Sustainability

23 pages, 1595 KB

Open AccessArticle

Efficiency Evaluation and Regional Disparities of Green Agricultural Product Supply Chains: A Case Study of Hebei Province, China

by Man Wu, Xiaotong Wu and Yahui Lyu

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310733 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Building a sustainable and efficient green agricultural product supply chain (GASC) is crucial for ensuring global food security and promoting environmental sustainability. However, at the regional level, the spatial differentiation patterns of its efficiency and underlying driving mechanisms—particularly the synergistic relationship between technical [...] Read more.

Building a sustainable and efficient green agricultural product supply chain (GASC) is crucial for ensuring global food security and promoting environmental sustainability. However, at the regional level, the spatial differentiation patterns of its efficiency and underlying driving mechanisms—particularly the synergistic relationship between technical efficiency and scale efficiency—remain to be elucidated. This study focuses on Hebei Province, a key agricultural region in China. By constructing a multidimensional evaluation index system and employing a two-stage approach combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), we measure and analyze the operational efficiency and regional disparities of green agricultural product supply chains across 11 prefecture-level cities. Findings revealed that the overall efficiency of Hebei’s green agricultural product supply chains required improvement and exhibited a distinct spatial pattern characterized by “high-efficiency dominance with localized lags.” The core bottleneck lies in the failure of most regions to achieve effective synergy between technology and scale, resulting in widespread resource misallocation—either “technology without scale” or “scale without technology”—and causing some areas to experience diminishing returns to scale. Furthermore, excessive reliance on single factor advantages in many cities reveals structural vulnerabilities within their supply chain systems. This study’s primary contribution lies in deepening the understanding that efficiency cannot be driven by technology or scale alone. It theoretically emphasizes that the synergistic coupling of “technology-scale” is key to enhancing the efficiency of regional green agricultural product supply chains. These findings provide empirical evidence and policy insights for building a more resilient and balanced regional green agricultural system. Full article

29 pages, 4278 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Integrated Operational Capability of the Former General Electric Power Companies in Japan Based on Entropy-TOPSIS–Coupling Coordination–Grey Correlation Degree

by Bingying Ma and Seiichi Ogata

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10732; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310732 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

The Former General Electric Utility in Japan is a major participant in the electricity market. The integrated operational capabilities of these power companies have significant impacts on the stable development and sustainability of the power industry. This study evaluates the comprehensive operational capabilities [...] Read more.

The Former General Electric Utility in Japan is a major participant in the electricity market. The integrated operational capabilities of these power companies have significant impacts on the stable development and sustainability of the power industry. This study evaluates the comprehensive operational capabilities of these power companies from 2003 to 2015 and analyzes the indicators that may affect their operational capabilities. Establishing an evaluation index system comprising five subsystems, namely profitability, management, solvency, growth, and scale, and optimizing it using principal component analysis. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution was utilized to calculate the relative closeness of each company, with a score representing the integrated operational capabilities. Furthermore, coupling coordination and grey correlation analyses were conducted to assess the internal coordination among subsystems and to identify critical drivers of sustainable performance. The results show that (1) the Kyushu Electric Power Company and Tohoku Electric Power Company have strong integrated operational capabilities. (2) The five evaluation subsystems of integrated operational capability during the period of 2003–2015, fluctuated between moderate and high levels. (3) The top 5 indicators with the highest average grey correlation are as follows: “Hydropower capacity factor”, “Operating cash flow to current liabilities ratio”, “Operating profit growth rate”, “Net profit growth rate”, “Total capital utilization”. This study contributes to the sustainable management of the electricity industry by providing a systematic and data-driven assessment framework. The findings offer practical insights for optimizing corporate governance, enhancing energy efficiency, and formulating policy measures that support the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Japan’s power utilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)

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23 pages, 2735 KB

Open AccessArticle

Emergency Control Strategies Research for Sudden Pollution Incident in Long-Distance Water Diversion Tunnels

by Chenchen Ji, Boran Zhu, Meiling Li, Haipeng Bi, Xiaodong Xu, Junqiang Lin, Shangtuo Qian and Wei Huang

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10731; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310731 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

This study investigates emergency response strategies for sudden pollution incidents in long-distance water diversion tunnels. The tunnel section of the Yin Chao Ji Liao Project in Inner Mongolia is used as a case study. A one-dimensional hydrodynamic water quality model was developed in [...] Read more.

