Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (13716)

COVID-19 significantly disrupted the progress of the SDGs globally, including in Saudi Arabia. This study explores the progression of SDGs in Saudi Arabia during and after COVID-19, focusing on four dimensions: financial, socioeconomic, health, and environmental. A qualitative approach was employed, involving 19 semi-structured interviews conducted in two rounds (during and post COVID-19). Thematic analysis, conducted using NVivo 14.0, identified four main themes and 16 subthemes, which align with the SDG dimensions. The study revealed significant disruptions across four SDG dimensions during the pandemic. These included economic downturns, increased poverty, strained healthcare systems, and environmental changes. Guided by systems theory as an analytical lens, the study findings indicate that while COVID-19 caused disruptions across SDGs, it also acted as a catalyst for transformational shifts across interconnected SDG domains. The post-pandemic period has shown recovery, including economic growth, enhanced gender equality, improved mental health services, and a renewed focus on sustainability. Six cross-thematic themes emerged: (1) economic recovery and employment, (2) gender equity and education, (3) mental health and healthcare, (4) poverty reduction and food security, (5) environmental sustainability, and (6) digital transformation resilience. Based on these insights, the study provides recommendations for Saudi policymakers to align SDG progress with Saudi Vision 2030 in line with pragmatic sustainability. Full article

This study examines how climate change and vegetation are integrated into teacher education curricula across 26 countries, addressing a critical gap in understanding how future teachers are prepared to respond to the climate and biodiversity crises. To evaluate curricular integration systematically, we developed and validated the Climate and Vegetation Curriculum Integration Index (CCVI), which measures four dimensions: climate change, vegetation, links between the two, and pedagogical strategies. Content analysis of 70 official curriculum documents was conducted, with high inter-rater reliability (κ = 0.72–0.85) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.89) confirming the robustness of the instrument. Results show that integration remains partial and uneven: climate change content is more common than biodiversity, while vegetation is often marginalized, perpetuating the phenomenon of “plant blindness.” Exemplary cases in Finland, Germany, Mexico, Norway, and Switzerland demonstrate that high levels of integration are achievable, but intra-country variability often exceeds cross-country differences, highlighting the influence of institutional design. The study concludes that teacher education worldwide is not yet aligned with the urgency of global sustainability challenges. The CCVI provides a practical tool for benchmarking progress and guiding reforms, underscoring the need to embed sustainability as a core element of teacher preparation to foster ecological literacy, resilience, and civic engagement. Full article

Rhenium is one of the rarest and most strategically important metals, indispensable in high-temperature superalloys and platinum–rhenium catalysts used across the aerospace and petrochemical industries. Owing to its limited primary reserves, recovering rhenium from secondary sources, such as spent catalysts, superalloy residues, and metallurgical dusts, has become vital to ensuring supply security. This review examines technological developments between 1998 and 2025, focusing on how operational parameters, including temperature, leaching time, reagent concentration, and solid-to-liquid ratio, govern dissolution kinetics and overall process efficiency. Comparative evaluation of hydrometallurgical, alkaline, and hybrid processes indicates that modern systems can achieve recovery rates exceeding 98% through selective oxidation, alkaline activation, or combined pyro and hydrometallurgical mechanisms. Acid–chlorine leaching facilitates rapid, low-temperature dissolution; alkaline sintering stabilises rhenium as soluble perrhenates; and hybrid smelting routes enable the concurrent separation of rhenium and osmium. Sustainable aqueous systems employing nitric and ammonium media have also demonstrated near-complete recovery at ambient temperature under closed-loop recycling conditions. Collectively, these findings highlight a technological transition from energy-intensive, acid-based pathways towards low-impact, recyclable, and digitally optimised hydrometallurgical processes. The integration of selective oxidants, phase engineering, circular reagent management, and artificial intelligence-assisted modelling is defining the next generation of rhenium recovery, combining high extraction yields with reduced environmental impact and alignment with global sustainability goals. Full article

Modern data centers are becoming increasingly energy-intensive as AI workloads, hyperscale architectures, and high-power processors push power demand to unprecedented levels. This work examines the sources of rising energy consumption, including evolving IT load dynamics, variability, and the limitations of legacy AC-based power-delivery architectures. These challenges amplify the environmental impact of data centers and highlight their growing influence on global electricity systems. The paper analyzes why conventional grid-tied designs are insufficient for meeting future efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability requirements and surveys emerging solutions centered on DC microgrids, high-voltage DC distribution, and advanced wide-bandgap power electronics. The review further discusses the technical enablers that allow data centers to integrate renewable energy and energy storage more effectively, including simplified conversion chains, coordinated control hierarchies, and demand-aware workload management. Through documented strategies such as on-site renewable deployment, off-site procurement, hybrid energy systems, and flexible demand shaping, the study shows how data centers are increasingly positioned not only as major energy consumers but also as key catalysts for accelerating renewable-energy adoption. Overall, the findings illustrate how the evolving power architectures of large-scale data centers can drive innovation and growth across the renewable energy sector. Full article

Eco-cities have become global initiatives in recent years. This paper aims to discuss the construction, evolution and future of eco-city movements in China, especially in areas with abundant ecological resources. Extant literature emphasizes that sustainable development is the purpose of an eco-city. However, in the spatial practice of ecological modernization, many European and American countries develop ecological construction at a slower pace, resulting in sustainable ecological outcomes. Those countries developed ecological practices at a smaller scale, aiming to achieve green towns with zero carbon emission. In contrast, the construction of China’s eco-cities typically involves building new cities in outer suburbs with a larger scale and faster speed. This has led to the rapid construction of so-called ecological cities without sustainable development. In this context, this paper starts from the perspective of political economy and conducts qualitative research on the Shanghai Dongtan Eco-city as a case study. It analyzes the motivation and practical measures of different actors by examining the planning, design and construction process of Dongtan Eco-city during 1998–2024. The results suggest that gaining national political priority through the intervention of international actors and foreign investment is the key to the local pilot ecological city project. This paper further analyzes the differences between the planning concept and the actual practice of Dongtan Eco-city, critically discussing the “Eco-city as the enclave of ecological technology.” This is driven by the integration of eco-city construction and the local government performance appraisal system. Consequently, the pursuit of economic returns redirected Dongtan’s sustainability experiment into a form of green-branded retirement real-estate development between 1998 and 2012. From 2012 to 2024, Chongming’s development model continued to evolve, as the project was reframed from a real-estate-led eco-city paradigm toward an “ecological island” agenda articulated in the language of sustainable development. Full article

Trajectory planning for intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) must simultaneously address safety, efficiency, and environmental impact to align with sustainable development goals. This paper proposes a novel hierarchical trajectory planning framework, designed for intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) that integrates a semantic corridor with a spatiotemporal potential field. First, a spatiotemporal safety corridor, enhanced with semantic labels (e.g., low-carbon zones and recommended speeds), delineates the feasible driving region. Subsequently, a multi-objective sampling optimization method generates candidate trajectories that balance safety, comfort and energy consumption. The optimal candidate is refined using a spatiotemporal potential field, which dynamically integrates obstacle predictions and sustainability incentives to achieve smooth and eco-friendly navigation. Comprehensive simulations in typical urban scenarios demonstrate that the proposed method reduces energy consumption by up to 8.43% while maintaining safety and a high level of comfort, compared with benchmark methods. Furthermore, the method’s practical efficacy is validated using real-world vehicle data, showing that the planned trajectories closely align with naturalistic driving behavior and demonstrate safe, smooth, and intelligent behaviors in complex lane-changing scenarios. The validation using 113 real-world truck lane-changing cases demonstrates high consistency with naturalistic driving behavior. These results highlight the framework’s potential to advance sustainable intelligent transportation systems by harmonizing safety, comfort, efficiency, and environmental objectives. Full article

