sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Sustainable Household Behaviors: Consumption and Mobility

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Viewed by 50863

Editor


E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Economic Analysis, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain and Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), 53113 Bonn, Germany
Interests: household economics; population behaviors; labor markets; urban

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is clear that environmental impacts from household activities have grown in recent decades and are expected to intensify in the future. Households, as a group, are not the largest contributor to the most sustainable pressures, but their impact is significant and will almost certainly intensify. In this context, it is essential to better understand household environmental behaviors by analyzing the factors underlying households’ choices. This Special Issue is dedicated to the sustainable day-to day actions of households in two specific areas: consumption and mobility. A better understanding of the determinants of both consumption and mobility decisions will provide useful insights for policy makers. In particular, the Special Issue addresses questions such as i) the effects of sociodemographic, attitudinal, and contextual factors in sustainable household behaviors, with respect to consumption (food, energy, water, waste, etc.) and mobility (public and private commuting, school-to-home transportation, recreational mobility, etc.) and ii) households’ responsiveness to various kinds of environmental policy measures, addressed in these two areas. Thus, two crucial aspects in the debate over sustainable consumption and mobility are the importance of behavioral changes, and the role of government in providing essential infrastructure for the population to engage in more sustainable lifestyles. Most countries have implemented policies to reduce the environmental impacts from household activities, but most of these policies have resulted in only limited changes in behavior, with overall results appearing to be modest. Governments are working to help households to reduce their environmental impacts, with policies that promote sustainable behaviors, by examining the efficacy of different types of policy instruments and by identifying combinations of instruments for promoting more sustainable behaviors. This Special Issue intends, from a multidisciplinary approach, to provide new insights to policy makers for the design of environmental policies in consumption and mobility, with the primary objective being to change individual behaviors.

Prof. José Alberto Molina
Collection Editor

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 collection 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

  • household economics
  • population behaviors
  • consumption
  • mobility

Published Papers (12 papers)