This study investigates emergency response strategies for sudden pollution incidents in long-distance water diversion tunnels. The tunnel section of the Yin Chao Ji Liao Project in Inner Mongolia is used as a case study. A one-dimensional hydrodynamic water quality model was developed in Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) to analyze pollutant transport characteristics in the tunnel under various operating conditions. Based on the actual engineering conditions, control scenarios with multiple flow rates and multiple gate combinations were set up. Emergency control strategies for sudden pollution events were developed to address extreme pollution scenarios. The feasibility of scheduling gate operations according to pollutant transport response time for effective pollution mitigation was evaluated. On this basis, an expression for calculating gate-operation timings for emergency pollution control was derived. The results indicate that the peak concentration in the tunnel shows a decreasing trend as the flow rate increases, and the change process shows a stage-by-stage characteristic. Accounting for the response time of water discharge can improve pollution disposal efficiency by 4.34–52.14%. The efficiency gains become increasingly pronounced at higher flow rates, indicating that this strategy can effectively enhance water discharge efficiency. Installing water quality monitoring instruments near the drainage gate section helps improve the precision of regulation and effectively enhances the timeliness and accuracy of operations, and provides a theoretical reference for on-site emergency regulation and control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable River and Lake Restoration: From Challenges to Solutions)

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18 pages, 7391 KB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Design and Resilient Cities: Simulating Crowd Behavior to Reduce Urban Risk

by Donato Di Ludovico, Federico Eugeni, Gennaro Zanfardino and Antinisca Di Marco

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10730; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310730 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

The growing incidence of natural and man-made disasters, exacerbated by climate change, has highlighted the role of urban planning and design in reducing the impact of the risks they pose. This refers to pre-disaster recovery planning (PDRP), an innovative practice that aims to [...] Read more.

The growing incidence of natural and man-made disasters, exacerbated by climate change, has highlighted the role of urban planning and design in reducing the impact of the risks they pose. This refers to pre-disaster recovery planning (PDRP), an innovative practice that aims to improve the response of urban contexts affected by a disaster, with urban planning actions implemented in peacetime, i.e., before the disaster occurs. This paper presents a methodology that integrates agent-based simulation and safety-based urban design within a sustainability-oriented urban planning framework. The methodology aims to support the design of safer and more resilient public spaces, focusing on open areas within heritage districts and operating within a sustainability-oriented urban planning framework. The proposed approach integrates simulation and design to evaluate the performance of existing spatial layouts under stress conditions and explore alternative configurations that optimize evacuation dynamics and minimize risks. The result of applying the simulation to the current urban context therefore allows for the identification of appropriate urban design techniques and practices aimed at defining alternative spatial scenarios and improving the urban form in terms of its evacuation performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Analysis and Spatial Planning for Sustainability in Urban Areas)

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37 pages, 7448 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phygital Enjoyment of the Landscape: Walkability and Digital Valorisation of the Phlegraean Fields

by Ivan Pistone, Antonio Acierno and Alessandra Pagliano

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10729; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310729 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

The contemporary landscape is characterised by overlapping values and pressures, where ecosystem services and cultural spaces are used by diverse categories of users. In fragile contexts such as the Phlegraean Fields in Italy, the exponential growth of mass tourism has intensified the anthropogenic [...] Read more.

The contemporary landscape is characterised by overlapping values and pressures, where ecosystem services and cultural spaces are used by diverse categories of users. In fragile contexts such as the Phlegraean Fields in Italy, the exponential growth of mass tourism has intensified the anthropogenic impacts, exacerbated by limited landscape awareness among local communities. Thus, walkability fosters direct exploration, while experiential transects provide a lens to read ecological, cultural, and perceptual layers of places. Together with digital storytelling, these approaches converge in a phygital approach that enriches physical experience without supplanting it. The study covered approximately 115 km of routes across five municipalities, combining road audits, an 11-item survey, participatory mapping, and ArcGIS StoryMaps. Results showed a structurally complex and functionally fragile mobility system: sidewalks are discontinuous, lighting insufficient, less than one quarter of the network is fully pedestrian, and cycling facilities are almost absent. At the same time, digital layers diversified routes and supported situated learning. By integrating geo-spatial analysis and phygital tools, the research demonstrates a replicable strategy to enhance the awareness and sustainable enjoyment of complex landscapes. The present research is part of the PNRR project Changes ‘PE5Changes_Spoke1-WP4-Historical Landscapes Traditions and Cultural Identities’. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study and Research Between Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development Goals for the Built Environment in Transition)