Emerging economies confront the dual challenge of accelerating digital transformation while simultaneously mitigating environmental degradation under conditions of institutional and governance heterogeneity. In this context, this study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) capability influences green innovation efficiency (GIE) in emerging Asian economies and investigates whether environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance conditions this relationship. Using an unbalanced panel of 59,112 firm-year observations from 4926 publicly listed firms across 15 emerging Asian economies over the period 2011–2022, we employ a comprehensive panel-data econometric framework that accounts for unobserved heterogeneity, dynamic effects, endogeneity, and potential self-selection bias. The empirical results indicate that AI capability is positively and significantly associated with higher green innovation efficiency. More importantly, ESG performance strengthens this relationship, suggesting that robust governance frameworks enhance firms’ ability to translate digital intelligence into environmentally efficient innovation outcomes. These findings underscore that AI adoption alone is insufficient to generate sustainable value; rather, its environmental effectiveness depends critically on complementary governance structures that promote transparency, accountability, and responsible risk management. The results remain robust after correcting for endogeneity concerns, alternative model specifications, and extensive sensitivity and heterogeneity analyses. Overall, this study contributes to the literature on digital transformation and sustainability by providing large-scale, multi-country evidence that highlights the pivotal role of ESG in shaping the sustainability returns to AI adoption in emerging economies. Full article

This article presents the results of the Innovation Support Program (ISP), designed to enhance the market readiness of 12 bio-based innovators from six European rural regions: Northern Sweden, Mazovia (Poland), Upper Austria, Pays de la Loire (France), Strumica (Macedonia), and Andalusia (Spain). Over three years, the ISP applied a modular and flexible methodology, beginning with a cross-regional needs analysis to identify knowledge gaps, followed by a call for Expressions of Interest to select promising bio-based solutions, and concluding with tailored support delivered through regional Task Forces. These provided mentoring and capacity-building activities focusing on business modeling, market analysis, and funding opportunities. The program identified market access as a major barrier to scaling up and noted that many solutions followed Social and Solidarity Economy principles, prioritizing social and environmental impact over profit. Through targeted assistance and knowledge exchange, the ISP strengthened local innovation capacity and contributed measurable progress in companies’ Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Positioned within the framework of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the ISP demonstrates how combining regional insights with a structured support framework can effectively accelerate the scaling of bio-based solutions, highlighting the need for iterative, long-term support to sustain regional bioeconomy growth. Full article

Fiscal capacity is a core dimension of state capacity. Effective oversight of public expenditure is therefore essential for fiscal sustainability, a foundational element of sustainable development. As local government debt has steadily increased in China, participatory budgeting has emerged as an innovative mechanism for citizens to exercise such oversight and influence fiscal decisions. Our paper examines the effect of participatory budgeting on local government debt in China. Using a panel dataset covering 242 Chinese cities from 2013 to 2022, we examine the effect of participatory budgeting adoption on the scale of explicit government debt. Our results show that adopting participatory budgeting moderately reduces local government debt levels. Further mechanism analysis indicates that participatory budgeting operates through two channels. First, by enhancing budgetary transparency, it strengthens public scrutiny, which in turn disciplines government borrowing. Second, it redirects public spending toward welfare sectors like education and health, thereby crowding out large, debt-financed investment projects. Our findings contribute to the literature on participatory budgeting, fiscal democracy, and bottom-up accountability in public finance. The results suggest that participatory budgeting can be an effective policy tool for improving fiscal discipline and curbing government debt risks, ultimately fostering more sustainable and equitable local governance. Full article

In the 21st century, Urbanization, population growth, and climate change have created significant problems in water resource management. Recent advancements in technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Edge Computing (EC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data Analytics (BDA) are changing the operations of the water resource management systems. In this study, we present a systematic review, highlighting the contributions of these technologies in water management systems. More specifically, we highlight the IoT and EC water monitoring systems that enable real-time sensing of water quality and consumption. In addition, AI methods for anomaly detection and predictive maintenance are reviewed, focusing on water demand forecasting. BDA methods are also discussed, highlighting their ability to integrate data from different data sources, such as sensors and historical data. Additionally, a discussion is provided of how Water management systems could enhance sustainability, resilience, and efficiency by combining big data, IoT, EC, and AI. Lastly, future directions are outlined regarding how state-of-the-art technologies may further support efficient water resources management. Full article

This study examines the relationship between social sustainability and sustainable food consumption through bibliometric analysis and an empirical approach. A bibliometric study of 211 scientific publications was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 framework, alongside concept mapping using the Biblioshiny tool. The results indicate a lack of theoretical coherence, low integration of social parameters such as gender, labor, and migration, as well as a geographical imbalance in the literature, with an overrepresentation of high-income countries. Overall, the study highlights the need for a theoretically grounded framework of social sustainability, based on local socio-cultural contexts, fostering participation and the active engagement of local stakeholders. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of utilizing Artificial Intelligence tools and social innovation for a just transition towards sustainable food systems. The contribution of this research lies in formulating a framework for social sustainability grounded in locality and empirical evidence, enhancing the integration of the social dimension into sustainable food systems. Finally, an interdisciplinary approach is proposed, centered on participation and providing evidence-based directions for policy and educational strategies. Full article

Edible mushrooms are often regarded as a sustainable source of proteins, and several studies have sought to further improve the sustainability of this production. The vertical farming (VF) system could help to reduce the environmental impact during the cultivation of this crop. This study aimed to evaluate whether a VF cultivation system could increase the production and sustainability of Pleurotus species. In this study, P. cornucopiae (PC) and P. ostreatus (PO) were cultivated in a VF system using four-layer iron shelves arranged both individually and in combined configurations in the mushrooms greenhouse; a randomized block design with three replicates for each treatment was used. The impact of shelf layers on the productive traits of these crops was also evaluated, comparing upper layers to the ground layer (Control). In addition, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis was carried out to compare the environmental impact of VF and a conventional cultivation system for PO. The results demonstrated that the shelf layer influenced primordia formation, yield, and morphological characteristics. PC exhibited optimal growth in the upper layers, whereas PO performed better in the lower layers, reflecting their respective temperature preferences. The shelf configuration affected light exposure and primordia induction but did not significantly influence overall yield or morphology. The VF system had a lower overall environmental burden, in particular, considering the climate change impact (−27%) and fossil fuel consumption (−37%) compared to conventional cultivation. Among the phases, substrate production had the highest impact due to the higher substrate needed. In conclusion, VF for Pleurotus production enhanced both the productivity and the sustainability of this crop, but further study regarding the economic analysis of this system is needed to assess the industrial application of this system. Full article

During mining, rock failure and water infiltration induce variations in deformation, energy release, electrical conductivity, and water content. Their response laws underpin water-preserving mining optimization, environmental impact mitigation, and mining area sustainability, while facilitating the prediction of stratum instability and water migration. In this study, uniaxial compression experiments were conducted on sandstone with different water saturations, during which the responses of strain, acoustic emission energy, and electrical resistivity were monitored. The temporal characteristics of the rock’s multi-parameter responses were analyzed, and the influence of water content on precursor information of rock failure was revealed. Multi-parameter response equations for rocks under loading, incorporating the effect of water saturation, were established. A segmented variable-weight-integrated damage constitutive model for water-bearing rocks was developed based on the multi-parameter responses. The findings showed that the temporal characteristics of multi-parameter coupling responses can reflect the damage evolution and pore water migration during the instability and failure process of water-bearing rocks. As water saturation increased from 0% to 100%, the rock exhibited the following variations: peak stress decreased by 38.49%, strain at peak stress increased by 8.79%, elastic modulus decreased by 41.58%, cumulative acoustic emission energy drops by 93.23%, and initial electrical resistivity plummets by 98.02%. Compared with the theoretical stress–strain curves based on strain damage variables, cumulative acoustic emission energy damage variables, and electrical resistivity damage variables, the theoretical stress–strain curve based on the integrated damage variable shows better agreement with the measured curve, with the coefficient of determination exceeding 0.98. The research findings offer valuable insights into rock mass instability and groundwater migration, supporting water-preserving mining and sustainable mining area development. Full article

