Sustainability

22 pages, 3541 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Maize Forage Production: Effect of Organic Amendments Combined with Microbial Biofertilizers Across Different Soil Textures

by Francesco Serrapica, Ida Di Mola, Eugenio Cozzolino, Lucia Ottaiano, Fiorella Sarubbi, Giannicola Pezzullo, Antonio Di Francia, Mauro Mori and Felicia Masucci

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9617; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219617 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to assess whether the fertilizing effects of compost (Com) and vermicompost (VCom) applied to a preceding wheat crop, either alone or in combination with microbial biofertilizers (MBF; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria), could sustain forage maize yield across contrasting [...] Read more.

This study aimed to assess whether the fertilizing effects of compost (Com) and vermicompost (VCom) applied to a preceding wheat crop, either alone or in combination with microbial biofertilizers (MBF; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria), could sustain forage maize yield across contrasting soil textures. A split–split plot trial was conducted in 2023 in sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Treatments included Com, VCom, standard mineral nitrogen fertilization, and unfertilized control, each tested with or without MBF inoculation. Maize was harvested at the milk–dough stage and assessed for biomass yield, dry matter partitioning, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility. Interactions among factors were frequent, particularly with soil texture, but overall, Com and VCom sustained biomass yield and forage quality, especially when combined with MBF. Notably, in loamy soil, VCom coupled with MBF (38.4 t ha⁻¹) outperformed mineral fertilization (32.9 t ha⁻¹). Across soils, loam produced the highest dry matter yield (27.0 t ha⁻¹) and sand the lowest (23.7 t ha⁻¹), while clay showed variable responses depending on the amendment–MBFs combination. All plots treated with the MBFconsistently exhibited higher yields compared to their respective controls, with an average increase of 52.6% across texture and fertilization strategies. Fertilization strategy and soil texture slightly yet significantly affected maize chemical composition, while digestibility remained largely preserved. Crude protein concentration peaked under mineral fertilization in loamy soil (8.3% dry matter). These findings highlight the potential of bio-based fertilizers, especially when integrated with microbial inoculants, to reduce mineral nitrogen dependency and support the sustainable intensification of forage maize. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Quality and Innovation in Agriculture: Dynamics, Indicators, and Sustainability, 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 14554 KB

Open AccessArticle

High-Resolution Flood Risk Assessment in Small Streams Using DSM–DEM Integration and Airborne LiDAR Data

by Seung-Jun Lee, Yong-Sik Han, Ji-Sung Kim and Hong-Sik Yun

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9616; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219616 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Flood risk in small streams is rising under climate change, as small catchments are highly vulnerable to short, intense storms. We develop a high-resolution assessment that integrates a Digital Surface Model (DSM), a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and airborne LiDAR within a MATLAB [...] Read more.

Flood risk in small streams is rising under climate change, as small catchments are highly vulnerable to short, intense storms. We develop a high-resolution assessment that integrates a Digital Surface Model (DSM), a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and airborne LiDAR within a MATLAB (2025b) hydraulic workflow. A hybrid elevation model uses the DEM as baseline and selectively retains DSM-derived structures (levees, bridges, embankments), while filtering vegetation via DSM–DEM differencing with a 1.0 m threshold and a 2-pixel kernel. We simulate 10-, 30-, 50-, 100-, and 200-year return periods and calibrate the 200-year case to the July 2025 Sancheong event (793.5 mm over 105 h; peak 100 mm h⁻¹). The hybrid approach improves predictions over DEM-only runs, capturing localized depth increases of 1.5–2.0 m behind embankments and reducing false positives in vegetated areas by 12–18% relative to raw DSM use. Multi-frequency maps show progressive expansion of inundation; in the 100-year scenario, 68% of the inundated area exceeds 2.0 m depth, while 0–1.0 m zones comprise only 13% of the footprint. Unlike previous DSM–DEM studies, this work introduces a selective integration approach that distinguishes structural and vegetative features to improve the physical realism of small-stream flood modeling. This transferable framework supports climate adaptation, emergency response planning, and sustainable watershed management in small-stream basins. Full article

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15 pages, 2087 KB

Open AccessArticle

XAI-Informed Comparative Safety Performance Assessment of Human-Driven Crashes and Automated Vehicle Failures

by Hyeonseo Kim, Sari Kim and Sehyun Tak

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9615; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219615 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Current Automated Vehicle (AV) technologies still face challenges in operating safely across diverse road environments, as existing infrastructure is not yet fully adapted to AV-specific requirements. While many previous studies have relied on simulations, real-world data is crucial for accurately assessing AV safety [...] Read more.