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12 pages, 2172 KB

Open AccessArticle

Micro/Nanoplastics Alter Daphnia magna Life History by Disrupting Glucose Metabolism and Intestinal Structure

by Biying Zhao, Chaoyang Zhang, Chunliu Wang and Hai-Ming Zhao

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10728; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310728 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Microplastic pollution poses growing risks to aquatic zooplankton, yet its impact on Daphnia magna life history remains incompletely understood. This study explored the influences of micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) on D. magna by exposing organisms to size- and concentration-varied microplastics, tracking microplastic distribution via fluorescence [...] Read more.

Microplastic pollution poses growing risks to aquatic zooplankton, yet its impact on Daphnia magna life history remains incompletely understood. This study explored the influences of micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) on D. magna by exposing organisms to size- and concentration-varied microplastics, tracking microplastic distribution via fluorescence imaging. Results demonstrated significant microplastic-induced impairments in growth and reproduction. Gut microbiota analysis revealed microplastic-altered microbial communities, with functional prediction identifying disrupted glucose metabolism as a key driver of life-history changes. Intestinal structure observations further showed microplastic-accelerated aging. Collectively, our findings highlight that microplastic accumulation in D. magna disrupts gut microbiota and tissue integrity, ultimately impairing life-history traits. These alterations in growth and gut characteristics of D. magna may further propagate through the aquatic food web, potentially damaging the intestinal structure and function of plankton communities. Given the pivotal role of zooplankton in nutrient cycling and energy transfer, our findings underscore that microplastic-induced disruptions in key species like D. magna could threaten the stability and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Treatment of Organic Pollutants and Microbial Degradation for Environmental Sustainability)

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Graphical abstract

28 pages, 1000 KB

Open AccessArticle

Points of Entry for Enhancing Policymakers’ Capacity to Develop Green Economy Agenda-Setting

by Mahawan Karuniasa and Thoriqi Firdaus

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10727; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310727 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Indonesia has articulated ambitious green economy objectives through frameworks such as the Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI). Despite this ambition, a critical research gap exists. The weak ‘green political capabilities’ of policymakers—defined as their ability to navigate political processes, build coalitions, and translate [...] Read more.

Indonesia has articulated ambitious green economy objectives through frameworks such as the Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI). Despite this ambition, a critical research gap exists. The weak ‘green political capabilities’ of policymakers—defined as their ability to navigate political processes, build coalitions, and translate technical knowledge into viable policy—hinder effective agenda-setting and implementation. This study addresses this deficit by identifying strategic points of entry for enhancing these capabilities to strengthen a more sustainable economic transition. Employing a mixed-methods approach guided by the UNDP Capacity Assessment Framework, this research gathered data from 170 stakeholders via workshops, focus group discussions, and surveys. The analysis identifies four principal entry points: (1) internal institutional development, (2) accreditation processes, (3) bureaucratic reform, and (4) external partnerships. Critically, ordinal regression reveals which actors most significantly influence capacity development priorities. Governmental/legislative institutions (Estimate = 1.855, p < 0.010) and the private sector (Estimate = 3.173, p < 0.020) exert a significant positive influence on advancing the green economy agenda. Conversely, competencies such as policy strengthening exhibit a significant negative correlation (Estimate = −3.467, p < 0.000), which indicates a concentration of need among institutions with substantial capacity gaps. The study’s key contribution is a framework for systematically integrating green competencies into national accreditation standards and bureaucratic reforms, providing a clear pathway to transform entry points into effective levers for enhancing the state’s green political capabilities. Full article

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26 pages, 2902 KB

Open AccessArticle

Community Perceptions of Ecosystem Services from Homegarden-Based Urban Agriculture in Bandung City, Indonesia

by Aji Saputra, Oekan S. Abdoellah, Gemilang Lara Utama, Indri Wulandari, Dede Mulyanto and Yusep Suparman

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10726; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310726 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Urban agriculture, particularly homegarden-based urban agriculture, has gained recognition as a valuable tool for promoting sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities. This study investigates community perceptions of the ecosystem services provided by homegarden-based urban agriculture in Bandung City, Indonesia. The research aims to assess [...] Read more.