Recent societal transformations have intensified debates on corporate purpose, yet empirical evidence linking these debates to measurable sustainability outcomes remains fragmented. This study advances the literature by conceptualizing corporate purpose as a country-level sustainability orientation and empirically examining how European Union (EU) member states align with distinct corporate purpose models. Using cluster analysis and artificial neural networks applied to data from the Candriam Sovereign Sustainability Report and the Sustainable Development Report, this study identifies three dominant national-level corporate purpose models—traditional, goal-based, and duty-based. The findings reveal a systematic shift toward a sustainability-oriented corporate purpose model, in which social, human, and natural capital play a more decisive role than economic capital alone. Moreover, countries aligned with the duty-based model exhibit significantly higher Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) index scores, providing novel empirical evidence that national sustainability orientations are closely associated with progress toward the SDGs. By linking corporate purpose models to macro-level sustainability outcomes, this research offers a new quantitative framework for understanding how institutional and policy contexts shape contemporary interpretations of corporate purpose and their relevance for sustainable development. Full article

This study empirically investigates the impact of the digital economy on sustainable development, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green innovation. Using panel data from 420 regional observations in China, we employ an advanced econometric panel including a two-way fixed effects model, mediation analysis, threshold regression, and instrumental variable (2SLS) techniques to address potential endogeneity. The findings confirm a significant positive direct relationship between the digital economy and sustainable development. Mediation analysis reveals that the digital economy fosters green innovation, which in turn drives sustainable development, accounting for about 17.12% of the total causal effect. A key novelty is our identification of a significant threshold effect: specifically, using a threshold model with 2SLS techniques, we find that sustainability benefits from digitalization are nonlinear and much higher in regions with higher institutional quality. Overall, this study advances the literature by moving beyond a simple direct link to reveal both the underlying causal mechanism and the contingent condition critical for nuanced policy insights. Full article

Driven by the dual imperatives of global energy transition and sustainable development goals, lithium-ion batteries, as critical energy storage carriers, have seen the assessment of their lifecycle reliability and durability become a core issue underpinning the sustainable operation of clean energy systems. Grounded in a multidimensional perspective of sustainable development, this study aims to establish a quantifiable and monitorable battery reliability evaluation framework to address the challenges to lifespan and performance sustainability faced by batteries under complex multi-stress coupled operating conditions. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used across various fields, making an accurate assessment of their reliability crucial. In this study, to evaluate the lifespan and reliability of lithium-ion batteries when operating in various coupling stress environments, a multi-stress collaborative accelerated model(MCAM) considering interaction is established. The model takes into account the principal stress effects and the interaction effects. The former is developed based on traditional acceleration models (such as the Arrhenius model), while the latter is constructed through the combination of exponential, power, and logarithmic functions. This study firstly considers the scale parameter of the Weibull distribution as an acceleration effect, and the relationship between characteristic life and stresses is explored through the synergistic action of primary and interaction effects. Subsequently, a multi-stress maximum likelihood estimation method that considers interaction effects is formulated, and the model parameters are estimated using the gradient descent algorithm. Finally, the validity of the proposed model is demonstrated through simulation, and numerical examples on lithium-ion batteries demonstrate that accurate lifetime prediction is enabled by the MCAM, with test duration, cost, and resource consumption significantly reduced. This study not only provides a scientific quantitative tool for advancing the sustainability assessment of battery systems, but also offers methodological support for relevant policy formulation, industry standard optimization, and full lifecycle management, thereby contributing to the synergistic development of energy storage technology across the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. Full article

Climate change governance has become an essential concern for policymakers, with carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions representing one of the most pressing challenges to sustainable economic development. In this context, understanding the main drivers of CO₂ emissions is essential for designing effective public policies that support Romania’s transition toward a low-carbon economy. This study investigates the determinants of CO₂ emissions in Romania’s energy sector between 2008 and 2023 using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method. The analysis considers five key elements: the carbon intensity effect (ΔC), the energy mix effect (ΔM), the energy efficiency effect (ΔL), the economic effect (ΔB), and the population effect (ΔP). The results highlight the need for coherent governance frameworks and targeted policy measures to balance economic expansion with environmental sustainability. The study offers actionable insights for public authorities aiming to strengthen Romania’s climate governance and align national strategies with the objectives of the European Green Deal and climate neutrality by 2050. Full article

The rapid urbanization of recent decades has intensified the need for sustainable and adaptive city models that balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being. This study addresses the challenge of assessing the performance of European smart cities by proposing a composite index of urban sustainability based on citizens’ perceptions. Using data from the Quality of Life in European Cities Survey (2023), the research applies a multi-criteria analytical framework grounded in the Benefit-of-the-Doubt (Data Envelopment Analysis) approach, which allows each city to determine optimal indicator weights and eliminates pre-assigned biases. The analysis integrates six dimensions of smart city performance—mobility, living, environment, economy, governance, and people—to evaluate cities’ adaptability to the needs of their residents. Results reveal that cities such as Aalborg (Denmark), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Cluj-Napoca (Romania), and Zurich (Switzerland) exhibit the highest performance, demonstrating balanced progress across sustainability-oriented domains. The findings suggest that integrating citizens’ evaluations with data-driven weighting provides a more comprehensive and context-sensitive understanding of urban sustainability. The study concludes that the proposed composite index provides a robust methodological framework for benchmarking European smart cities, supporting policymakers in designing targeted strategies for enhancing livability, inclusiveness, and sustainable urban growth. Full article

In the context of sustainable development and the growing emphasis on decent work and productivity, understanding the human factors that shape employee performance has become a central concern for organizations and policymakers. While intelligence has long been linked to work outcomes, existing research remains fragmented and predominantly focused on single dimensions, offering limited insight into how different forms of intelligence interact across employees’ career life cycles. Addressing this gap, the present study advances a multi-dimensional perspective on intelligence and examines its relevance for sustainable employee productivity, thereby contributing to the human resource management literature and to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The study assesses the impact of five types of intelligence (cognitive—IQ, emotional—EQ, physical—PQ, vitality—VQ, and social—SQ) on employee productivity across distinct career life cycle stages. The research was conducted in two phases: (1) measurement of intelligence dimensions and employee productivity using standardized psychometric instruments, including MSCEIT V2.0, the Guilford–O’Sullivan test, the Eysenck test, the Chekhov vitality method, and biological age indicators; (2) statistical analysis of the relationships between intelligence, productivity, and career stages using open-source Python tools. Empirical data were collected from enterprises in the Ukrainian construction industry. The findings demonstrate that the influence of intelligence on productivity varies across career stages. Emotional intelligence emerges as a consistently significant factor throughout the employee life cycle, while other intelligence dimensions exhibit stage-specific effects. These results confirm the dynamic and non-uniform nature of intelligence–productivity relationships. The study provides practical insights for sustainable human resource management by highlighting the need for stage-sensitive development strategies that align intelligence profiles with career phases. Implementing such targeted approaches can enhance employee productivity, organizational effectiveness, and long-term economic sustainability, thereby supporting progress toward SDG 8. Full article

