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The Role of Low-Carbon Literacy in the Leisure, Health, Sports and Tourism Industries

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 3000

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. School of Physical Education, Jiaying University, Meizhou City 514015, China
2. Department of Healthcare Industry Technology Development and Management, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan
Interests: leisure behavior; leisure psychology; sports training; sustainable economy; interdisciplinary research
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Guest Editor
Department of Healthcare Industry Technology Development and Management, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan
Interests: sports massage; sports psychology; technology and health industry management
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Environment, Saigon University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
Interests: environmental economics; corporate environmental responsibility; environmental policy; life cycle assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

While leisure, sports and tourism activities contribute positively to human development, they also bring notable environmental challenges (Tribe, 2020; Lin et al., 2024). For example, the deforestation or destruction of communities to build infrastructure for tourism can lead to significant environmental harm (Wondirad and Ewnetu, 2019). Additionally, modes of transportation used in these activities, such as airplanes and cars, produce fuel emissions, noise pollution and waste (Chandel, 2022). Public attitudes towards consumption, especially in leisure and tourism, often reflect a desire for unlimited resource use, resulting in ecological damage, excessive waste and a strain on facilities. Furthermore, in pursuit of short-term profit, some businesses compromise service quality and engage in deceptive practices (Sadiqe Ali Mohsen, 2023). Such unsustainable development not only hinders government efforts to boost the economy and improve living standards but also leads to resource depletion, environmental degradation and growing public discontent with local tourism industries.

To mitigate these issues, it is essential to raise public environmental awareness and promote low-carbon, sustainable consumption models in leisure, sports and tourism. These models will foster both economic sustainability and environmental protection while enhancing human well-being.

Low-carbon literacy is key to this effort, educating the public on sustainable consumption through government and scientific initiatives, including financial investment, research and public awareness campaigns. It emphasizes the need to understand the damaging effects of excessive leisure and tourism activities on the climate and ecosystems. By fostering respect for natural resources and the importance of biodiversity, low-carbon literacy can encourage sustainable behaviors in daily life and leisure activities. Ultimately, this approach seeks to strike a balance between economic growth, environmental conservation and human health.

The significance of carbon reduction has been long established. In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) underscored its importance and the 2019 EAT-Lancet report highlighted how healthy consumption and diets can stabilize both human health and economic development. In 2012, Health Care Without Harm emphasized that carbon reduction efforts can also yield economic benefits. Research shows that low-carbon behaviors do not necessarily limit leisure, sports, tourism, or health activities. Instead, these behaviors can enhance economic, health and well-being outcomes (HUANG, 2011; Preedy, 2024; Xiong, 2024; Health Systems and Facilities, 2024).

However, studies by Wu (2021), Zheng et al. (2021) and Lin et al. (2023, 2024) suggest that policy outcomes and research findings may evolve over time due to various human and environmental factors. The effectiveness of policies can be influenced by political culture, public education, leisure preferences and other social dynamics (Ferreira et al., 2021; McAteer et al., 2021; Jayasekara et al., 2024; Ozbey et al., 2024). It's important to recognize that many current research conclusions are based on assumptions that may not be universally applicable across different regions, cultures, or socioeconomic contexts.

In light of these complexities, we are launching this special issue to gather global perspectives and research on the effectiveness of low-carbon literacy education, government policies and corporate strategies in fostering sustainable practices in the leisure, sports, tourism and health industries. We particularly encourage studies that explore public consumption attitudes and behaviors, the role of low-carbon education in promoting sustainable practices and the broader impact of these efforts on the economy, environment and public well-being.

This special issue invites original research articles and reviews on a range of topics, including but not limited to:

  1. The regulatory impact of low-carbon education policies on the leisure, sports, tourism and health industries, as well as the economy, environment and public well-being.
  2. The influence of low-carbon behaviors on the leisure, sports, tourism and health sectors and their effects on the economy, environment and well-being.
  3. The economic, environmental, health and social impact of low-carbon industries in the leisure, sports, tourism and health sectors.
  4. The role of low-carbon literacy in promoting sustainable economic, environmental and health outcomes.

We encourage scholars from diverse fields such as leisure, sports, health, education, economics and environmental studies to submit innovative research addressing these topics. Interdisciplinary approaches and studies utilizing mixed research methods are particularly welcome. We believe that this special issue will offer valuable insights into how low-carbon literacy and sustainable practices can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for both economic and ecological systems.

Dr. Hsiao-Hsien Lin
Prof. Dr. Chin-Hsien Hsu
Dr. Ha-Manh Bui
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

  • low carbon literacy
  • conservation behavior
  • education policy
  • environmental economics
  • corporate social responsibility
  • university social responsibility
  • health promotion
  • well-being

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 545 KiB  
Article
Revisiting Emissions: How Economic Structure, Financial Development, Urbanisation, Trade Openness, and Natural Resource Rent Shape CO2 and N2O
by Thi Phuong Thuy Mai, Bich Ha Dam, Thi Thuy Van Ha, Thanh Van Pho, Gia Quyen Phan and Tran Thai Ha Nguyen
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4872; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114872 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 476
Abstract
Achieving zero carbon emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change and meeting global targets. This study examines the economic and financial drivers of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions using a panel dataset of 141 developed and [...] Read more.
Achieving zero carbon emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change and meeting global targets. This study examines the economic and financial drivers of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions using a panel dataset of 141 developed and developing countries from 1990 to 2020. Employing the generalised method of moments (GMM), the findings indicate that industrial and manufactural activities remain the dominant source of CO2 emissions, particularly in developed economies, while agriculture is a major contributor to N2O emissions, especially in developing countries. While the service sector reduces both emissions, the effect is more pronounced for CO2 than for N2O. Urbanisation, trade openness, and natural resource rents also positively correlate with emissions. However, financial development presents a dual effect, offering the potential for emissions reduction through green financing. These insights underscore the need for targeted policies, including stricter industrial regulations, sustainable agricultural practices, green urban planning, and financial strategies that support low-carbon transitions. Full article
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22 pages, 586 KiB  
Article
Youth Well-Being and Economic Vitality: Fostering Sustainable Development Through Green Leisure Sports
by Qianqian Zhou, Yong-Zhan Zheng, Hsiao-Hsien Lin, Xue-Qi Yan, Rui Peng, I-En Tsai and Yi-Han Tseng
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9847; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229847 - 12 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1664
Abstract
This study delves into the transformative potential of low-carbon leisure education (LCLE) in promoting sustainable development within rural lake regions, focusing particularly on its impact on youth well-being and regional economic vitality. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed 650 participants and conducted interviews [...] Read more.
This study delves into the transformative potential of low-carbon leisure education (LCLE) in promoting sustainable development within rural lake regions, focusing particularly on its impact on youth well-being and regional economic vitality. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed 650 participants and conducted interviews with experts, visitors, and locals to gauge the effectiveness of LCLE initiatives. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between LCLE engagements and improvements in the leisure environment, economic development, and ecological conservation. However, the study reveals a youth welfare divide, whereby younger individuals are unable to fully benefit from LCLE programs due to gaps in environmental consciousness and accessibility. The paper proposes a holistic approach to LCLE that includes enhancing environmental awareness among youth, making participation in low-carbon leisure activities more accessible and affordable, and fostering a culture of sustainable enjoyment. The expected outcomes suggest strengthened rural economies, enriched leisure and ecological environments, and a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle for the younger population. This research underscores the importance of integrating educational initiatives into rural development strategies, thereby contributing to the knowledge economy through innovative approaches to sustainability and youth engagement in rural settings. Full article
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