Urban agriculture, particularly homegarden-based urban agriculture, has gained recognition as a valuable tool for promoting sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities. This study investigates community perceptions of the ecosystem services provided by homegarden-based urban agriculture in Bandung City, Indonesia. The research aims to assess how urban residents perceive the contributions of homegardens to food security, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key informants, while quantitative data were obtained from a survey of members of the urban agriculture community. The results revealed that homegardens play a supplementary role in food production, providing fresh produce but contributing only minimally to overall food security. They were recognized for their role in biodiversity conservation, microclimate regulation, disaster risk reduction, social cohesion, and improving mental well-being. Despite these benefits, challenges such as limited space, lack of knowledge, and competing land uses hinder the full integration of homegardens into urban systems. The findings suggest that enhancing education and policy support for urban agriculture can help maximize the utilization of the potential of homegardens in urban sustainability. Future research should focus on overcoming these barriers and exploring strategies for expanding homegarden practices in urban areas. Full article

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30 pages, 4900 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Effect of Metakaolin and Biochar Addition on the Performance of 3D Concrete Printing: A Meta-Analysis Approach

by Imtiaz Iqbal, Tala Kasim, Waleed Bin Inqiad, Svetlana Besklubova, Payam Sadrolodabaee, Daniel Jozef Nowakowski and Mujib Rahman

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10725; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310725 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) concrete printing (3DCP) is an emerging digital construction technology that enables geometrically complex structures with reduced labour, material waste, and formwork. However, the sustainability of 3DCP remains constrained by its heavy reliance on Portland cement, a major source of global CO [...] Read more.

Three-dimensional (3D) concrete printing (3DCP) is an emerging digital construction technology that enables geometrically complex structures with reduced labour, material waste, and formwork. However, the sustainability of 3DCP remains constrained by its heavy reliance on Portland cement, a major source of global CO₂ emissions. This study systematically examines metakaolin (MK) and biochar (BC) as sustainable additives for 3DCP, focusing on their independent effects on mechanical performance, printability, dimensional stability, and environmental impact. A comprehensive literature review (2015 to June 2025) identified 254 publications, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria for quantitative meta-analysis, contributing a total of 95 datasets for compressive and flexural strength. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model, supported by risk-of-bias and heterogeneity analyses. The results indicate statistically significant improvements in mechanical properties, with an overall pooled ratio of means (ROM) of 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06–1.20; I² = 48.9%), representing the overall mechanical performance effect across all datasets, while ROM for compressive and flexural strength was calculated separately in the main analysis. Meta-regression revealed that BC increased compressive and flexural strengths by 7% and 9%, respectively, while MK achieved greater enhancements of 21% and 13.4%. Optimum performance was observed at 15–20% MK for compressive strength and 10–15% for flexural strength, whereas BC performed best at 3–5% and 2–5%, respectively. BC contributed to CO₂ reductions of up to 43% through clinker substitution and biogenic carbon sequestration. These findings demonstrate that MK and BC are complementary eco-efficient modifiers capable of enhancing both structural and environmental performance in 3DCP. Future research should address long-term durability, standardisation of printing parameters, and cradle-to-grave life cycle assessments to strengthen practical implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Bio-Inspired Materials for Sustainable Construction Evolution)

26 pages, 2715 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Security Assessment Based on Sensitivity, Connectivity, and Ecosystem Service Value and Pattern Construction: A Case Study of Chengmai County, China

by Yaoyao Zhao, Yuan Feng, Qing Liu, Yixian Mo, Shuhai Zhuo and Peng Zhou

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10724; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310724 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Against the backdrop of continuous natural space loss and accelerated urbanization, considerable attention has been directed toward balancing economic development demands with the protection of fragile ecosystems within limited spatial boundaries to achieve regional sustainable development. This study therefore focuses on Chengmai County, [...] Read more.