2024

Jump to: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

13 pages, 2392 KiB  
Article
Fishing Declines as a Driver of Human Mobility
by Lidia Márquez, Eva García-Vázquez and Eduardo Dopico
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 8742; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208742 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 695
Abstract
Nowadays, improved fishing technology and depleted stocks cause fishery shocks in sensitive regions that lead to job losses and added insecurity. In fishery-dependent communities, more and more fishers are moving countries looking for a living. This study aims to know the perception of [...] Read more.
Nowadays, improved fishing technology and depleted stocks cause fishery shocks in sensitive regions that lead to job losses and added insecurity. In fishery-dependent communities, more and more fishers are moving countries looking for a living. This study aims to know the perception of migrants in Spain about the sustainability of fishing in their countries of origin and how this perception influenced their individual behaviors and their decision to move. To this end, 203 families from 32 countries differentially affected by fishery shocks in Africa and Latin America were interviewed face-to-face to quantify the perceived weight of fishery changes on their decision to move, compared with socioeconomic and security reasons. The perception of fishing declines and their importance as a cause of mobility were positively and significantly correlated. Our study highlights the important and unexplored link between human mobility and fishery depletion, supporting the idea that fishing declines—induced at least partially by climate change—are one of the causes of mobility. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2480 KiB  
Article
Model of Sustainable Household Mobility in Multi-Modal Transportation Networks
by Igor Kabashkin
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7802; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177802 - 7 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1049
Abstract
Nowadays, urban and suburban areas face increasing environmental pressures, and encouraging sustainable transportation behaviors at the household level has become crucial. This paper presents a model of a decision support system (DSS) for promoting sustainable household mobility choices in multi-modal transport networks. The [...] Read more.
Nowadays, urban and suburban areas face increasing environmental pressures, and encouraging sustainable transportation behaviors at the household level has become crucial. This paper presents a model of a decision support system (DSS) for promoting sustainable household mobility choices in multi-modal transport networks. The system was modeled using an enhanced Petri Net approach, allowing for the dynamic representation of complex transport networks and multi-modal journey options. The model incorporated various sustainability factors. These were combined into a single environmental impact score, which was considered alongside travel time and cost in the route optimization process. Simulation results demonstrated the DSS’s capability to guide users toward more sustainable mobility choices. The model also showed potential as a tool for policymakers to assess the impact of various sustainable transportation initiatives and infrastructure investments. This paper discussed the versatile applications of the system. It also addressed the limitations of Petri Net models in transportation systems and suggested future research directions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 552 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Impact of Speed Limit Change on Emissions: A Systematic Review of Literature
by Stephen Kome Fondzenyuy, Blair Matthew Turner, Alina Florentina Burlacu, Chris Jurewicz, Davide Shingo Usami, Steffel Ludivin Tezong Feudjio and Luca Persia
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7712; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177712 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2211
Abstract
In the pursuit of sustainable mobility and the decarbonization of transport systems, public authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the impact of travel speed on emissions within both low-speed and high-speed environments. This study critically examines the evidence concerning emission impacts associated with speed limit [...] Read more.
In the pursuit of sustainable mobility and the decarbonization of transport systems, public authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the impact of travel speed on emissions within both low-speed and high-speed environments. This study critically examines the evidence concerning emission impacts associated with speed limit changes in different traffic environments by conducting a systematic review of the literature in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 25 studies that met the eligibility criteria were assessed. The results reveal mixed evidence for reducing emissions through speed limit reductions in low-speed areas. However, emerging evidence suggests that reduced urban speeds may abate emissions through enhanced traffic flow and a shift in modal preferences away from personal vehicle use. Additionally, in urban areas, minor observed emission reduction per vehicle can add up to large overall reductions due to the high number of vehicles. In high-speed contexts, the evidence is much clearer, showing that reduced speed limits correlate with significant reductions in NOx, CO2, and particulate matter emissions. The extent of these reductions is highly variable and contingent upon the specific speed limits or limit reductions, the local context, the vehicle type, and the baseline types and levels of pollutants. Notably, there is a lack of research on the effects of speed on emissions, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), highlighting a critical area for future investigation. The findings of this study underscore the potential environmental benefits of speed management policies and advocate for the promotion of smoother and less aggressive driving behavior to mitigate emissions and enhance sustainable mobility in both low-speed and high-speed settings. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

2023

Jump to: 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020

14 pages, 1444 KiB  
Article
Influence of Consumption Decisions of Rural Residents in the Context of Rapid Urbanization: Evidence from Sichuan, China
by Xu Lin and Yanbin Qi
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16524; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316524 - 4 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1897
Abstract
Background: Promoting the transformation and upgrading of China’s rural consumer market is of strategic significance for maintaining sustainable economic development in the process of urbanization. Research objects and methods: Our objectives were to explore the influencing factors of rural residents’ consumption decision making [...] Read more.
Background: Promoting the transformation and upgrading of China’s rural consumer market is of strategic significance for maintaining sustainable economic development in the process of urbanization. Research objects and methods: Our objectives were to explore the influencing factors of rural residents’ consumption decision making and to provide reference for formulating relevant policies. This study adopted the questionnaire survey method and collected 300 valid questionnaires. Through statistical analysis of questionnaire data and multiple linear regression analysis, the key factors affecting rural residents’ consumption decision making were determined. Results: Education level, family income, consumption view and sociocultural factors are the main factors affecting the consumption decision of rural residents. In addition, personal cognition and attitude are also important factors affecting rural residents’ consumption decisions. In addition, social influence also has a certain positive impact on consumer decisions. Conclusion: The key factors affecting rural residents’ consumption decision making are external factors, including education level and sociocultural factors, and internal factors, namely family income and family consumption concept. At the same time, personal cognition and attitude also play an important role in consumption decisions. The purpose of this study is to provide objective suggestions for improving and expanding the rural consumption market at the policy level, so as to promote the upgrading of rural consumption in China. The influence of rural residents’ consumption decisions on local economic stability was investigated. The economic stability of farmers’ consumption can be understood by analyzing their consumption tendency and consumption pattern. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