Current Automated Vehicle (AV) technologies still face challenges in operating safely across diverse road environments, as existing infrastructure is not yet fully adapted to AV-specific requirements. While many previous studies have relied on simulations, real-world data is crucial for accurately assessing AV safety and understanding the impact of road characteristics. To address this gap, this study analyzes human-driven vehicle (HDV) crashes and AV failures using machine learning and explainable AI (XAI), providing insights into how road design can be improved to facilitate AV integration into existing infrastructure. Using XGBoost-based frequency modeling, the study achieved accuracy ranging from 0.6389 to 0.9770, depending on the specific model. The findings indicate that road geometry and traffic characteristics play a significant role in road safety, while the impact of road infrastructure varies across different road classifications. In particular, traffic characteristics were identified as key contributors to HDV crashes, whereas road geometry was the most critical factor in AV failures. By leveraging real-world AV failure data, this study overcomes the limitations of simulation-based research, improving the reliability of safety assessments. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of road safety across different road types and traffic flow conditions while simultaneously analyzing HDV crashes and AV failures. The findings offer critical insights into the challenges of mixed-traffic environments, where AVs and HDVs must coexist, highlighting the need for adaptive road design and infrastructure strategies to enhance safety for all road users. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Infrastructure Management and Sustainable Urban Development)

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27 pages, 3017 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Effects of Relative Land Transport Infrastructure Improvements on Urbanization in China

by Yaojun Qi, Fauzan Mohd Jakarni, Nur Ainina Mustafa and Nur ′Atirah Muhadi

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9614; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219614 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Most studies link transport infrastructure to urbanization using mode-specific stocks or absolute scale, leaving the interactive effects of land transport infrastructure (LTI) and their stage-dependent effects underexplored. To fill this gap, this study examines the interactive effects of relative improvements in LTI on [...] Read more.

Most studies link transport infrastructure to urbanization using mode-specific stocks or absolute scale, leaving the interactive effects of land transport infrastructure (LTI) and their stage-dependent effects underexplored. To fill this gap, this study examines the interactive effects of relative improvements in LTI on the relationship between urbanization and economic development. Using panel data covering 31 Chinese provinces (2000–2022) and the Gompertz function to model urbanization dynamics and the income elasticities. The modeled urbanization growth rate approaches zero near RMB 600,000 per capita, consistent with a saturation level of 12.2; the peak income elasticity is 1.39 at about RMB 90,000. Results by subsample reveal that high-accessibility roads support early urbanization, while rising incomes see conventional rail, high-mobility roads, and high-speed rail sequentially supporting more sustained urban growth. A mid MPA (balanced high-accessibility and high-mobility roads) fosters more advanced and sustained urbanization, whereas high MPA is detrimental to urbanization. Interaction analysis indicates that prioritizing high-accessibility roads and conventional rail best supports urbanization works at low income; conventional rail and high-mobility roads at mid income; and high-mobility roads and high-speed rail at high income; elasticity patterns mirror these stages. The estimates indicate that a configuration of low RPA and high HPM is linked to lower urbanization. These findings highlight the dynamic and stage-dependent impacts of LTI on urbanization, emphasizing that transport infrastructure strategies should be tailored to different stages of economic development to achieve faster and more sustainable urban growth. Full article

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24 pages, 386 KB

Open AccessArticle

AI as Co-Creator: Fostering Social Equity Towards Social Sustainability in Entrepreneurial Development for Women and Minority Entrepreneurs

by Joanne Scillitoe, Deone Zell, Latha Poonamallee and Kene Turner

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9613; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219613 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can act as a co-creation partner to foster social equity leading to social sustainability by addressing persistent barriers faced by women and minority entrepreneurs. We develop a theoretical framework integrating social capital theory and the resource-based [...] Read more.