Against the backdrop of continuous natural space loss and accelerated urbanization, considerable attention has been directed toward balancing economic development demands with the protection of fragile ecosystems within limited spatial boundaries to achieve regional sustainable development. This study therefore focuses on Chengmai County, a small-scale region prioritizing both green development and ecological conservation. Land-use changes and trends in ecosystem services value (ESV) from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed. An ecological security assessment model was developed, integrating ecosystem services, ecological sensitivity, and landscape connectivity, which enabled the identification of areas with high ecological security value as ecological sources. Ecological corridors and nodes were extracted using the minimum cumulative resistance model and the gravity model, culminating in the construction of Chengmai County’s ecological security pattern through overlay analysis. The main findings are summarized as follows: (1) Construction land expanded rapidly between 2000 and 2020. The ecological sensitivity of Chengmai County displayed a spatial distribution pattern of “high in the south, low in the north,” while ESV exhibited a pattern of “high in the central-south and low in the northeast,” showing an overall increasing trend. (2) The overall ecological security status was relatively favorable. A total of 10 ecological nodes and 45 ecological corridors were identified, including 16 core corridors. (3) Based on these analyses, an ecological security pattern described as “one axis, two belts, and three zones” was established for Chengmai County. This study provides a practical spatial strategy for ecological conservation and sustainable development in Chengmai County and offers a transferable methodological framework for similar coastal regions facing development pressures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services in the Planning and Sustainable Development of Urban Green Spaces)

22 pages, 413 KB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Courts and Supply Chain Financing in China

by Kandi Yang, Guangfan Sun, Xueqin Hu and Yao Wang

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10723; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310723 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

The institutionalization of environmental courts enhances regional environmental enforcement efficacy, which in turn exerts intensified regulatory pressure on local pollution intensive enterprises. Empirical evidence confirms that such judicial mechanisms significantly improve the supply chain financing capacity of regulated firms through a green governance [...] Read more.

The institutionalization of environmental courts enhances regional environmental enforcement efficacy, which in turn exerts intensified regulatory pressure on local pollution intensive enterprises. Empirical evidence confirms that such judicial mechanisms significantly improve the supply chain financing capacity of regulated firms through a green governance channel. This causal pathway operates via three interrelated mechanisms: increased environmental disclosure transparency, strategic recruitment of executives with environmental expertise, and systematic ESG performance upgrades. Collectively these adaptations enable polluting enterprises to achieve better supply chain financing conditions. Subgroup analysis identifies three dimensions of heterogeneous treatment effects. First, the financing enhancement effect is more pronounced among larger enterprises due to their greater resource allocation flexibility. Second, firms with gender-diverse leadership, particularly those employing female executives, demonstrate stronger responsiveness to environmental regulations. Third, enterprises operating in less technology intensive sectors benefit more substantially from compliance driven financing improvements, as their operational structures are more amenable to rapid environmental governance adjustments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Strategy, Corporate Growth and Risk Perspectives)

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25 pages, 528 KB

Open AccessArticle

Green Fund Shareholding and Corporate Carbon Performance: An Empirical Analysis Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Companies

by Qiao Chang and Hua Wang

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10722; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310722 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Against the global low-carbon transition, China, as one of the world’s major carbon emitters, relies on green finance to drive corporate carbon reduction. However, existing research has paid limited attention to green funds, an important component of China’s green finance system, leaving their [...] Read more.

Against the global low-carbon transition, China, as one of the world’s major carbon emitters, relies on green finance to drive corporate carbon reduction. However, existing research has paid limited attention to green funds, an important component of China’s green finance system, leaving their role in shaping corporate carbon performance understudied. This study addresses this gap by exploring how green fund shareholding affects corporate carbon performance. Using data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2022, this work employed baseline regression, robustness checks, mediation analysis, and heterogeneity tests. Key findings include: green fund shareholding is associated with significant improvements in corporate carbon performance; green technology innovation plays a partial mediating role in this relationship; external supervision positively moderates the link between green fund shareholding and corporate carbon performance; and the positive effect tends to be more pronounced for firms with higher green fund ownership and net value ratios. This study helps fill the gap of ignoring investor heterogeneity in prior related research. It also suggests that regulators could optimize information disclosure and supervision for green funds, while enterprises may strengthen collaboration with green funds, providing support for China’s green finance development and corporate low-carbon transition. Full article

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21 pages, 616 KB

Open AccessArticle

Can Virtual Influencers Drive Online Consumer Behavior? An Applied Examination of ELM Model Investigating the Marketing Effects of Virtual Influencers

by Wei-Kuo Tseng and Chueh-Chu Ou

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10721; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310721 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of social media and AI technologies, influencer marketing has evolved significantly. Virtual influencers have emerged as alternatives to traditional human influencers. Grounded in the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), this study examines how virtual influencers’ source credibility dimensions (expertise, attractiveness, [...] Read more.