2022

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020

24 pages, 4256 KiB  
Article
How COVID-19 Has Influenced the Purchase Patterns of Young Adults in Developed and Developing Economies: Factor Analysis of Shopping Behavior Roots
by Alexander Rossolov, Yevhen Aloshynskyi and Oleksii Lobashov
Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020941 - 14 Jan 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5888
Abstract
The paper presents survey results from shopping behavior transformation in developed and developing countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in spring 2020. The survey includes the polling process that covered 515 and 117 young adults, respectively, for two economies and factor analysis [...] Read more.
The paper presents survey results from shopping behavior transformation in developed and developing countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in spring 2020. The survey includes the polling process that covered 515 and 117 young adults, respectively, for two economies and factor analysis to determine the latent intentions of purchase behavior. Shopping patterns were studied for food, medicine, goods of first priority, electronics, clothing, and shoes. According to factor analysis results, we determined nine factors that reveal some similarities in shopping behavior as pro-safe purchases and belt-tightening patterns for both economies. Along with that, we revealed that people from developed countries perceived the greater danger and fear due to the COVID-19 crisis than young adults from developing economy. Based on polling results, the post–COVID-19 shopping channel choice behavior was evaluated for developed and developing economies. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

2021

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020

34 pages, 16940 KiB  
Article
Assessing Urban Metabolism through MSW Carbon Footprint and Conceptualizing Municipal-Industrial Symbiosis—The Case of Zaragoza City, Spain
by Antonio Valero, Jorge Torrubia, Miguel Ángel Anía and Alicia Torres
Sustainability 2021, 13(22), 12724; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212724 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3177
Abstract
This paper proposes a holistic vision of the urban metabolism (UM), viewing the city as a subsystem within an industrial ecosystem (IE) in which municipal-industrial symbiosis is essential to achieve sustainability goals. For this purpose, the metabolism of a large Spanish city, Zaragoza, [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a holistic vision of the urban metabolism (UM), viewing the city as a subsystem within an industrial ecosystem (IE) in which municipal-industrial symbiosis is essential to achieve sustainability goals. For this purpose, the metabolism of a large Spanish city, Zaragoza, was studied by analyzing the main fractions of its MSW. A methodology based on carbon footprint (CF) was developed to analyze the environmental impact—in terms of CO2—of the influence of households’ behavior, the City Council’s strategies, and the main MSW fractions. Zaragoza’s IE represents a footprint of 931,250 CO2 tons for the fractions studied, of which 438,000 CO2 tons are due to organic fraction, 180,371 to plastics and 154,607 to paper and cardboard, which are the three most significant contributors. If households selectively separated 100% of their waste, the footprint would drop to 648,660 tons of CO2. Furthermore, monetary savings were quantified through the CO2 emissions price. The proposed methodology accounts for the CF of the whole IE, not just the city. Moreover, it enables the creation of Sankey diagrams to visualize the distribution of emissions of each subsystem, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the city and its recycling industries to reduce its CF. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5727 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Behavior among Romanian Students: A Perspective on Electricity Consumption in Households
by Vasile Gherheș and Marcela Alina Fărcașiu
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9357; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169357 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2907
Abstract
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that the environmental pressure from households will increase significantly by 2030. Sustainable consumption means making consumers aware of the social and environmental impacts of the goods and services they use. In this respect, special [...] Read more.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that the environmental pressure from households will increase significantly by 2030. Sustainable consumption means making consumers aware of the social and environmental impacts of the goods and services they use. In this respect, special attention must be paid to electricity consumption since its generation affects the environment. The present research aims at capturing electricity consumption behaviors among students, after having applied an online questionnaire between March and April 2021, recording 816 responses. The results of this research highlighted the fact that for seven out of fourteen statements, percentages of over 50% for the “always” and “often” answer variants were recorded, but cases when the highest percentages were for the “rarely” and “never” answer variants (e.g., “You read the hours on the light bulb packs before purchasing them”, “You put your mobile phone in the power saving mode so that you don’t have to charge it so often” and “You unplug the electrical and electronic equipment that you do not use”) were also observed. Decrypting consumer behaviors is a key point for building strategies that will lead to consumers’ awareness of conserving electricity in households and, thus, to a reduction in their environmental impact. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1077 KiB  
