation. The ratio of digital devices to human beings is rapidly increasing, underscoring the urgency of interrogating the sustainability implications of digital expansion. This study investigated the complex relationship between digitalisation and sustainable development, focusing on the social, environmental, and economic impacts in the South African context. For this systematic review, researchers synthesised and analysed the findings of 44 articles, published between 2015 and 2025. Using a knowledge–implementation–effect (K-I-E) cycle, the research sought to bridge knowledge gaps, critically assess the ecological costs of digital innovation, and explore how digital technologies align or conflict with sustainability goals. The study hypothesised that unchecked digitalisation exacerbates climate vulnerability, e-waste, and energy consumption, thereby threatening environmental integrity and social equity. The findings underscore the digitalisation–carbon footprint paradox, capturing a contradiction of the digital age, whereby technological progress helps reduce environmental impact and at the same time drives new forms of environmental pressure. This paradox reflects a tension between efficiency gains and expanded energy consumption. The study has major implications for policymakers because it promotes eco-friendly principles. Notably, there is a paucity of literature on digitalisation and sustainability in South Africa, with existing studies largely confined to narrow, sector-specific analyses rather than providing integrated, systemic, and cross-sectoral perspectives. Full article

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27 pages, 4215 KB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Scope 3.1 Carbon Accounting: A Framework for Selecting Weight-Based Material Emission Factors

by Ellis Bauer, Fabian Rundel, Shari Maria Alt and Laura Bies

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7074; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147074 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Scope 3.1 emissions from purchased goods and services often represent a substantial share of corporate greenhouse gas footprints, yet their quantification is characterized by high uncertainty and limited transparency. In practice, organizations frequently rely on weight-based secondary emission factors, which can vary substantially [...] Read more.

Scope 3.1 emissions from purchased goods and services often represent a substantial share of corporate greenhouse gas footprints, yet their quantification is characterized by high uncertainty and limited transparency. In practice, organizations frequently rely on weight-based secondary emission factors, which can vary substantially depending on underlying assumptions such as production technology or geographical origin. Existing standards and data quality approaches provide important guidance on representativeness, reliability, and data exchange, but offer limited operational support for selecting appropriate emission factors. This study addresses this practical challenge by examining emission-factor variability for selected material groups, identifying key influencing factors, and developing a qualitative decision-support framework for evaluating, selecting, and documenting secondary emission factors in Scope 3.1 accounting. The results demonstrate that emission factors for the same material can differ by more than an order of magnitude, leading to substantial deviations in carbon footprint results if selected inconsistently. The proposed framework, while not replacing supplier-specific primary data or formal data-quality assessment, reduces selection-related uncertainty, and supports more reliable carbon accounting, particularly in data-constrained supply chain contexts. By providing a transparent screening logic for early-stage Scope 3.1, the study enables more informed sustainability and procurement decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy and Life Cycle Assessment: Closing the Loop for Sustainable Resource Management)

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21 pages, 3788 KB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Microbiota-Mediated Effects on Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Growth and Yield: The Role of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Trichoderma in Sustainable Agricultural Systems

by Katarzyna Panasiewicz, Alicja Niewiadomska, Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka, Karolina Ratajczak, Agnieszka Faligowska, Katarzyna Głuchowska and Grażyna Szymańska

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7073; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147073 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a key legume with high agronomic and nutritional value, widely cultivated for its high-protein seeds and its capability to improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. Recently, co-inoculation strategies combining Rhizobia bacteria with growth-enhancing fungi from [...] Read more.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a key legume with high agronomic and nutritional value, widely cultivated for its high-protein seeds and its capability to improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. Recently, co-inoculation strategies combining Rhizobia bacteria with growth-enhancing fungi from the genus Trichoderma have gained increasing attention as a way to enhance soybean productivity and resilience under variable environmental conditions. The present study, conducted in 2023–2024, examined how seed inoculation treatments (Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Trichoderma viride) affect soybean productivity, seed quality, and soil biochemical changes expressed as the activity levels of selected soil enzymes—dehydrogenases (DHA), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—as well as the biological fertility index (BIF). The findings indicated that co-inoculation positively influenced plant productivity and produced the highest seed yields among all treatments tested, exceeding the control by 25.6%. Furthermore, inoculated seeds were characterized by improved seed quality, expressed by higher germination capacity (80%) and greater average seedling length (4.74 cm). The bacterial strains used to inoculate soybean seeds increased soil biochemical activity and improved fertility, particularly under unfavorable rainfall distribution during the growing season. Co-inoculation can be recommended as an effective and environmentally friendly element of soybean cultivation technology, supporting yield stability in variable weather conditions. Further research is recommended in longer multi-year series and under various habitat conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Microbiota and Ecology in Sustainable Agroecosystems)

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21 pages, 22377 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Risk Assessment of Innovative Soil Substitute Cover in Post-Mining Land Reclamation: A Case Study of the Janina Mine Spoil Heap

by Angelika Więckol-Ryk and Magdalena Cempa

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7072; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147072 - 10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Artificial soils derived from coal combustion by-products and industrial waste have been successfully used for mine spoil reclamation; however, their ecological risk and toxic element migration in the soil–plant system have not been assessed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the [...] Read more.

Artificial soils derived from coal combustion by-products and industrial waste have been successfully used for mine spoil reclamation; however, their ecological risk and toxic element migration in the soil–plant system have not been assessed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ecological risks in soil substitute covers after five years of their exposition, using the ecological risk factor (ERⁱ), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and geoaccumulation index. The modified BCR-sequential extraction method was applied to determine the chemical partitioning of the most toxic heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn). Additionally, the bioconcentration and translocation factors were used to assess the uptake of toxic elements by Phragmites australis. Findings from PERI indicate a moderate risk (239 and 258), mainly associated with moderate and considerable ERⁱ for Cd and Hg, respectively. The other toxic metals are associated with a low risk (ERⁱ < 40). Sequential extraction results showed the lowest concentrations of heavy metals in F1 fraction (0–30%) and increased in subsequent fractions: F2 (1–43%), F3 (10–62%) and F4 (10–89%). The calculated BCF values were below 1, indicating that the concentration of toxic metals in plants was lower than that in the soil substitute. The only exception was observed for Mn and Sn (BCF > 1). The results suggest that the tested soil substitutes are suitable for the reclamation of post-mining areas and may support sustainable biomass production. However, due to industrial atmospheric deposition and ecological risk associated with selected trace elements, continued monitoring of toxic metals is recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Environmental Geotechnics and Transportation Geotechnics for Sustainable Engineering Solutions)

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