With the rapid advancement of social media and AI technologies, influencer marketing has evolved significantly. Virtual influencers have emerged as alternatives to traditional human influencers. Grounded in the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), this study examines how virtual influencers’ source credibility dimensions (expertise, attractiveness, and trustworthiness) affect consumer attitudes and purchase intentions. Using the case of virtual influencer Imma, this study collected 344 valid online survey responses. The empirical results show that, along the central route, perceived product value has a significant and positive effect on purchase intention. Along the peripheral route, the trustworthiness, attractiveness, and expertise of the virtual influencer all exert significant positive effects on purchase intention. However, product involvement moderates these effects differently: for high-involvement consumers, the effects of trustworthiness and attractiveness on purchase intention are significantly strengthened, while the moderating effects on expertise and perceived value remain non-significant. This study contributes to the emerging literature on virtual influencer marketing by demonstrating how source credibility dimensions and perceived value interact with product involvement to shape consumer responses. Additionally, virtual influencers offer sustainability benefits by minimizing carbon emissions from travel and physical production inherent in traditional influencer campaigns. The findings offer practical implications for marketers: virtual influencers can effectively enhance brand exposure, but their persuasive impact varies by product involvement requiring tailored content strategies for high- versus low-involvement products. Furthermore, future research could extend this work by examining the effects of different product categories and cultural contexts on the effectiveness of virtual influencer marketing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI-Powered Virtual Assistants in Sustainable Marketing: Enhancing Customer Experience Through Innovation Technologies)

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19 pages, 9152 KB

Open AccessArticle

Decoding Climate–Soil Interactions in Kazakhstan’s Drylands: Insights from PCA and SHAP Analyses

by Raushan Ramazanova, Alexander Ulman, Vitaliy Salnikov, Konstantin Pachikin, Zhanar Raimbekova, Azamat Yershibul and Yersultan Songulov

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10720; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310720 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Soil degradation in arid ecosystems is a major threat to sustainable development and food security, especially under accelerating climate change. Kazakhstan, where more than 70% of agricultural land suffers from salinisation, erosion, and humus loss, offers a representative case for studying climate-driven degradation. [...] Read more.

Soil degradation in arid ecosystems is a major threat to sustainable development and food security, especially under accelerating climate change. Kazakhstan, where more than 70% of agricultural land suffers from salinisation, erosion, and humus loss, offers a representative case for studying climate-driven degradation. This study quantitatively assessed the influence of air temperature, precipitation, aridity index, and extreme climatic events on soil properties in the arid regions of western Kazakhstan (Atyrau and Mangystau). The analysis integrated long-term meteorological time series (1941–2023) with field and laboratory data (1967–2024) into a harmonised dataset of 1330 records. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified four degradation gradients explaining 73.6% of total variance, while Random Forest and SHAP algorithms quantified variable importance. Mean annual temperature, frequency of arid years, and aridity index were the strongest predictors of humus, salinity, pH, and CO₂ parameters, with climate factors accounting for up to 30% of soil variability. The findings demonstrate that climatic stressors are the main drivers of soil degradation in arid zones, with climate factors explaining up to 30% of the variability in key soil properties (humus, salinity, pH, and CO₂)—a substantial proportion that underscores their dominant role relative to local geochemical and anthropogenic influences. The proposed hybrid PCA—Random Forest/SHAP framework provides a robust tool for analysing climate–soil interactions and supports the design of adaptive land-use strategies to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in Kazakhstan and other arid regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Soil Conservation and Sustainability)

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25 pages, 7660 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability-Oriented Ultra-Short-Term Wind Farm Cluster Power Prediction Based on an Improved TCN–BiGRU Hybrid Model

by Ruifeng Gao, Zhanqiang Zhang, Keqilao Meng, Yingqi Gao and Wenyu Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10719; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310719 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

With the large-scale integration of wind power into the grid, the accuracy of wind farm cluster power prediction has become a key factor for the sustainability of modern power systems. Reliable ultra-short-term forecasts support the secure dispatch of high-penetration renewable energy, reduce wind [...] Read more.