This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can act as a co-creation partner to foster social equity leading to social sustainability by addressing persistent barriers faced by women and minority entrepreneurs. We develop a theoretical framework integrating social capital theory and the resource-based view to analyze how AI can systematically address resource gaps across structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions while serving as a strategic capability that enables competitive advantage. Modern AI systems including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity represent practical technologies already operational for everyday entrepreneurs through accessible platforms, low-cost subscriptions, and no-code tools enabling workflow automation with minimal technical skill. While prior work has explored how social capital creates competitive advantages, little research explains how AI technologies specifically enhance both social capital development and resource-based competitive advantage simultaneously for ventures of underrepresented entrepreneurs. This study explicitly identifies the entrepreneurial venture as the unit of analysis and articulates five testable propositions on AI’s influence across structural, relational, and cognitive capital, clarifying mechanisms by which AI functions as a technological mediator that democratizes access to both network resources and strategic capabilities for underrepresented founders. Using AI-generated hypotheticals from Los Angeles demonstrating replicable processes with current technologies like retrieval-augmented generation and cloud AI workspaces, we show that AI-enhanced social capital can reduce venture development disparities while generating distinctive advantages for strategically adopting entrepreneurs. The framework requires empirical validation through longitudinal studies and acknowledges dependencies on infrastructure, ecosystem support, and cultural context, ultimately reconceptualizing AI as an active partner, illustrating that equity and competitive excellence are complementary and achievable through deliberate AI-enabled social capital development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Management Strategies and Practices—2nd Edition)

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26 pages, 2876 KB

Open AccessArticle

Blend Prediction Model for Vapor Pressure of Jet Fuel Range Hydrocarbons

by Randall C. Boehm, Robert Parker, Zhibin Yang, Stephen Dooley and Joshua S. Heyne

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9612; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219612 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

The ability to predict the vapor pressure and vapor-phase composition of hydrocarbon mixtures (such as jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel or its un-refined precursors) and partially vaporized hydrocarbon mixtures is important to simulations of processes that involve vaporization such as distillations, flash points, [...] Read more.

The ability to predict the vapor pressure and vapor-phase composition of hydrocarbon mixtures (such as jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel or its un-refined precursors) and partially vaporized hydrocarbon mixtures is important to simulations of processes that involve vaporization such as distillations, flash points, combustion properties of partially vaporized fuels, etc. Raoult’s Law provides a simple algebraic formula relating liquid composition and temperature to vapor composition and pressure. However, Raoult’s Law is not accurate at low mole fractions, which is typical for complex mixtures such as fuels. A common approach to correcting Raoult’s Law is to apply a scale factor, a so-called activity coefficient. Numerous models exist for predicting activity coefficients. Here we benchmark against the UNIFAC model, which predicts activity coefficients based on mole fractions, group fractions, Van der Waals volume and surface area and temperature-dependent interaction terms between groups. While this approach is truly predictive, its accuracy at very low mole fractions has not been validated, and it is computationally intensive, particularly for simulations (especially optimizations) that require vapor composition or pressure within the inner-most loop. Here we present an alternative correction to Raoult’s law, where the vapor pressure of the i^th component is represented by a modified form of the Clausius–Clapeyron equation. The reference temperature (

T_{r e f}

) is replaced by a simple algebraic function that converges to

T_{r e f}

as

x_{i}

approaches 1 while smoothly increasing from this value as

x_{i}

decreases. Simultaneously, the heat of vaporization (

Δ H_{v a p, i} (T)

) term is replaced by another simple algebraic expression that converges to

Δ H_{v a p, i} (T)

as

x_{i}

approaches 1 while smoothly decreasing as

x_{i}

decreases. In this model, the temperature-dependent heat of vaporization is tuned at each temperature such that the Clausius–Clapeyron equation reproduces the correct vapor pressure of the neat material, while the parameterized algebraic corrections are tuned to vapor pressure data of mixtures involving n-pentane, toluene, and dodecane, where the mole fractions of n-pentane and toluene are maintained below 10%_mol. Validation of the resulting model is accomplished by comparing modeled vapor–liquid equilibrium systems with experimental measurements. This approach improves the accuracy and computational efficiency of volatility predictions, thereby supporting the development, certification, and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