Article
Sustainability, Efficiency, and Competitiveness in Rail Mobility: The ADIF-Spain Case Study
by José Ramón García-Aranda, Raquel Ortega-Lapiedra and Jara Bernués-Olivan
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8977; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168977 - 11 Aug 2021
Viewed by 1830
Abstract
This work aims to propose alternatives to the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) Model from the perspectives of sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness, with an application to the railway sector in Spain. Concerning improvement factors, a retroactive analysis is based on a second-degree [...] Read more.
This work aims to propose alternatives to the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) Model from the perspectives of sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness, with an application to the railway sector in Spain. Concerning improvement factors, a retroactive analysis is based on a second-degree confirmatory factorial analysis, suggesting a new grouping of factors. With respect to the transformation process, a systemic proposal of seven cross-cutting elements (Integral Framework for Transformation into Outstanding Organizations) is presented, providing a sequence of reflection and action initiatives to successfully address the current environmental sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness challenges in the railway sector through a case study, ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias). The proposal for this Integrated Framework for The Transformation of Organizations is carried out to consolidate the EFQM Model, not only as a management evaluation tool, but also as a quality of management and sustainability instrument, increasing its role as a driving mechanism for actions that generate an effective improvement and transformation in an organization dedicated to mobility. The confirmation of all the hypotheses related to the relationship between Leadership and Strategy, on the one hand explanations., and People, Alliances and Resources, and Processes on the other, along with the four Criteria of Results (People, Clients, Society, and Key Results), allows for the proposal of an EFQM Model that evolves around three major constructs: Guidance, Action, and Feedback. The implications of this work focus on three areas: (1) theoretical, as it is the first analysis of this magnitude to be performed in literature; (2) research, as it opens new hypotheses for contrasting with other organizations in the sector; and (3) management, as it proposes a sustainable organizational and business model. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2199 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Population Density of Cities on Energy Consumption of Their Households
by Pedro J. Zarco-Periñán, Irene M. Zarco-Soto and Fco. Javier Zarco-Soto
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7542; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147542 - 6 Jul 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3348
Abstract
36% of the energy consumed and 40% of emissions are due to buildings in the residential and tertiary sectors. These antecedents have forced governments to focus on saving energy and reducing emissions in this sector. To help government decision-making and facilitate energy planning [...] Read more.
36% of the energy consumed and 40% of emissions are due to buildings in the residential and tertiary sectors. These antecedents have forced governments to focus on saving energy and reducing emissions in this sector. To help government decision-making and facilitate energy planning for utilities, this work analyzes the energy consumption that occurs in city buildings. The information used to carry it out is publicly accessible. The study is carried out from the point of view of the population density of the cities, and these are analyzed individually. Furthermore, the area actually occupied by the city has been considered. The results are studied by inhabitant and household. The proposed method has been applied to the case of Spanish cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. The results show that the higher the population density, the higher the energy consumption. This occurs both per inhabitant and per household. Furthermore, the consumption of electrical energy is inelastic, which is not the case with the consumption of thermal origin. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