With the large-scale integration of wind power into the grid, the accuracy of wind farm cluster power prediction has become a key factor for the sustainability of modern power systems. Reliable ultra-short-term forecasts support the secure dispatch of high-penetration renewable energy, reduce wind curtailment, and improve the low-carbon and economical operation of power systems. Aiming at the problem of significant differences in wind turbine characteristics, this paper proposes a prediction method based on an improved density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) and a hybrid deep learning model. First, the wind speed signal is decomposed at multiple scales using successive variational modal decomposition (SVMD) to reduce non-stationarity. Subsequently, the DBSCAN parameters are optimized by the fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA), and dimensionality reduction is performed by principal component analysis (PCA) to achieve efficient clustering of wind turbines. Next, the representative turbines with the highest correlation are selected in each cluster to reduce computational complexity. Finally, the SVMD-TCN-BiGRU-MSA-GJO hybrid model is constructed, and long-term dependence is extracted using a temporal convolutional network (TCN); the temporal features are captured by bidirectional gated recurrent units (BiGRUs); the feature weights are optimized by a multi-head self-attention mechanism (MSA), and the hyper-parameters are, in turn, optimized by golden jackal optimization (GJO). The experimental results show that this method reduces the MAE, RMSE, and MAPE by 14.02%, 12.9%, and 13.84%, respectively, and improves R² by 3.9% on average compared with the traditional model, which significantly improves prediction accuracy and stability. These improvements enable more accurate scheduling of wind power, lower reserve requirements, and enhanced stability and sustainability of power system operation under high renewable penetration. Full article

27 pages, 3402 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Nature-Inspired Optimization Models and Robust Machine-Learning Approaches in Predicting the Sustainable Building Energy Consumption: Case of Multivariate Energy Performance Dataset

by Mümine Kaya Keleş, Abdullah Emre Keleş, Elif Kavak and Jarosław Górecki

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10718; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310718 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

Accurate prediction of building energy loads is essential for smart buildings and sustainable energy management. While machine learning (ML) approaches outperform traditional statistical models at capturing nonlinear relationships, most studies primarily optimize prediction accuracy, overlooking the importance of computational efficiency and feature compactness, [...] Read more.

Accurate prediction of building energy loads is essential for smart buildings and sustainable energy management. While machine learning (ML) approaches outperform traditional statistical models at capturing nonlinear relationships, most studies primarily optimize prediction accuracy, overlooking the importance of computational efficiency and feature compactness, which are critical in real-time, resource-constrained environments. This study aims to evaluate whether hybrid nature-inspired feature-selection techniques can enhance the accuracy and computational efficiency of ML-based building energy load prediction. Using the UCI Energy Efficiency dataset, eight ML models (LightGBM, CatBoost, XGBoost, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Extra Trees, Linear Regression, Support Vector Regression) were trained under feature subsets obtained from the Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA), Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm (GWO), and a hybrid BOA–GWO approach. Model performance was evaluated using three metrics (MAE, RMSE, and R²), along with training time, prediction time, and the number of selected features. The results show that gradient-boosting models consistently yield the highest accuracy, with CatBoost achieving an R² of 0.99 or higher. The proposed hybrid BOA–GWO method achieved competitive accuracy with fewer features and reduced training time, demonstrating its suitability for efficient ML deployment in smart building environments. Rather than proposing a new metaheuristic algorithm, this study contributes by adapting a hybrid BOA–GWO feature-selection strategy to the building energy domain and evaluating its benefits under a multi-criteria performance framework. The findings support the practical adoption of hybrid feature-selection-supported ML pipelines for intelligent building systems, energy management platforms, and IoT-based real-time applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency and Innovative Material Application in Sustainable Buildings)

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17 pages, 1301 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Economy’s Impact on Tourism Eco-Efficiency: An Empirical Analysis of Chinese Cities

by Hong Shi, Caiqing Chen, Lu Gan, Taohong Li and Yijun Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10717; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310717 (registering DOI) - 30 Nov 2025

Abstract

The tourism industry’s strong integration with the digital economy has recognized as a development trend. Tourism eco-efficiency is a useful indicator of the industry’s capacity for sustainable development. More thorough research is required to determine how the degree of digital economy development affects [...] Read more.

The tourism industry’s strong integration with the digital economy has recognized as a development trend. Tourism eco-efficiency is a useful indicator of the industry’s capacity for sustainable development. More thorough research is required to determine how the degree of digital economy development affects tourism eco-efficiency in the backdrop of the sustainable tourism development. In order to evaluate the tourism eco-efficiency of 275 Chinese prefecture-level cities, this study builds a super-SBM model with unexpected output. We empirically determine the impact of the comprehensive development of the digital economy on eco-efficiency with a panel model (2011–2017). The analysis findings show the following: (1) Eco-efficiency in China is consistently maintained at the level of 0.5, with a gradient that puts the east ahead of the central, northeastern, and western regions. (2) Urban eco-efficiency is significantly inhibited by China’s digital economy, with notable regional variation. (3) The inhibiting effect of the degree of digital economic development on TEE can be mitigated by environmental quality. Strategic policy ideas for improving urban tourism eco-efficiency are included in the paper’s conclusion. Full article

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

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22 pages, 1132 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Global Innovations in Sustainable Pharmaceutical Packaging in the Last 25 Years: A Scoping Review

by Sophie Jackman, Peter Mc Guinness, Lia Brennan, Ruby Pereira, Anne Tyrrell, Anna Maria Barry, Cait Brennan and Bernard D. Naughton

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10716; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310716 (registering DOI) - 29 Nov 2025

Abstract

Pharmaceutical packaging is integral to the efficacy, safety, quality and regulatory compliance of medicinal products. However, traditional pharmaceutical packaging can cause harmful environmental effects due to a lack of eco-design methods, excessive use of synthetic materials, and a lack of effective recycling techniques. [...] Read more.

Pharmaceutical packaging is integral to the efficacy, safety, quality and regulatory compliance of medicinal products. However, traditional pharmaceutical packaging can cause harmful environmental effects due to a lack of eco-design methods, excessive use of synthetic materials, and a lack of effective recycling techniques. In response, a range of innovations in sustainable pharmaceutical packaging have emerged to mitigate these environmental effects. This scoping review aims to identify and map global innovations in sustainable pharmaceutical packaging developed within the last 25 years, examine implementation challenges, identify gaps in the literature, and suggest a framework to guide the pharmaceutical industry in adopting these eco-innovations. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, this review analysed 100 studies from grey and academic literature published between the years 2000 and 2025. Data extraction and thematic analysis was performed and revealed four main areas of innovation: biodegradable materials, design, smart technology, and waste management. Key barriers to their adoption include regulatory, safety, and economic challenges. One gap identified in the literaturewas the lack of a framework to aid the implementation of innovations in sustainable pharmaceutical packaging. Therefore, this review also proposes a responsible packaging innovation framework. Full article

23 pages, 13906 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Events Empower the Countryside: A Study of Rural Household Livelihoods in Traditional Villages of Ethnic Mountainous Areas Influenced by Guizhou’s “Village Super League”

by Keru Luo, Fangqin Yang, Jianwei Sun, Jing Luo, Jiaxing Cui, Xuesong Kong, Xiaojian Chen, Ya Wang and Shuyang Huang

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10715; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310715 (registering DOI) - 29 Nov 2025

Abstract

As an emerging sports tourism event, Guizhou’s “Village Super League” injects new vitality into the optimization of human–land relationships and the development of household livelihoods in traditional villages of ethnic mountainous regions. Studying five affected traditional tourism villages from an “event–actor–capital” perspective using [...] Read more.

As an emerging sports tourism event, Guizhou’s “Village Super League” injects new vitality into the optimization of human–land relationships and the development of household livelihoods in traditional villages of ethnic mountainous regions. Studying five affected traditional tourism villages from an “event–actor–capital” perspective using mixed methods, this research finds the following: (1) The composite average score of household livelihood capital is 0.3177, indicating a medium–low level, which suggests that households’ livelihood structure still requires significant enhancement despite the tourism boost from the “Village Super League”. (2) There is an imbalance in development among the villages. The livelihoods of households under the influence of the “Village Super League” exhibit distinct characteristics, being “driven by external flows, led by social capital, supported by the material foundation, and coordinated with other forms of capital.” (3) The evolution of household livelihoods follows a pathway of “event-driven supplementation, endogenous renewal of actors, capital integration and synergy.” By constructing shared event memory markers, the livelihoods of villages at different stages of tourism development demonstrate differentiated dynamic mechanisms. The findings deepen the theoretical understanding of livelihoods in traditional villages under event-driven development. Consequently, this study recommends that policymakers and community stewards channel transient social capital and external flows into durable physical and financial assets to ensure livelihood sustainability beyond the initial event boom. Full article

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