The health and operational continuity of emergency responders are fundamental pillars of sustainable and resilient disaster management systems. These personnel operate in high-risk environments, exposed to intense physical, environmental, and psychological stress. This makes it crucial to monitor their health to safeguard their well-being and performance. Traditional methods, which rely on intermittent, voice-based check-ins, are reactive and create a dangerous information gap regarding a responder’s real-time health and safety. To address this sustainability challenge, the convergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable biosensors presents a transformative opportunity to shift from reactive to proactive safety monitoring, enabling the continuous capture of high-resolution physiological and environmental data. However, realizing a field-deployable system is a complex “system-of-systems” challenge. This review contributes to the field of sustainable emergency management by analyzing the complete technological chain required to build such a solution, structured along the data workflow from acquisition to action. It examines: (1) foundational health sensing technologies for bioelectrical, biophysical, and biochemical signals; (2) powering strategies, including low-power design and self-powering systems via energy harvesting; (3) ad hoc communication networks (terrestrial, aerial, and space-based) essential for infrastructure-denied disaster zones; (4) data processing architectures, comparing edge, fog, and cloud computing for real-time analytics; and (5) visualization tools, such as augmented reality (AR) and heads-up displays (HUDs), for decision support. The review synthesizes these components by discussing their integrated application in scenarios like firefighting and urban search and rescue. It concludes that a robust system depends not on a single component but on the seamless integration of this entire technological chain, and highlights future research directions crucial for quantifying and maximizing its impact on sustainable development goals (SDGs 3, 9, and 11) related to health, sustainable cities, and resilient infrastructure. Full article

The rapid growth of e-commerce demands innovative solutions for resilient and sustainable supply chains. This study explores the role of AI-driven demand forecasting (AIDF) and AI-driven waste reduction (AIDWR) in enhancing supply chain efficiency, minimizing operational waste, and fostering sustainability. Analyzing data from 539 samples via PLS-SEM, the findings highlight how AIDF optimizes demand accuracy, reduces overproduction, and minimizes stockouts, while AIDWR lowers resource consumption and mitigates environmental impacts. Operational Waste Reduction mediates AI’s effectiveness, aligning efficiency with sustainability goals and promoting adaptable, environmentally conscious supply chains. These insights guide e-commerce managers in leveraging AI for resilience and sustainable growth. The study underscores the transformative potential of AI to meet dual objectives of operational excellence and sustainability. Full article

Smart farming integrates digital technologies to optimize agricultural production and promote sustainability. Its impact depends both on technological development and adoption by farmers. Research shows significant progress, but technical and socio-behavioral gaps remain, requiring integrated approaches to strengthen its contribution to the SDGs. In this context, scientific research on smart farming has grown significantly, becoming a key axis for the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution, structure, and impact of scientific production in smart farming, identifying its main trends, authors, journals, and contributions to the SDGs. To this end, a bibliometric analysis was applied to 1580 articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database, using productivity, citation, and impact indicators based on Price’s, Lotka’s, Bradford’s, and Zipf’s laws, as well as the Hirsch index. The results reveal important growth in scientific production between 2014 and 2024, with a strong concentration in high-impact journals and international collaboration networks. In conclusion, smart farming represents an engine of innovation and sustainability, integrating science, technology, and digital management to address the global challenges of food security, climate change, and sustainable development. Full article

Eco-anxiety—emotional distress arising from awareness of environmental collapse—has become a critical dimension of social sustainability, linking mental well-being, professional functioning, institutional trust, and climate governance. This study investigates how higher education professionals (HEPs) experience and interpret eco-anxiety within their professional contexts, situating it as a lens on institutional legitimacy from the perspective of those who produce, teach, and steward climate knowledge. A cross-sectional mixed-methods survey of 556 HEPs was conducted across a month in 2023, combining an adapted climate anxiety scale with open-ended narratives. Quantitative analyses identified perceived governmental inadequacy as the strongest correlate of climate worry (β = 0.48, p < 0.001), accounting for 26% of the variance, whereas institutional inadequacy had a weaker effect. Qualitative findings revealed pervasive emotions of moral injury, solastalgia, and exhaustion when sustainability rhetoric outpaced genuine action, with many respondents describing governmental and institutional “betrayal.” Integrating Cognitive Appraisal Theory with concepts of moral legitimacy, the study conceptualises eco-anxiety as a relational and ethically grounded emotion reflecting the perceived misalignment between knowledge and governance. Addressing it requires transparent climate leadership, participatory governance, and organisational care infrastructures to sustain motivation and trust within universities. Eco-anxiety thus may function not only as a personal pathology but also as a psychosocial response that can illuminate HEPs’ perceptions of institutional misalignment with sustainability commitments, with implications for higher education’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This study examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in Romania during 2003–2023, by distinguishing the effects of FDI stock and FDI flow, with a focus on sustainable development. Because the variables have different integration orders, we used the ARDL model and the bounds test to check the long-run relationship between real GDP per capita and FDI stock, FDI inflows, exports, and labor productivity growth. The refined ARDL model (adjusted for multicollinearity) confirms a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables, with all coefficients statistically significant at the 5% level. Long-run elasticities indicate that economic growth is primarily driven by FDI stock (0.23) and exports (0.24), validating the “export–investment nexus” hypothesis. Also, FDI inflows contribute positively (0.09), while labor productivity remains a critical internal determinant (0.03). Short-run dynamics, captured through the ARDL-ECM specification, reveal that only labor productivity exerts an immediate effect, whereas foreign capital plays a structural stabilizing role. The error correction term (–0.279) suggests an adjustment speed of approximately 27.9% annually, reflecting strong economic resilience across EU ascension (2007), financial crisis (2008–2009), and COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021). Our study contributes to the literature regarding the effects of FDI in Romania, by simultaneously including FDI stock and flow and considering the pandemic period. Also, our study employs dynamic productivity specification and provides transparent model selection procedures within a sustainable framework. The results in this study are of interest for policymakers, emphasizing the need to focus on attracting quality FDI (green and high-tech investments, investor retention, and human capital development) which can facilitate sustainability-oriented strategies that could lead to sustainable economic growth. Full article

The concept of bioregions stands out among the various approaches to sustainable territorial development, as it prioritises the initiative of local communities in addressing sustainability issues. At the same time, the concept of bioregions is diverse in practice, focusing on organic farming, tourism, local culture and also nature protection. Therefore, a balanced approach to the development of bioregions, which considers the specific characteristics of a particular area and the needs of its local community, is important. The present research employed the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach to analyse economic, ecological and social value added as the main criteria, alongside their subordinate subcriteria. As a result, three scenarios were designed: the Broad Integration Scenario, the Conservative Scenario and the Culture and Tourism Scenario. The dominant strategy was found to be the Culture and Tourism scenario, focusing on tourism and local cultural values. This strategy can contribute to increasing the consumption of local products and services while preserving the cultural values and ensuring a balanced approach to sustainable development. At the same time, the Broad Integration Scenario revealed that a broad—and perhaps an aggressive—approach to sustainable development was highly controversial, as it had the greatest dispersion in priority vector values. Bioregionalism, however, is a little-supported approach that does not gain support from either sustainability or rapid growth advocates. The results reveal the importance of a long-term approach to sustainable development and, at the same time, implicitly point to the role of public attitudes, both in terms of supply (through local community initiatives in bioregionalisation) and demand, which could increase the consumption of bioregional products and services. Full article

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Jordan’s judiciary in overseeing electoral appeals within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, it combines doctrinal legal analysis of key constitutional provisions and Election Law No. 4 of 2022 with a comparative examination of electoral adjudication in Tunisia, Egypt, and Lebanon. The study is further strengthened by a structured content analysis of 120 appellate rulings issued between 2015 and 2023 and by qualitative insights drawn from anonymized interviews with judicial personnel engaged in electoral dispute resolution. Although Jordan’s legal framework formally empowers the judiciary to adjudicate electoral disputes, five structural limitations persist: narrow standing rules, rigid evidentiary thresholds, judicial reluctance to exercise investigatory powers, opaque reasoning in judgments, and the absence of specialized electoral courts. These constraints reflect systemic tensions between formal judicial independence and the realities of constrained discretion in hybrid regimes. An empirical analysis of 127 Jordanian electoral appeal cases from 2013 to 2020 reveals that a mere 7% of disputed electoral outcomes were overturned, whereas 73% of allegations were disregarded due to insufficient evidence. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that only 31% of rulings were publicly accessible, in stark contrast to the 89% accessibility rate observed in Tunisia. By identifying and addressing these systemic limitations, the study contributes to ongoing discourse on institutional reform and democratic resilience. In doing so, it underscores the importance of robust electoral justice mechanisms for sustaining public trust, rule of law, and inclusive governance—principles central to political and institutional sustainability as reflected in Sustainable Development Goal 16. Full article

Autonomous-rail Rapid Transit (ART) systems operate on standard roadways while maintaining dedicated right-of-way privileges. Owing to their sustainability, punctual operation, and cost efficiency, ART systems have emerged as a promising solution for medium-capacity urban transit. However, the exclusive lane usage for ART systems frequently leads to inefficient lane utilization, thereby intensifying congestion for non-ART vehicles. This study proposes a moving-block-based lane-sharing strategy for ART with a leading eco-driving approach. First, dynamic lane-access rules are introduced, allowing non-ART vehicles to temporarily use the ART lane without forced clearance or signal coordination. Second, a modified eco-driving trajectory optimization algorithm is constructed on a discrete time–space–state network, allowing the ART trajectory to be obtained through an efficient graph-search procedure while simultaneously guiding following vehicles toward energy-efficient driving patterns. Finally, simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate the impacts of traffic demand, arrival interval, and non-ART vehicles’ compliance rate on system performance. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy significantly reduces delay and energy consumption for non-ART vehicles by 72.6% and 24.6%, respectively, without compromising ART operations efficiency. This work provides both technical insights and theoretical support for the efficient management of ART systems and the sustainable development of urban transportation. Full article

This research offers a comparative examination of how China and Pakistan’s recent port developments are revolutionizing the supply chain and logistics from the perspective of the interrelation of policy, law, and technology. It examines how these developments respond to the imperatives of sustainable development, aiming to reconcile economic development, environmental protection, and social justice. The extent to which policy and regulatory frameworks facilitate or undermine the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain in port operations is also investigated. We provide a conceptual framework to examine the development of smartness in Chinese and Pakistani ports at the nexus of sustainability, emerging technologies, and supply chain logistics. This study engages in qualitative secondary data analysis, drawing on government policies, international reports, and the relevant literature. Against the backdrop of the peculiar development stages of Pakistani and Chinese ports, this study aims to identify the determinative policy and legal drivers that substantially improve both economic performance and environmental outcomes. This study aims to present a replicable model of sustainable port modernization, providing strategic direction to policymakers and port authorities in developing maritime countries. Full article

The rise in energy demand has heightened concerns about the inefficient use of resources, escalating emissions, and unsustainable consumption trends in Bahrain. The use of conventional methods to manage such challenges has proved to be inadequate, demanding innovative approaches to balance environmental sustainability with economic growth. This study aims to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence on sustainable consumption, emission reduction, and resource optimisation in the energy sector in Bahrain. The study used a descriptive quantitative research design using a questionnaire distributed to 230 respondents from the energy sector in Bahrain using a stratified random sampling technique. According to the statistical findings, artificial intelligence has a significant positive effect on sustainable consumption (B = 0.634, t = 14.323, R² = 0.474, p = 0.000), and reduction in emissions (B = 0.450, t = 9.950, R² = 0.303, p = 0.000), as well as the optimisation of resources (B = 0.426, t = 10.316, R² = 0.318, p = 0.000). These results confirm that there are strong positive correlations between AI and the three sustainability outcomes, and AI can account for between 30.3% and 47.4% of the variance of the dependent variables. This study presents new empirical insights regarding the role of artificial intelligence technologies in supporting national sustainability objectives as well as energy transition efforts. Full article

The transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of environmental sustainability are driving humanity to develop alternative technologies for producing a range of bioproducts. In this context, microbial-mediated fermentation processes have gained prominence. Although yeasts are well known for their ability to produce alcohols, they can also generate a wide range of value-added bioproducts. At the same time, microalgae emerge as an advantageous unconventional raw material, as their cultivation does not require arable land, thus avoiding competition with food production. To meet this demand, this study aimed to produce biocomposites through submerged fermentation using biomass from the microalgae Chlorella sp. Enzymatic hydrolysis was optimized using a 2² Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD), with algal biomass and enzyme mass as independent variables. This step was followed by fermentation with the yeast Wickerhamomyces sp. UFFS-CE-3.1.2. The enzyme alpha amylase employed is of commercial origin, commonly used in the brewing industry, characterized by its easy accessibility and lower environmental impact compared to chemical hydrolysis methods. The results demonstrated that the combination of microalgae biomass with the enzyme preparation led to the production of several compounds of interest, such as highly active enzymes, mainly protease (560 U/mL), catalase (3381 U/mL), and peroxidase (277 U/mL), as well as other compounds, such as glycerol (32.5 g/L) and acetic acid (22.8 g/L). These products have wide industrial applications and a strong market demand, reinforcing the potential of the yeast–microalgae synergy for the sustainable production of high-value biocompounds, which represents a matrix of environmentally friendly products. Full article

Amidst the accelerating trend of population aging, addressing regional disparities in basic elderly care services (BECS for short) and identifying the key obstacles to their development have become crucial prerequisites for development. Taking urgent transformation measures is indispensable for enhancing the quality of fundamental senior care provisions and advancing the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs for short) by 2030. However, the extant literature does not have a sufficient understanding of the evolution of differences, spatial correlations, and sources of obstacles. Therefore, this paper takes the period from 2021 to 2023 as the investigation period and comprehensively applies the entropy weight method, Dagum Gini coefficient, kernel density estimation, Moran Index, and obstacle degree model to conduct a systematic analysis of BECS in China. Quantitative results obtained from the research demonstrate that the level of BECS in China follows the pattern of eastern > western > central > northeastern regions. The overall difference slightly increases, and the differences within and between regions vary. The kernel density estimation results are highly consistent with the current landscape of the level of BECS in China, and the spatial correlation and aggregation characteristics are obvious. It was also found that the main obstacles in the quasi-measurement layer (including the indicator layer) were concentrated in the dimension of welfare subsidies. Based on this, a policy combination proposal is put forward in terms of strengthening the construction of a multi-subject supply network, promoting the cross-regional coordinated development of human, financial, and material factors, and enhancing the government’s governance capacity, with the aim of increasing Chinese contributions to improving the level of BECS and achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainability Goals on schedule. Full article

The growing demand for palladium (Pd) necessitates the development of sustainable and efficient recovery methods. This work presents a green, one-step synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from winemaking waste (grape seeds) via direct pyrolysis, eliminating the need for separate, energy-intensive activation. Remarkably, the AC synthesized at the lowest temperature of 400 °C exhibited the highest Pd(II) adsorption capacity (16.20 mg/g at 50 °C), performing comparably to many literature-reported ACs that underwent complex activation processes. Characterization revealed that this optimal material possessed a favorable point of zero charge (PZC 7.78) and the lowest ash content (4.66%). Higher pyrolysis temperatures (400–800 °C) progressively increased surface basicity (PZC up to 11.00) and carboxylic group content (reaching 0.565 mmol/g at 800 °C). A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrated the significant environmental advantage of this method, showing a 74% lower total environmental impact and a 92% reduction in acidification potential compared to commercial coal-based AC. These results prove that highly effective Pd(II) recovery can be achieved through a simplified, direct pyrolysis process, offering a sustainable and practical approach for precious metal recycling from waste biomass. Full article

The sustainable future of dairy farming will depend on how trade-offs between environmental impact, economic viability, and animal welfare are managed. Dairy production contributes significantly not only to human nutrition but also to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ammonia release, and water pollution. Comprehensive sustainability assessments are essential for addressing these impacts, also in light of evolving regulations like the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. However, existing research on sustainable dairy farming and intensification often overlooks trade-offs with other ecological aspects like biodiversity, economic viability, or animal welfare. This study evaluated the sustainability performance of Austrian dairy farms using a tool called NEU.rind, which combines life cycle assessment (LCA) with other indicators. Applied to 170 dairy farms, the tool identified four sustainability clusters across the dimensions of environmental conditions, efficiency, animal health, and sustainability: (1) Alpine farms (high cow longevity, medium-to-high emissions per kg milk), (2) efficient low-input farms (low emissions, high cow longevity), (3) high-output lowland farms (high productivity, lower animal welfare), and (4) input-intensive lowland farms (high emissions, especially per hectare; inefficient use of resources). The analysis revealed fundamental trade-offs between production intensity, environmental impact, and animal welfare, particularly when comparing product-based (per kg milk) versus hectare-based indicators. Key improvement strategies include increasing the use of regional feed and pasture as well as adapting manure management. For policymakers, these findings underline the importance of site-specific sustainability assessments and the need for region-specific incentive schemes that reward both environmental efficiency and animal health performance. In this context, NEU.rind provides farm-specific recommendations with minimal data input, making sustainability assessments practical and feasible. Full article

The cosmetics industry is experiencing dynamic growth, which poses significant environmental challenges, primarily due to the accumulation of cosmetic ingredients in aquatic and soil ecosystems. In response, sustainable solutions aligned with the principles of the circular economy and the concept of “clean beauty” are increasingly sought. One promising approach is the use of bioferments obtained through the fermentation of plant raw materials from the Asteraceae family as alternatives to conventional extracts in cosmetic formulations. This literature review provides up-to-date insights into the biotechnological transformation of Asteraceae plants into cosmetic bioferments, with particular emphasis on fermentation processes enabling enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosylated flavonoids into aglycones, followed by their conversion into low-molecular-weight phenolic acids. These compounds exhibit improved local skin penetration (i.e., higher local bioavailability within the epidermal barrier) compared to their parent glycosides, thereby enhancing antioxidant activity. The analysis includes evidence-based data on the enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosidic flavonoids into free aglycones and their subsequent conversion into low-molecular-weight phenolic acids, which exhibit improved antioxidant potential compared to unfermented extracts. Furthermore, this narrative review highlights the role of lactic acid bacteria and yeast in producing bioferments enriched with bioactive metabolites, including lactic acid (acting as a natural moisturizing factor and preservative), while emphasizing their biodegradability and contribution to minimizing the environmental impact of cosmetics. This review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the technological, dermatological, and environmental aspects of Asteraceae-based bioferments, outlining their potential as sustainable and functional ingredients in modern cosmetics. Full article

The contribution of members of the agri-food system to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is a key element in the global transition to sustainable development. The use of sustainable management systems supports the development of an integrated approach with a spirit of continuous improvement. Such organization is based on risk-management tools that are applied to multiple stakeholders, e.g., those responsible for product quality, occupational health and safety, and environmental impact, thus enabling better global performance. In this review, the term “ethical food systems” is used in our discussion of the concrete methods that can be used to endorse fairness and concern across the food chain. This comprises safeguarding equitable access to nutritious foods, defending animal welfare, assisting ecologically accountable production, and addressing social and labor justice within supply chains. Ethical factors also include transparency, cultural respect, and intergenerational responsibility. Consequently, the objective of this review is to address how these ethical values can be implemented within a One Health framework, predominantly by assimilating plant-based diets, developing governance tools, and resolving nutritional insecurity. Within the One Health framework, decoding ethical principles into practice necessitates a set of concrete interventions: (i) raising awareness of animal rights; (ii) distributing nutritional and environmental knowledge; (iii) endorsing plant-based food research, commercialization, and consumption; (iv) development of social inclusion and positive recognition of vegan/vegetarian identity. At the same time, it should be noted that this perspective represents only one side of the coin, as many populations continue to consume meat and rely on animal proteins for their nutritional value; thus, the role and benefits of meat and other animal-derived foods must also be recognized and discussed. This operational definition provides a foundation for asking how ethical perspectives can be applied. A case study from Africa shows the implementation of a sustainable and healthy future through the One Health approach. Full article

The construction sector undeniably has an impact on sustainability in its three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. In this context, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) has emerged over the last decade as an attractive technology for transforming this sector. It enables the manufacture of construction elements while saving time, reducing waste, and eliminating the need for molds. However, assessments of the environmental performance of implementing this technology are limited, particularly under representative production conditions. This study evaluates the footprint family indicators, carbon footprint (CF), ecological footprint (EF), and water footprint (WF), of different mixtures of 1 m3 of 3D-printed concrete, with 1m of a high printed wall. These mixtures were made with a proportion of fresh solid aggregates; brick and concrete rubble (as demolition waste (CDW) materials) were used as partial replacements for cement. In addition, the environmental impact of using two printing technologies, gantry and robotic arm systems, is analyzed. The results show that materials are the main source of environmental impacts; the replacement of some of the cement reduces CF and EF by up to 20% and 19%, respectively, while preserving printability and buildability, as demonstrated by the stable fabrication of 1 m-high printed wall elements. However, moderate increases in WF were observed, which were associated with the electricity consumption of waste processing. These results confirm the potential for valorizing CDW in 3D printing mixtures. This environmental assessment under full-scale printing conditions supports sustainability-oriented decision-making in the construction industry. Full article

Rural communities in China are currently confronting persistent socio-economic and demographic pressures, making the pursuit of long-term sustainability increasingly essential. Enhancing community resilience is widely recognized as a core pathway toward sustainable rural development, yet the socio-psychological mechanisms through which rural public spaces contribute to this process remain underexplored. This study proposes an environmental perception → psychological identity → community resilience framework to clarify how public spaces support sustainable community development. Using survey data from 283 residents across five villages in Zhejiang Province and employing PLS-SEM for empirical analysis, we find that positive perceptions of public spaces significantly enhance community resilience both directly and indirectly through cultural identity and place attachment. A sequential mediation effect is also observed: environmental perception strengthens cultural identity, which subsequently deepens place attachment, jointly promoting resilience. These findings reveal that rural public spaces function as socio-cultural infrastructures that cultivate emotional bonds and collective identity, thereby generating key components of social sustainability. The study contributes to sustainable rural planning by demonstrating that improving public space quality and reinforcing place-based identity processes are vital strategies for fostering resilient and sustainable communities. Full article

Sustainable urban development is a critical pathway to harmonize economic growth, environmental protection, and public well-being, playing a vital role in addressing air pollution. The Key Cities for Air Pollution Control (KCAP) policy is a representative mandatory environmental regulation aligned with sustainable development principles. It aims to promote economic stability, environmental sustainability, and public welfare, thereby fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. This study treats the KCAP policy as a policy-induced quasi-natural experiment and applies a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to evaluate the ecological welfare performance (EWP) of 207 Chinese cities from 2007 to 2023. The results show that KCAP policy significantly improved EWP by 1.33 percentage points. Spatial spillover analysis reveals heterogeneous impacts: no significant effect within 30 km, a negative effect between 30 and 70 km, and a positive effect at 70–80 km. Mechanism analysis indicates that labor misallocation weakens policy effectiveness, whereas stronger market-oriented regulation enhances it. The policy effects are more pronounced in heavily polluted regions, old industrial bases, and large city centers. These findings provide theoretical and policy insights for advancing equitable ecological welfare in the context of dynamic development. Full article

In the era of digital transformation, transaction-intensive e-business applications—such as high-frequency trading (HFT), e-monetary services and decentralized marketplaces—require infrastructures that are not only fast and secure but also sustainable. Current solutions often prioritize short-term performance over long-term resilience, leading to inefficiencies in energy use and system reliability. This paper introduces a conceptual framework for sustainable transaction processing, leveraging energy-efficient hardware accelerators, real-time communication protocols inspired by industrial automation and lightweight authentication mechanisms. By integrating associative memory-based matching engines and optimized network architectures, the proposed approach ensures predictable latency, robust security and scalability without compromising sustainability. The framework aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by reducing resource consumption, enhancing operational resilience and supporting future-ready digital ecosystems. Full article

This study attempts to analyze the environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of secondary school teachers, as well as the factors influencing these dimensions. It also investigates the extent to which teachers prioritize Environmental Education (Ε.Ε.) within their courses. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative modes of inquiry. Two hundred and seventy questionnaire respondents took part in the research. The responses obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using both statistical and thematic methods. Data triangulation was applied to enhance the validity and reliability of the findings. The analysis revealed that secondary school teachers have an overall good level of environmental knowledge, although they lack some details. Teachers also exhibited positive attitudes and behaviors toward environmental issues. Significant correlations were found between environmental attitudes and behaviors, as well as between environmental knowledge and behaviors. The implementation of E.E. by secondary school teachers was characterized by a strong influence of the curriculum. Teachers reported integrating E.E. primarily through their own pro-environmental practices, particularly in relation to waste management. The main restrictions that prevent secondary school teachers from including E.E. are time constraints and the negative feedback they receive. Regarding the support offered to teachers in relation to E.E., secondary school teachers reported that existing teacher education programs are predominantly theoretical, with insufficient emphasis on practical applications. Based on these findings, this research proposes suggestions for restructuring teacher training programs to incorporate more applied components that better support the integration of E.E. into classroom practice. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate secondary students at the secondary educational stage, and their knowledge and attitudes towards the environment using different variables. Employing a descriptive survey model, data were collected from a sample of 270 secondary school teachers using the ‘Environmental Knowledge Test’ and ‘Environmental Attitude Scale’. The results indicated that teachers’ environmental knowledge and attitudes towards the environment did not significantly differ by gender. Finally, the study concludes with several recommendations derived from these results. Full article

The objective of this study is to assess the extent to which science teachers implement (SERTPs) and to examine whether these practices differ according to selected demographic and professional variables. Using a descriptive–analytical design, data were collected from 225 science teachers enrolled in graduate programs at King Khalid University during the 2025–2026 academic year. The findings reveal a high overall level of SERTPs (M = 2.45; 81.81%). The highest-scoring dimensions were Enhancing Students’ Environmental Awareness (86.59%) and Using Sustainable Resources in Teaching (84.00%), while Encouraging Community Participation showed the lowest application level (77.95%). No significant differences were found across gender, teaching stage, academic qualification, or age; however, a significant difference emerged in favor of teachers with a high level of technology use (p < 0.001). These results underline the vital role of technological integration in strengthening sustainable teaching practices. The study recommends targeted professional development, sustainability-centered curriculum enhancement, and institutional support to align science education with global Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) goals. Full article

This study investigates whether Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) represent the superior alternative to conventional vehicles for last-mile delivery, with a particular focus on large enterprises that prioritize both economic feasibility and environmental performance. Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost methodologies are applied to evaluate both technologies across the full cradle-to-grave life cycle within a unified framework. The functional unit is defined as one kilometer traveled by a BEV or FCEV in last-mile transportation, and the system boundary includes vehicle manufacturing, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life treatment. The environmental impacts are assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method implemented in OpenLCA 2.0.4, and normalization follows the standards provided by the official ReCiPe 2016 framework. The East China Power Grid serves as the baseline electricity mix for the operational stage. Regarding GHG emissions, FCEVs demonstrate a 12.36% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to BEVs. This reduction is particularly significant during the operational phase, where FCEVs can lower CO₂ emissions by 53.51% per vehicle relative to BEVs, largely due to hydrogen energy’s higher efficiency and durability. In terms of economic costs, BEVs hold a slight advantage over FCEVs, costing approximately 0.8 RMB/km/car less. However, during the manufacturing phase, FCEVs present greater environmental challenges. It is recommended that companies fully consider which environmental issues they wish to make a greater contribution to when selecting vehicle types. This study provides insight and implications for large companies with financial viability concerns about environmental impact regarding selecting the two types of vehicles for last-mile transportation. The conclusions offer guidance for companies assessing which vehicle technology better aligns with their long-term operational and sustainability priorities. It can also help relevant practitioners and researchers to develop solutions to last-mile transportation from the perspective of different enterprise sizes. Full article

This study aims to develop a methodology for implementing solar photovoltaic systems (SSFV) in Caribbean hotels. It begins with an analysis of building characteristics to design and size the SSFV, considering panel support structures, system layout, and grid integration. The methodology also evaluates economic and environmental impacts at both company and national levels. Machine learning analysis identified the variables (Degree Days (DG) and Hotel Days Occupied (HDO)) $HDO\times DG$ as key determinants of energy consumption, with a high coefficient of determination ($R^2$ = 0.97). Implementing a target energy-saving line achieved a 5.3% reduction (1028 kWh) relative to the baseline. Using a genetic algorithm to optimize the SSFV azimuth angle increased photovoltaic energy production by 14.75%, enhancing efficiency and installation area use. Economic assessments showed a challenging scenario for hotels, with a negative internal rate of return of −10%, a 17 year payback period, and a net present value of USD 20,000. However, on a national scale, significant annual savings of USD 225,990.8 from reduced fuel imports were projected. Additionally, carbon emissions reductions of 18,751.4 tons ($tC{O}_2$) were estimated. The findings highlight the feasibility and benefits of SSFV implementation, emphasizing its potential to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability in the Caribbean hotel sector. Full article

In the context of the ongoing digitalization of organizations, the question of how organizations facing complex AI can implement adoption decisions in order to maximize the effectiveness of their organizational AI adoption has become a topic of common concern in both academic and industrial circles. Given the significant impact of AI on enterprise productivity and the active embrace of AI by many enterprises, this paper, based on digital enterprises that have initially adopted AI, proposes the organizational AI adoption maturity model for further assessment of the process variable of organizational AI continuous adoption level. This model effectively classifies, conceptualizes and standardizes AI adoption levels, and develops a set of theory and application guidelines, which can integrate existing research into the AI adoption process. The objective of this study is to develop an application guide that will unify the existing research findings, identify the stage of a particular organization, diagnose and assess the level of AI continuous adoption in the organization, and plan for future development. Furthermore, the guide will continue to broaden the application of the conceptual framework to explain the dynamics and relativity of the model, thus laying the foundation for the future development of the organizational AI adoption maturity theory. This journey from “Stupid” to “Smart” reflects the evolving sustainability of AI integration within organizations. By mapping this progression, the study provides a clear pathway for enterprises to enhance their AI adoption strategies systematically. Ultimately, the sustainability map not only guides organizations in diagnosing their current AI maturity but also empowers them to plan strategically for intelligent and sustainable growth. Full article

Over the past two decades, escalating climate crises, geopolitical conflicts, and pandemics have intensified the frequency and severity of disasters, exposing severe vulnerabilities in global food systems. In this pressing context, disaster nutrition emerges as a vital domain of intervention. However, existing academic literature and field practices often address this topic through fragmented, single-axis perspectives. Nutritional physiology, food technology, humanitarian logistics, and policy–ethics frameworks tend to progress in parallel yet disconnected tracks, which results in a lack of holistic models that adequately reflect field realities. The urgency of this issue is underscored by the latest global data. In 2023 alone, disasters resulted in over 86,000 deaths, a significant increase from the preceding two-decade annual average. Furthermore, the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises reveals that 295.3 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2024, marking the sixth consecutive year this number has risen. This escalating crisis highlights the inadequacy of fragmented approaches and necessitates the development of an integrated framework for disaster nutrition. To address this fragmentation, this study redefines disaster nutrition as a multi-layered, integrated food system challenge. Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, it proposes an “Integrated Disaster Food System Model” that brings these different dimensions together within a common framework. The model is built on four main components: (i) nutritional requirements and vulnerable groups (such as infants, older adults, pregnant individuals, and populations with chronic diseases requiring special diets); (ii) product design, technology, and packaging (balancing shelf life, nutritional value, cultural acceptability, and sensory attributes, including innovative components such as microalgae and fermented foods); (iii) logistics, storage, and distribution systems (centralized storage versus localized micro-warehouses, as well as the use of drones and digital traceability technologies); and (iv) policy, regulation, ethics, and sustainability (the applicability of the Sphere Standards, fair distribution, food waste, and environmental impact). By emphasizing the bidirectional and dynamic interactions among these components, the model demonstrates how decisions in one domain affect others (for example, how more durable packaging can increase both logistics costs and carbon footprint). The study highlights the risks and cultural mismatches associated with a “one-size-fits-all high-energy food” approach for vulnerable groups and argues for the necessity of localized, context-specific, and sustainable solutions. In conclusion, the article posits that the future of disaster food systems can only be shaped through a holistic approach in which interdisciplinary collaboration, technological innovation, and ethical–environmental principles are integrated into the core of policy-making. Full article

Artificial Intelligence plays an exponentially growing role in producing data-driven policy insights. In this policy-oriented case study, AI technology is examined as a necessary coordination node through evidence-based and data-enhanced policies, which can efficiently balance the processes of different and possibly competing sectors, such as agriculture and tourism. The focus is on the NUTS 1 region of the Aegean Islands and Crete (EL4) in Greece. The analysis aims to create a viable and resilient ecosystem of environmental, economic and social sustainability through innovation. Applying a “Growth Pole Theory” approach, key public administration frameworks like the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) and TAPIC (Transparency, Accountability, Participation, Integrity, Capacity) governance framework are discussed and analysed to structure the AI deployment and policy considerations for sustainable development. The paper argues in favour of AI’s transformative potential across both the agriculture and tourism sectors. Full article

Agriculture serves as a vital foundation for national development, and its sustainable development holds significant importance for ensuring national food security. This study analyzes the level of agricultural sustainable development and the coupling coordination degree of its subsystems across China’s 31 provincial regions from 2000 to 2022, employing the entropy value method, coupling coordination degree model, and coefficient of variation method. Results show the following: First, the comprehensive index of provincial agricultural sustainable development shows a steady upward trend, though regional variations reveal instability. Second, spatially, sustainable development exhibits a pattern of “high in northeast, low in central and west”, reflecting uneven provincial development. Finally, the coupling coordination degree among agricultural subsystem sustainability capabilities has significantly improved, shifting from a relatively uncoordinated stage to a relatively coordinated stage. Spatially, it generally follows an “high in east, low in west” distribution pattern, revealing variations in provincial agricultural subsystem coordination. Based on these findings, targeted recommendations are proposed to provide theoretical foundations and practical references for China’s sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Under the dual pressures of global climate change and China’s “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” targets, traditional urban development models are insufficient to support sustainable transitions. Smart cities (SCs) have emerged as key platforms for achieving low-carbon urban transformation, yet the systemic causal mechanisms and dynamic transmission pathways of carbon emissions within these cities remain underexplored. This study develops an integrated DEMATEL–ISM–SD modeling framework to systematically identify key drivers, reveal causal structures, and simulate the dynamic evolution of carbon emissions in SCs. Eighteen influencing factors were identified through a comprehensive literature review. DEMATEL analysis evaluated the causal strength and centrality of factors, ISM constructed a five-level hierarchical structure, and a system dynamics model was established for scenario simulation, using Shenzhen as a case study. The results show that green technological innovation capacity exhibits the highest centrality, while energy structure demonstrates the strongest causal influence. SC policy intensity is positioned at the deepest level of the hierarchical structure, serving as a foundational driver that exerts influence on all other factors. Scenario simulations indicate that enhancing green innovation, optimizing industrial and energy structures, and developing smart transportation systems can significantly reduce carbon emissions over time. The research findings reveal the key drivers and transmission pathways of carbon emissions in SCs, providing a reference basis for policy formulation on urban low-carbon transformation and sustainable development. Full article

With the rapid development of the digital economy, digital technologies have become a key driver of rural revitalization. To systematically analyze the enabling mechanisms of digital technology for rural revitalization, this study utilizes panel data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2014–2023. It measures digital technology levels through the number of digital economy-related invention patents granted annually, constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system for rural revitalization, and employs fixed-effects models, mediation models, and spatial Durbin models to explore the direct impact, indirect effects, and spatial effects of digital technology on rural revitalization. The findings reveal that the following: (1) Digital technology significantly empowers the rural revitalization strategy, effectively promoting the comprehensive and sustainable development of the economic, social, and cultural sectors in rural areas. (2) Digital technology exerts partial mediating effects through cultural industry development and higher education advancement, thereby indirectly supporting sustainable rural revitalization. (3) At the spatial level, digital technology exhibits a significant positive spatial spillover effect on rural revitalization overall. Further regional analysis reveals positive spatial spillover effects in the eastern and central regions, whereas the western and northeastern areas exhibit negative spatial spillover. The study concludes that optimizing the spatial layout and promoting coordinated development of digital technologies across areas should be tailored to local conditions. Strengthening cultural industries and educational systems is essential to fully harness the enabling potential of digital technologies for rural revitalization and to construct a rural revitalization path characterized by regional coordination and multidimensional sustainability across the economy, society, and environment. Full article

Global demand for food is expected to grow significantly by 2050, underlying the urgency of a sustainable transition in agriculture. In this context, the Circular Economy (CE) paradigm emerges as a promising strategy. This transition is still ongoing, underscoring the importance of sustainability assessment as the first crucial step in supporting this process effectively. Therefore, comprehensive and robust evaluation tools and methodologies are necessary to support effective decision-making processes in this context. This study addresses this topic by conducting a literature review focused on the main evaluation methodologies adopted to assess the sustainability of circular technologies in agriculture, as well as to identify emerging research trends and to identify current knowledge gaps. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to establish a well-defined framework that starting from existing researches, it will support the development of future research directions. The performed review identifies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as the most applied methodology for environmental impact assessment, due to its ability to analyze environmental impacts and resources consumption throughout the entire life-cycle of a product, followed by Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) and performances-based models for their capacity of integrating and managing many dimensions (environmental, economic, and social) within the evaluation process. Emerging trends highlight the increasing adoption of computational approaches, such as System Dynamics (SD), facilitating a more comprehensive assessment of complex agricultural systems. Despite this increasing attention, the review addresses the significant gap, or rather, the limited management of stakeholders’ conflicts and synergies. This gap will inform potential research directions within the Agritech project, especially regarding the development of Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE) to integrate stakeholders’ perspectives in the sustainability assessment of circular technologies. Full article