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Graphical abstract

38 pages, 4243 KB

Open AccessReview

Advancements and Challenges in Coatings for Wind Turbine Blade Raindrop Erosion: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Materials and Testing

by Nur Ain Wahidah A. Yusof, Talal F. Algaddaime and Margaret M. Stack

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9611; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219611 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Raindrop erosion of wind turbine blades’ leading edge is a critical degradation mechanism limiting wind turbine blade lifetime and aerodynamic efficiency. Protective coatings have been extensively studied to mitigate this damage. This review critically synthesises current knowledge on coating-based protection strategies against erosion, [...] Read more.

Raindrop erosion of wind turbine blades’ leading edge is a critical degradation mechanism limiting wind turbine blade lifetime and aerodynamic efficiency. Protective coatings have been extensively studied to mitigate this damage. This review critically synthesises current knowledge on coating-based protection strategies against erosion, with emphasis on (i) the underlying mechanisms of erosion, (ii) advances in conventional and emerging coating technologies, and (iii) experimental approaches for testing and lifetime prediction. Across reported studies, nanofiller reinforcement (e.g., CNTs, graphene, CeO₂, Al₂O₃) enhances erosion resistance by 60–99%, primarily through improved toughness and stress-wave dissipation. Hybrid and multifunctional systems further combine mechanical durability with self-healing or anti-icing capabilities. Experimental results confirm that erosion rate follows a power-law dependence on impact velocity, with maximum damage occurring between 45° and 60° impact angles. Softer elastomeric coatings demonstrate longer incubation periods and superior viscoelastic recovery compared with rigid sol–gel systems. Persistent gaps include the lack of standardised testing, poor field–lab correlation, and limited long-term durability data. Future work should focus on coordinating multi-stressor testing with variable-frequency rain setups to replicate real field conditions and enable reliable lifetime prediction of next-generation erosion-resistant coatings. Full article

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29 pages, 3184 KB

Open AccessArticle

Acceptance of Automated Cars and Shared Mobility Services: Towards a Holistic Analysis for Sustainable Mobility Systems

by Thu Trang Nguyen, Florian Ratz and Mario Hirz

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9610; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219610 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Understanding public acceptance is pivotal for integrating automated cars (AC) and shared mobility services (SMS) into mobility systems. This paper presents a holistic framework and demonstrates its application based on a dataset (N = 419; EU-focused sub-sample N = 289) originating from an [...] Read more.

Understanding public acceptance is pivotal for integrating automated cars (AC) and shared mobility services (SMS) into mobility systems. This paper presents a holistic framework and demonstrates its application based on a dataset (N = 419; EU-focused sub-sample N = 289) originating from an online survey, capturing metrics like socio-demographics, mobility habits, and perceptions. Acceptance was measured as willingness to use (WTU), and links to willingness to pay (WTP) were examined. A two-stage approach was conducted: non-parametric screening (Chi-square, Spearman’s rank correlation) and proportional-odds ordinal logistic models. Results show that 25.6% would likely use AC and 21.1% would use SMS. WTP for SMS is positively associated with WTU (p < 0.001), whereas WTP and WTU are not statistically related for AC. Perceived usefulness and ease of use are positively related to WTU for both AC and SMS (all p < 0.01). The acceptance of SMS correlates positively with the acceptance of AC (p < 0.001), and the preference for combining SMS with public transport (PT) is associated with higher acceptance. The ordinal logistic models confirm these patterns after adjustment, with perceptions/experience and (for SMS) pricing and PT-related variables remaining significant, while several socio-demographic effects attenuate. The cross-country results indicate modest acceptance in Austria and the UK, aligning with recent European evidence. Full article

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28 pages, 2113 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of New-Quality Productivity in the Sustainable Development of the Economic–Social–Environmental System: Evidence from 67 Ethnic Counties in Sichuan Province

by Siyao Du and Jie Yang

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9609; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219609 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Fostering and steering New-Quality Productivity (NQP) to underwrite the sustainable development of the Economic–Social–Environmental System (ESES) in ethnic-minority regions is both an intrinsic requirement and a strategic fulcrum for advancing modernization at the sub-national level. Despite growing policy attention, county-level evidence on how [...] Read more.

Fostering and steering New-Quality Productivity (NQP) to underwrite the sustainable development of the Economic–Social–Environmental System (ESES) in ethnic-minority regions is both an intrinsic requirement and a strategic fulcrum for advancing modernization at the sub-national level. Despite growing policy attention, county-level evidence on how NQP translates into sustainability outcomes—and through which mechanisms—remains insufficient. Embedding NQP within a region-specific sustainability framework, this study first articulates the theoretical channels through which NQP can transform and sustain ethnic areas. It then exploits panel data covering 67 ethnic counties in Sichuan Province from 2005 to 2024 and applies benchmark regressions, multiple-mediator models, and spatial Durbin specifications to identify the mechanisms and impact footprints of NQP. Three core findings emerge: (1) NQP exerts a robust, positive effect on ESE sustainability that varies across geography, development stages, and sectoral structures. (2) Technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and optimized resource allocation all transmit NQP’s influence, with industrial upgrading displaying the strongest mediating power. (3) NQP generates positive spatial spillovers that extend its sustainability dividends to neighboring ethnic counties. These results sharpen the academic understanding of the NQP–sustainability nexus in ethnic contexts, expand NQP assessment frameworks, and furnish county-level policymakers with evidence to design differentiated strategies that align NQP cultivation with broader goals of regionally inclusive and sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)

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24 pages, 9090 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Dry Deposition Effect of PM_2.5 in Urban Green Spaces of Beijing, China

by Hongjuan Lei, Shaoning Li, Yingrui Duan, Xiaotian Xu, Na Zhao, Shaowei Lu and Bin Li

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9608; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219608 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

As an important part of the urban ecological environment, urban green space plays a crucial and irreplaceable role in improving air quality, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. This study takes Beijing’s urban green space as the research object. Based [...] Read more.

As an important part of the urban ecological environment, urban green space plays a crucial and irreplaceable role in improving air quality, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. This study takes Beijing’s urban green space as the research object. Based on Landsat series satellite remote sensing images, the land use distribution of Beijing is obtained through supervised classification. Combined with data such as PM_2.5 concentration and wind speed, the dry deposition efficiency of PM_2.5 is quantitatively analyzed. The results show that: (1) Beijing’s urban green space has significant advantages in PM_2.5 dry deposition. In terms of dry deposition flux, the order of annual average deposition of different land types is: forest land > farm land > grassland > impervious surface > water body = unutilized land. Among them, forest land has the best dry deposition effect, with an annual average dry deposition of 1.13 g/m², which is 188.41 times that of impervious surface; cultivated land and grassland are 0.22 g/m² and 0.19 g/m² respectively, which are 37.13 times and 32.34 times that of impervious surface. (2) From 2000 to 2020, the PM_2.5 removal rate of green space continued to rise, but the reduction amount showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. There are significant seasonal differences. The reduction amount is the highest in autumn (reaching 449.90 tons in October), followed by summer, spring, and winter (the lowest in August, at 190.27 tons). (3) In terms of spatial distribution, the high-value areas of dry deposition are concentrated in the suburbs, showing a “southwest-northeast” axial distribution, while the low-value areas are mainly located in the outer suburbs, reflecting the imbalance of green space layout and the regional differences in PM_2.5 reduction. Combined with the current situation of green space in Beijing, the study puts forward targeted optimization suggestions, providing theoretical support and scientific basis for the construction of Beijing as a “garden city”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality Characterisation and Modelling—2nd Edition)

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27 pages, 309 KB

Open AccessArticle

How ESG Rating Divergence Undermines Financial Flexibility and Sustainable Resilience

by Peng Zhu and Jiaqi Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9607; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219607 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Owing to the lack of a unified ESG (environmental, social and governance) rating standard, notable inconsistencies have appeared in ESG ratings assigned to the same firm by various rating agencies. Based on data encompassing Chinese A-share listed companies from 2015 to 2023, this [...] Read more.

Owing to the lack of a unified ESG (environmental, social and governance) rating standard, notable inconsistencies have appeared in ESG ratings assigned to the same firm by various rating agencies. Based on data encompassing Chinese A-share listed companies from 2015 to 2023, this paper investigates the effects of ESG rating divergence on corporate financial flexibility. We find that ESG rating divergence reduces corporate financial flexibility, and the finding remains reliable following various robustness tests. Mechanism tests show that ESG rating divergence diminishes corporate financial flexibility by raising operating leverage and the cost of equity capital, and exacerbating the degree of maturity mismatch between investing and financing. Further, we find that the negative impact of ESG rating divergence on financial flexibility is more pronounced in heavily polluting firms, enterprises with stronger market competitive positions, those facing lower financing constraints and companies with higher analyst earning forecast accuracies. We subsequently explore the economic effects of financial flexibility in reaction to ESG rating divergence. The findings indicate that ESG rating divergence negatively affects corporate sustainable resilience by first reducing financial flexibility. Overall, this study reveals the specific effects and pathways via which ESG rating divergence affects the financial flexibility of firms, holding significant implications for actively promoting the establishment of ESG systems and achieving sustainable corporate growth. Full article

20 pages, 2549 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sediment Scouring and Silting Threshold in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Before and After the Three Gorges Project

by Minghui Shen, Chunhong Hu, Shuai Guo, Hongling Shi and Yuchen Li

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9606; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219606 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Understanding sediment transport under varying flow regimes and its associated scouring–silting responses is fundamental for analyzing the coupled dynamics of hydrology and river morphology. However, in large alluvial rivers strongly modified by human interventions such as dam operations, identifying critical thresholds of scouring–silting [...] Read more.

Understanding sediment transport under varying flow regimes and its associated scouring–silting responses is fundamental for analyzing the coupled dynamics of hydrology and river morphology. However, in large alluvial rivers strongly modified by human interventions such as dam operations, identifying critical thresholds of scouring–silting transitions remains a major challenge. This study examines sediment transport dynamics and flow frequency patterns through statistical analysis and the coefficient of determination method, using daily discharge and suspended sediment concentration records from eight hydrological stations along the middle and lower Yangtze River, China, covering 1990–2023. The results demonstrate that the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir substantially altered downstream hydrological and sediment regimes, leading to a more uniform flow frequency distribution, suppression of extreme flows, and increased prevalence of moderate discharges. These adjustments stabilized river flows and improved sediment transport efficiency. Distinct spatial variations were identified across seven river sections: upstream reaches shifted from bimodal scouring–silting patterns to scouring-dominated regimes, whereas downstream reaches exhibited weakened sediment deposition. Moreover, critical thresholds of both flow and sediment coefficients displayed systematic longitudinal shifts. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into water–sediment interactions under large-scale regulation and offer practical implications for sediment management in highly engineered river systems. Full article

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15 pages, 930 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perception of Agroecological Practices Among Smallholder Farmers: Opportunities, Influencing Factors, and Barriers in Senegal

by Saboury Ndiaye, Landing Diedhiou, Mamadou Ndiaye, Jean-Pierre Sarthou, Philomene Agueno Sambou, Mame Dior Pouye, Dibor Diouf, Mamadou Ndao and Thierno Abdoucadry Diallo

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9605; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219605 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Market gardening plays a central role in food security and improving household income in Ziguinchor, Senegal. Faced with growing environmental and socio-economic challenges, agroecology emerges as a sustainable pathway for strengthening this agro-economic activity. This study evaluates the adoption of agroecological practices by [...] Read more.

Market gardening plays a central role in food security and improving household income in Ziguinchor, Senegal. Faced with growing environmental and socio-economic challenges, agroecology emerges as a sustainable pathway for strengthening this agro-economic activity. This study evaluates the adoption of agroecological practices by urban and peri-urban market gardeners, identifying influencing factors and constraints. A survey of 300 farmers was conducted in Ziguinchor, and data were analyzed using Excel. Relative Importance Index (RII), Weighted Average Index (WAI), and Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) ranked the most used practices, influencing factors, and adoption barriers. Results show that 79.67% of respondents were women, mostly over 45, with secondary education. Most of market gardeners consider this activity main source of income, and have been doing so for more than 10 years. Common agroecological practices include: removing weeds and diseased plants, organic fertilization, watering, crop rotation, and recommended fertilizer application, with relative importance indices of 0.75, 0.75, 0.72, 0.73, and 0.62, respectively. Key constraints include the lack of labor (PCI = 789), lack of information and training (PCI = 597), high cost of improved seeds (PCI = 549), and limited access to organic fertilizer (PCI = 538). Reinforcing extension services, capacity building, and both technical and financial support is essential to promote agroecological practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Re)Designing Processes for Improving Supply Chain Sustainability)