2020

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

12 pages, 282 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Commuting: Results from a Social Approach and International Evidence on Carpooling
by José Alberto Molina, J. Ignacio Giménez-Nadal and Jorge Velilla
Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9587; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229587 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 10426
Abstract
Sustainable commuting (SC) usually refers to environmentally friendly travel modes, such as public transport (bus, tram, subway, light rail), walking, cycling, and carpooling. The double aim of the paper is to summarize relevant prior results in commuting from a social approach, and to [...] Read more.
Sustainable commuting (SC) usually refers to environmentally friendly travel modes, such as public transport (bus, tram, subway, light rail), walking, cycling, and carpooling. The double aim of the paper is to summarize relevant prior results in commuting from a social approach, and to provide new, international empirical evidence on carpooling as a specific mode of sustainable commuting. The literature shows that certain socio-demographic characteristics clearly affect the use of non-motorized alternatives, and compared to driving, well-being is greater for those using active travel or public transport. Additionally, this paper analyzes the behavior of carpooling for commuting, using ordinary least squares (OLS) models, which have been estimated from the Multinational Time Use Study (MTUS) for the following countries: Bulgaria, Canada, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Results indicate that carpooling for commuting is not habitual for workers, as less than 25% of the total time from/to work by car is done with others on board. With respect to the role of the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals, our evidence indicates that age, gender, education, being native, and household composition may have a cross-country, consistent relationship with carpooling participation. Given that socializing is the main reason for carpooling, in the current COVID-19 pandemic, carpooling may be decreasing and, consequently, initiatives have been launched to show that carpooling is a necessary way to avoid crowded modes of transport. Thus, the development of high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes by local authorities can increase carpooling, and draw attention to the economic and environmental benefits of carpooling for potential users. Full article
34 pages, 21535 KiB  
Article
Higher Density Environments and the Critical Role of City Streets as Public Open Spaces
by Liang Wen, Jeffrey Kenworthy and Dora Marinova
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8896; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218896 - 27 Oct 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 11104
Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between crowding and streets as public open spaces in high-density urban environments from the perspectives of perceived density and human needs, two antecedents to crowdedness. City streets are the places through which various forms of crowding are perceived [...] Read more.
This paper explores the relationship between crowding and streets as public open spaces in high-density urban environments from the perspectives of perceived density and human needs, two antecedents to crowdedness. City streets are the places through which various forms of crowding are perceived and experienced. Hence, they can play a role in easing this sense of crowding if corresponding strategies are put in place. The paper argues that practices, such as traffic calming and self-building, can transform the streets to serve as public open space, which increases spaciousness and eases crowding. It also puts forward tactical urbanism as a strategy for city governance to create the right conditions encouraging flourishing civil society initiatives in a dense primary environment that is invigorating and at the same time has a level of crowding perceived as both comfortable and liveable. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 2419 KiB  
Article
Migration and Food Consumption: The Impact of Culture and Country of Origin on Obesity as an Indicator of Human Health
by Yuval Arbel, Chaim Fialkoff and Amichai Kerner
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7567; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187567 - 14 Sep 2020
Viewed by 2354
Abstract
Previous research demonstrates that the 1965 American immigration wave has tended to attenuate the obesity pandemic in the United States. Based on a survey carried out by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) in 2012 and 2016, we observe the correlation between [...] Read more.
Previous research demonstrates that the 1965 American immigration wave has tended to attenuate the obesity pandemic in the United States. Based on a survey carried out by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) in 2012 and 2016, we observe the correlation between BMI, age, native language, and years-since-migration to Israel. BMI (=kgm2) is a conventional measure of obesity, where BMI ≥ 25 is considered overweight and BMI ≥ 30 as type I obesity. The results indicate that compared to 11 groups of immigrants, the median BMI among native Israelis is lower. While the prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) among Hebrew speakers is below 50%, in 11 groups of immigrants, the prevalence of overweight is above 50%. A noteworthy exception is the immigrants from Ethiopia, who exhibit lower overweight prevalence compared to native Israelis and all other population groups. Finally, while male Hebrew and Russian speakers cross the overweight benchmark at the same age (35 years), native Israeli women (Hebrew speakers) cross this benchmark only when they reach 50 years (15 years after the males) and Russian women cross this benchmark only five years after the Russian men. These research findings may be of assistance in public health and culture-oriented medicine. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop