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Awareness, Understanding, and Mitigation Measures of Climate Change Towards Sustainable Development

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1447

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Center of Excellence for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Modeling (DAIM), University of Hull, Hull, UK
Interests: data science and machine learning; explainable AI; citizen science; smart cities and sustainability; edge computing

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Guest Editor
School of IT & Engineering, Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Interests: IoT and sustainability; climate change; generative AI applications
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate awareness of citizens is crucial for policymakers as it supports them with the understanding needed to tackle the multifaceted climate change issues for environmental sustainability. This awareness is crucial for developing and implementing policies that address environmental pollution challenges and adaptation strategies. Understanding the citizens’ level of awareness initiates informed decision making that allows policymakers to create effective policies, considering scientific consensus and the potential consequences of inaction. Additionally, it advocates for robust climate policies that drive policymakers to prioritize climate action and maintain accountability. Economic considerations, such as the impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare, further underscore the importance of climate awareness in policy development.

By understanding the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities, policymakers can target support and adaptation strategies for those most at risk, which is very crucial in developing countries. This awareness influences policy decisions in various ways, including setting ambitious emission reduction targets through mechanisms such as carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and energy efficiency standards. Adaptation measures, such as coastal protection and drought mitigation plans, are essential for preparing for climate impacts. Investment in green technology supports the development of clean energy solutions and sustainable infrastructure. Moreover, establishing and enforcing environmental regulations helps industries reduce their emissions. Overall, climate awareness enables policymakers to develop and implement effective policies that address climate change challenges, ensuring a sustainable future for their constituents.

1. The following are the scope and purpose of this Special Issue:

Scope

  • A comprehensive understanding of the scientific consensus on climate change.
  • The recognition of the economic, environmental, and social consequences of climate inaction.
  • Understanding citizens’ awareness to address climate change.
  • A consideration of the needs of different communities in policy development.
  • The integration of climate awareness into all aspects of policy development.
  • The creation of comprehensive policies for immediate and long-term sustainability and resilience.

Purpose

  • Equip policymakers with the knowledge to make informed decisions on climate change.
  • Data-driven analytics that supports adaptation strategies for climate impacts.
  • Respond to citizens’ understanding by policymakers and support for robust climate policies.
  • Consider the economic implications of climate change in policy development.
  • Ensure a sustainable and resilient future for constituents, protecting the environment, economy, and public health from adverse climate effects.

2. Suggest how the issue will usefully supplement (relate to) existing literature.

A detailed discussion on the scope and purpose of climate awareness for policymakers provides future researchers with a solid framework for understanding the intersection of policy and climate science. It highlights the importance of integrating scientific knowledge, economic impacts, social considerations, and international cooperation into policy development. Future researchers can build on this foundation by exploring how different policies have been implemented globally and their effectiveness in mitigating climate change. Moreover, understanding the critical role of public pressure, economic implications, and support for vulnerable communities can guide researchers in assessing the broader impacts of climate policies and identifying areas for improvement. This comprehensive approach ensures that future research is informed, and relevant, and contributes to the ongoing efforts to address climate change and create a sustainable future.

Dr. Bhuepsh Mishra
Dr. Rajan Kadel
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate awareness
  • informed decision making
  • climate policies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

25 pages, 3545 KiB  
Article
Awareness and Understanding of Climate Change for Environmental Sustainability Using a Mix-Method Approach: A Study in the Kathmandu Valley
by Ramesh Shrestha, Rajan Kadel, Shreeya Shakya, Nishna Nyachhyon and Bhupesh Kumar Mishra
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 2819; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072819 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 934
Abstract
Climate change is a global phenomenon having wide-ranging social, economic, ecological, and environmental sustainability implications. This study assesses climate change awareness, understanding, causes, mitigation measures, and practices among residents of the Kathmandu Valley through a mixed-method approach. Quantitative surveys with 433 respondents and [...] Read more.
Climate change is a global phenomenon having wide-ranging social, economic, ecological, and environmental sustainability implications. This study assesses climate change awareness, understanding, causes, mitigation measures, and practices among residents of the Kathmandu Valley through a mixed-method approach. Quantitative surveys with 433 respondents and four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) are conducted with diverse demographics. Descriptive statistics is used to summarize quantitative data, and the chi-square (χ2) test is used to measure the associations between awareness, understanding, causes, mitigation measures, and practices among various demographics. The analysis shows that respondents frequently link climate change to extreme weather events, particularly flooding, severe hot and cold waves, and changes in rain precipitation patterns. Furthermore, the respondents identify deforestation, industrialization, and fossil fuels as the primary causes, with mitigation strategies such as afforestation, recycling waste, and use of renewable energies for long-term environmental sustainability. Similarly, the survey analysis also revealed that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are major drivers of climate change; individuals, industries, and governments are held accountable for climate change with industries as key polluters. Furthermore, individuals are self-aware to adopt sustainable practices, and the government can play a vital role through policies promoting renewable energy, afforestation, and waste management, alongside raising awareness. Other highlights of the analysis have been raising voices of collective action at all levels, which is crucial to mitigate the impact of climate change. The study also addresses the gaps in comprehensive climate literacy and underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to foster informed climate actions within the community. Likewise, the study brings the findings that policymakers should prioritize inclusive engagement strategies, ensuring that climate policies and adaptation programs are accessible, particularly to those who are less represented in environmental discourse, such as older adults and unschooled individuals. Full article
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