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24 pages, 2308 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Key Drivers of Green Logistics: A Systematic Literature Review and Conceptual Framework

by Parvaneh Rastegardehbidi and Zhan Su

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9604; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219604 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

The logistics sector contributes significantly to global warming, primarily through Scope 3 emissions. Green logistics practices (GLPs) can mitigate emissions and improve sustainability performance; however, their adoption remains limited due to high upfront costs and organizational barriers. This study aims to identify the [...] Read more.

The logistics sector contributes significantly to global warming, primarily through Scope 3 emissions. Green logistics practices (GLPs) can mitigate emissions and improve sustainability performance; however, their adoption remains limited due to high upfront costs and organizational barriers. This study aims to identify the driving factors of green logistics (GL) by conducting a systematic literature review following the PRISMA protocol. A total of 95 peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2024 are analyzed. The review combines bibliometric and content analysis and develops a conceptual framework to guide future research. Findings reveal two main categories of drivers: (i) internal drivers, most notably top management commitment, which influences strategic direction, resource allocation, and organizational change; and (ii) external drivers, particularly institutional pressures. The study also identifies methodological patterns and theoretical gaps and proposes a theory–methodology–context agenda for future research. Practically, it shows how organizational readiness and supportive public policies can help overcome barriers, facilitate adoption, and promote more sustainable logistics systems. Full article

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24 pages, 605 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of an Enterprise’s Technological Innovation Capability on Its Energy Intensity: A Comparative Analysis of Manufacturing Enterprises in China and India

by Min Ji, Ting Liu and Sanfeng Zhang

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9603; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219603 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

Reducing energy intensity is a critical measure for promoting sustainable industrial development and achieving high-quality economic growth. Based on enterprise survey data provided by the World Bank from 2011 to 2013, this paper empirically examines the impact and underlying mechanisms of technological innovation [...] Read more.

Reducing energy intensity is a critical measure for promoting sustainable industrial development and achieving high-quality economic growth. Based on enterprise survey data provided by the World Bank from 2011 to 2013, this paper empirically examines the impact and underlying mechanisms of technological innovation capability on the energy intensity of manufacturing enterprises in China and India. The study finds that an improvement in an enterprise’s technological innovation capability can significantly reduce its energy intensity. Specifically, when an enterprise’s technological innovation capability increases from the 25th to the 75th percentile of its distribution, its energy intensity decreases by an average of 11.22%. This conclusion remains robust after a series of robustness checks. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the energy-saving effect of technological innovation is significant only in the Chinese sample, but not in the Indian sample. Furthermore, this effect is more pronounced in larger, more capital-intensive enterprises. Further mechanism analysis indicates that improvements in production efficiency and enhancements in operational flexibility are effective mediating channels through which technological innovation reduces energy intensity. This study provides micro-level evidence for the theoretical proposition of a green transition driven by technological innovation in the context of emerging markets. It also offers policy implications for China and India to formulate differentiated energy conservation and emission reduction policies and to promote the green upgrading of their manufacturing sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Low Carbon Sustainability in the Digital Age)

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18 pages, 431 KB

Open AccessArticle

Emotional Intelligence and Employees’ Commitment: Analyzing the Role of Brand Image and Corporate Social Responsibility Among Lebanese SMEs

by Suha Ali Tahhan

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9602; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219602 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

The importance of emotional intelligence cannot be neglected when it comes to employees’ behavioral outcomes in the workplace. When organizations deploy Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that improve their image, they can foster an atmosphere where employees develop loyalty and commitment towards their roles [...] Read more.

The importance of emotional intelligence cannot be neglected when it comes to employees’ behavioral outcomes in the workplace. When organizations deploy Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that improve their image, they can foster an atmosphere where employees develop loyalty and commitment towards their roles and organizations. This can be more vivid for the case of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) where modern and sustainable strategies are embedded in the strategy to improve the social, economic, and environmental domains of the society they serve to. The current research examines how emotionally intelligent employees can leverage brand image and Corporate Social Responsibility as dynamics that improve their commitment to their roles and their organizations. This leads to better service provision, ultimately improving the company’s reputation, performance, and competitive longevity. Using Smart PLS software and Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), a total of 184 SME employees were surveyed across forty-two firms operating in Lebanon. The findings suggest that SMEs can establish mechanisms which, under the lens of emotional intelligence, attachment, and sustainability-oriented theories, yield positive work outcomes among employees while facilitating a sustainable competitive edge and improved image both internally and externally. Full article

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2 pages, 133 KB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Khan et al. Smart Android Based Home Automation System Using Internet of Things (IoT). Sustainability 2022, 14, 10717

by Muhammad Abbas Khan, Ijaz Ahmad, Anis Nurashikin Nordin, A. El-Sayed Ahmed, Hiren Mewada, Yousef Ibrahim Daradkeh, Saim Rasheed, Elsayed Tag Eldin and Muhammad Shafiq

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9601; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219601 (registering DOI) - 29 Oct 2025

Abstract

The authors would like to make the following correction to the published paper [...] Full article

24 pages, 607 KB

Open AccessArticle

How AI-Driven Personalization Shapes Green Purchasing Behavior Among Youth in Java Island

by Feliks Prasepta Sejahtera Surbakti, Hotma Antoni Hutahaean, Maria Magdalena Wahyuni Inderawati, Jovan Moreno Madjid, Leonard Edward Sely and Yann-May Yee

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9600; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219600 (registering DOI) - 28 Oct 2025

Abstract

Sustainable consumption has become a global priority, yet the factors that encourage people to adopt environmentally friendly purchasing behavior differ across cultures and technologies. This study explores how environmental knowledge, environmental attitude, and the perception of AI-driven personalization influence green purchasing intention and [...] Read more.

Sustainable consumption has become a global priority, yet the factors that encourage people to adopt environmentally friendly purchasing behavior differ across cultures and technologies. This study explores how environmental knowledge, environmental attitude, and the perception of AI-driven personalization influence green purchasing intention and actual purchasing behavior among young consumers in Java, Indonesia. A survey of 517 university students was conducted, and the relationships among these factors were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that environmental knowledge strongly shapes environmental attitudes, which in turn enhance the intention and behavior to purchase green products. Perception of AI-driven personalization also strengthens green purchasing intention, although its direct effect on behavior is limited. These results suggest that digital platforms and marketers can promote sustainable consumption by combining environmental education with transparent and value-based AI personalization. The study contributes to understanding how psychological readiness and technological engagement together encourage greener consumption among youth in emerging economies. Full article

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

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18 pages, 1551 KB

Open AccessReview

Local Municipality Roles in Renewable Energy Communities: A Portuguese Case Involving Cross-Border Synergies

by António Curado and Pedro de Almeida

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9599; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219599 (registering DOI) - 28 Oct 2025

Abstract

As the EU is funding collective self-consumption, European research focuses on legal, technical, economic and social aspects of energy communities. In this study we draw insight from the Portuguese scholars and recent developments to promote a better understanding about the rollout guidelines for [...] Read more.

As the EU is funding collective self-consumption, European research focuses on legal, technical, economic and social aspects of energy communities. In this study we draw insight from the Portuguese scholars and recent developments to promote a better understanding about the rollout guidelines for energy communities in the North of Portugal and neighbor Galician province of Ourense in Spain. The project COMENERG for the energy transition has been playing active roles in Galicia and Portugal, with the Portuguese municipality of Ponte da Barca in participation by co-steering. A pilot project portfolio collected for benchmarking, as well as engagement data and cost/revenue streams common to eight business models, are gathered to serve as policy support for the energy transition office established in the Galician city of Ourense. The roles and barriers to overcome before and after this project finalizes are analyzed, and it appears critical to develop the demonstration pilot landmark, as well to preview the contingencies ahead for successful implementation of the renewable energy communities in this Euroregion. Full article

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