Search Results (1,218)

This study compares environmental goal-setting and monitoring priorities of EMAS-registered and non-EMAS organizations in the European Union. Using a dataset of 847 organizations and exploratory factor analysis, it examines differences in the structure of environmental objectives and indicators. The results show that EMAS-registered organizations prioritize operational performance and continuous improvement, while non-EMAS organizations focus more on regulatory compliance, awareness-building, and external communication. EMAS participation is associated with a more integrated and strategic approach to environmental management, linking objectives with measurable performance indicators. In contrast, non-EMAS organizations often adopt more symbolic or externally oriented practices driven by legal and reputational concerns. To isolate the effects of formal verification and transparency, ISO 14001 certification is not treated separately; instead, EMAS organizations are compared with all non-EMAS entities. The findings provide new empirical evidence on how voluntary environmental schemes shape organizational behavior by improving alignment between goals and indicators. They also offer practical guidance for organizations preparing for the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), highlighting EMAS as a model for credible, performance-based environmental reporting. Full article

Sustainable food consumption is a key domain of sustainability education, yet lower secondary students’ dietary choices are shaped by evaluations, perceived feasibility, social expectations, family routines, and human–nature relationships. This study examined sustainable dietary intentions among 197 Austrian students aged 12 to 15 using an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour framework, including attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, nature relatedness, and environmental concern. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and path analysis were used. Students reported moderately high sustainable dietary intentions, favourable attitudes, and relatively high perceived behavioural control, whereas subjective norm was weaker and centred mainly on family expectations. Nature-relatedness showed coherent positive associations with intention, attitude, and perceived behavioural control. Environmental concern was positively associated with the TPB components but showed a more selective pattern. The extended path model explained 41.3% of the variance in intention to eat sustainably. Perceived behavioural control and attitude were the strongest correlates of intention. Nature relatedness was associated with the TPB components and retained a small direct association with intention, whereas environmental concern was not directly associated with intention. The findings suggest that perceived feasibility and nature relatedness are relevant correlates of sustainable dietary intentions in lower secondary education. Full article

Since 2010, consumer-led organizations have emerged in Turkey’s major cities as alternatives to conventional food systems, aiming to connect ecological producers with consumers through disintermediated, fair-trade channels. While initially prominent in Izmir, Istanbul, and Ankara, food communities in Istanbul are currently experiencing weakened continuity and structural transformation. Grounded in Social Practice Theory (SPT), this study examines the factors influencing the embeddedness of these communities, using Istanbul as a context to observe dissolution and restructuring dynamics. By analyzing the relationship between Alternative Food Network (AFN) practices and everyday practice bundles, the article argues that practices lose sustainability when links between meanings, materials, and competences weaken, often due to increased organizational burdens or shifting participant capacities. However, dissolution does not signal a total withdrawal. Instead, actors frequently transition into new alternative formations or adapt practices to align with daily routines. This study contributes to AFN literature by analyzing sustainability through the lens of dissolution and transformation rather than mere success stories, demonstrating that AFNs are contextual, trial and error processes rather than “one-size-fits-all” models. Full article

This study addresses the critical challenge of food waste in the hospitality sector, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3. We conducted an intervention at a community-based culinary innovation center involving 18 participants. The research integrated the Collaborative System Model (CSM)—a framework that facilitates multi-stakeholder co-creation through knowledge interaction and feedback loops—into a Participatory Design (PD) process. Results demonstrated that the intervention reduced fruit waste mass by 72% per session and increased byproduct reuse rates from 15% to 68%. Sensory evaluations confirmed that these waste-reduction practices did not compromise product quality (p > 0.05). This approach provides a behavior-anchored unit process for pre-consumer waste reporting. Full article

Sustainable dietary transitions are increasingly recognised as essential for addressing the interconnected challenges of public health, environmental degradation and food system sustainability. Although the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is widely acknowledged as a healthy and sustainable dietary model, adherence has progressively declined across diverse populations. This study develops an integrated conceptual framework to explain the sustainable adoption of the Mediterranean Diet, with particular emphasis on the conceptual mediating role of plant-based foods. A structured conceptual narrative review was conducted using interdisciplinary evidence from nutrition science, sustainability research, behavioural sciences and food policy. The proposed framework integrates individual capacities, socio-cultural contexts, structural environments and ecological awareness within a systems-oriented perspective. The findings suggest that dietary behaviour is shaped by dynamic and context-dependent interactions influenced by feedback mechanisms, life-course transitions and structural constraints. Within this framework, plant-based foods function as integrative leverage points linking health, environmental and cultural dimensions. The study highlights the limitations of individual-centred approaches and emphasises the importance of coordinated multi-level strategies to support sustainable dietary transitions. Overall, the framework provides a theoretically grounded basis for future research, policy development and integrated interventions aimed at promoting resilient and sustainable food systems. Full article

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) research in hospitality has grown substantially, most evidence comes from large corporations in high-income countries, leaving food-service micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in emerging economies largely unexplored. This study investigated which sociodemographic and organizational factors predict operational CSR practices in 150 formal restaurants in Piura, Peru, using a quantitative, cross-sectional, associative-predictive design. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics v.28 for descriptive, bivariate, and regression analyses, and IBM SPSS AMOS v.27 for confirmatory factor analysis. Grounded in an integrative framework combining human capital theory, institutional theory, and stakeholder theory, the study operationalized CSR through three dimensions validated for the Peruvian context: supplier relations, customer relations, and food safety. Multiple regression analysis revealed that manager academic education, certifications, and monthly sales were significant predictors, jointly explaining 23.9% of CSR variance, while firm size and service mode were not significant. Nearly all establishments scored at an intermediate CSR level, with none reaching the optimal category. Theoretically, these findings demonstrate that managerial cognitive capabilities and institutional routinization mechanisms are more powerful drivers of sustainability adoption than firm size in resource-constrained contexts. Practically, the results suggest that subsidized certification programs and targeted management training represent more efficient sustainability levers than generic business growth loans for food-service MSEs, contributing to SDG targets 8.3, 12.3, and 12.6. Full article

Food security in middle-income countries is a growing phenomenon, becoming more relevant than ever before. This study examines the effects of government expenditure, nutrition, and sustainability on health and food security in middle-income countries, with a focus on child stunting under macroeconomic constraints. It measures the impact on the empirical environment, accounting for relevant macroeconomic constraints that affect child stunting. Using the System Generalized Method of Moments (System–GMM) model to control for endogeneity and persistence in food security, a panel data set of 35 middle-income countries over the period 2000–2023 is employed. The results reveal strong persistence in food security dynamics (β = 0.642, p < 0.01). Government health expenditure significantly improves food security (β = −0.481, p < 0.01), whereas inflation (β = 0.074), public debt (β = 0.028), and exchange rate depreciation (β = 0.516) increase food insecurity. Child stunting was positively associated with food insecurity (β = 0.219, p < 0.01), whereas sustainability was associated with improved food security outcomes (β = −0.273, p < 0.05). The long-run effect of government health expenditure (−1.344) substantially exceeds its short-run impact, highlighting the importance of sustained investment. The findings underscore the need for integrated policies that combine public health investment, macroeconomic stability, and sustainability-oriented development to strengthen food security and reduce chronic malnutrition in middle-income countries. Full article

The modern food industry faces increasing pressure to reduce environmental impacts, while at the same time preserving product safety, quality, nutritional value, and industrial relevance. This review synthesizes three related pillars of sustainable food processing: green extraction technologies, natural fermentation, and analytical quality validation. Green extraction methods can reduce dependence on conventional organic solvents, shorten processing time, and support the extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials and by-products of the food industry. Natural fermentation is a low-impact biotechnological approach to improve sensory quality, shelf life, nutritional value, and valorization of low-cost raw materials or residues. However, sustainability cannot be judged only through lower consumption of resources or general “green” claims. It also requires analytical confirmation of the content of bioactive compounds, oxidative stability, contaminants, authenticity, traceability, standardization, and product safety. In response to reviewers’ recommendations, the review includes a transparent literature selection protocol, a clearer distinction of challenges, research gaps, and future perspectives, as well as additional quantitative comparative tables covering extraction technologies, fermentation applications, and analytical methods. The review shows that the future of sustainable food processing depends on integrating extraction, fermentation, by-product valorization, foodomics approaches, life cycle thinking, real-time monitoring, and industrial-scale validation within the circular economy. Full article

Circular agriculture has emerged as a promising framework for addressing the inefficiencies and environmental pressures associated with conventional food production systems. Within this context, livestock systems can play a transformative role by enabling waste valorisation, enhancing nutrient recycling, and improving overall resource-use efficiency. This review critically examines the multifunctional role of livestock in circular agriculture, with a particular focus on their capacity to convert non-human-edible biomass, such as crop residues, agro-industrial by-products, and food waste, into high-value animal-sourced foods. Drawing on the recent literature, the analysis explores how livestock systems can be reconfigured to utilise non-human-edible biomass, including crop residues, agro-industrial by-products, and food waste, thereby reducing competition between feed and food while enhancing sustainability outcomes. The findings highlight that livestock can function as biological upcycles, converting low-value materials into high-quality animal products, while also contributing to closed nutrient loops through manure management and integration with crop production. Additional benefits include the generation of renewable energy through anaerobic digestion and improved economic resilience through diversified outputs. However, the extent of these benefits depends on system design, management practices, and regional context. Despite their potential, circular livestock systems face challenges related to greenhouse gas emissions, regulatory constraints, economic feasibility, and knowledge gaps. These challenges highlight the need for a systems-based evaluation that accounts for environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The study concludes that livestock can contribute meaningfully to sustainable food system transitions when aligned with circular principles, but their role must be critically assessed to avoid burden-shifting and unintended environmental impacts. Full article

This article investigates food poverty in South Tyrol, a generally affluent region, to understand how socio-economic changes—particularly the COVID-19 pandemic—have reshaped patterns of vulnerability within local food systems and challenged social sustainability. Using a qualitative approach, the study draws on interviews with institutional and third-sector actors, adults involved in local food networks, and focus groups to capture diverse perspectives on access to food. The findings reveal a coexistence of overall economic prosperity with hidden forms of food insecurity and unequal access to healthy and sustainable food. Although official statistics report relatively low levels of childhood overweight and obesity, certain groups—including elderly individuals, migrant families, and low-income households—face increasing challenges due to rising living costs and constrained access to nutritious food. The pandemic functioned as a temporary stressor that exposed pre-existing fragilities while also encouraging adaptive responses within local welfare systems. In particular, alternative food networks such as solidarity purchasing groups and emerging food cooperatives play a complementary role by promoting food autonomy, social support, and dignity-based assistance. These initiatives highlight forms of need not always captured by traditional welfare mechanisms. The study concludes that addressing food poverty in high-income contexts requires integrated, place-based strategies that combine social inclusion, nutritional education, intersectoral governance, and community-driven food practices. Full article

The commercialization of Km 0 products has emerged as a strategic approach to strengthening rural economies, promoting sustainability, and countering depopulation in European territories. This study examines the motivations and perceptions of three key stakeholder groups—farmers, restaurant businesses, and public officials—regarding rural permanence and the role of Km 0 commercialization. Based on original survey data collected in Spain (2024), the research adopts a comparative perspective to identify convergences and divergences across these actors. Results show that farmers perceive Km 0 as vital for the survival of family farms and the preservation of territorial identity, while restaurants view it as a competitive advantage to ensure freshness and authenticity in gastronomy. Public officials frame Km 0 as a governance tool for rural revitalization and demographic stabilization. Despite these different orientations, all groups converge on valuing quality of life, contact with nature, and sustainability. Structural constraints such as inadequate infrastructure, limited digital connectivity, and generational renewal remain significant barriers across contexts. Situating these findings within the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the agroecological transition framework, this article suggests that Km 0 commercialization holds potential as an instrument for sustainability, territorial resilience, and food sovereignty in contemporary rural Europe, while acknowledging that the exploratory nature of this study calls for caution in extrapolating these findings beyond the specific contexts examined. Full article

Wine production is one of the most important agricultural activities worldwide, and generates significant amounts of organic by-products, particularly grape pomace. Traditionally, this was seen as waste, but currently, this residue has been reanalyzed from the perspective of the principles of the bioeconomy and circular economy, demonstrating its potential as a rich source of bioactive compounds with great potential for valorization. Its heterogeneous composition accumulates a variety of polyphenols, dietary fibers, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other secondary metabolites that confer important biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. The chemical composition of grape pomace varies substantially according to variety, winemaking method, and extraction conditions, directly impacting its potential application. Extraction methods have progressed from traditional procedures to more advanced techniques such as ultrasound, supercritical fluids, and natural solvents, enabling the selective separation of high-value compounds. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of grape pomace valorization, emphasising its composition, green extraction and current industrial applications. In addition, regulatory frameworks and sustainability strategies supporting the integration of grape pomace into value-added production chains are discussed. Overall, grape pomace valorization supports waste reduction and the production of new functional products that balance economic efficiency and environmental responsibility. Full article

Croatia’s diverse agroecological zones, from Mediterranean coastal areas to continental lowlands, enable the cultivation of a broad portfolio of traditional fruit species that contribute simultaneously to biodiversity conservation, rural livelihoods, and the development of value-added food and beverage products. This review compiles and harmonizes evidence on six economically and culturally relevant crops and product chains—grapevine and wine, apple, pear, quince, sour cherry, mulberry, and plum with the traditional spirit šljivovica—focusing on genetic resources and cultivar diversity, agronomic and environmental performance, bioactive composition and potential health relevance, processing routes and by-product valorization, and the socio-economic roles of geographical indications, gastronomy, and tourism. Across species, the literature highlights recurring sustainability levers: safeguarding indigenous and old cultivars as reservoirs of adaptive traits under climate change; reducing chemical inputs through cultivar choice, organic and low-input systems, cover crops, and resistant genotypes; strengthening circularity by converting pomace and other residues into spirits, vinegars, functional ingredients, feed, compost, or energy carriers; and increasing rural value capture through branding, protected origin schemes, and experiential tourism. At the same time, production systems face shared constraints, including fragmentation of holdings, labour shortages, phytosanitary pressures, and the need to optimize processing technologies to preserve sensory and bioactive quality while meeting safety and regulatory requirements. By integrating crop-specific evidence with cross-cutting sustainability themes, this review outlines a coherent framework for positioning traditional Croatian fruit resources and their derived products within contemporary sustainable food system transitions. Full article

Humankind is facing the enormous challenge of ensuring a sustainable future for new generations. A key guide to addressing this challenge is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to promote economic and social development and environmental preservation. Despite the good intentions embedded in the SDGs, current performance worldwide remains below expectations. To be effective, the progress on the SDGs depends on the creation of new scientific knowledge. In this context, universities and research institutes should play a fundamental role in generating new scientific knowledge. Although recent models have been developed to assess universities’ knowledge creation to advance the SDGs, it remains necessary to develop new models that can more effectively evaluate and detail this capability. The goal of this article is to introduce a three-level framework for identifying SDG science at the country level across universities and research institutes. This model is validated through a documentary study based on SciVal-Elsevier data, on Brazilian universities, and a research institute in the context of SDG 2 research—zero hunger—between 2015 and 2024. As the main results, the framework provides three levels of knowledge mapping based on subject areas, knowledge categories, and cluster names, whereas the first and the last are used in the Scopus database, and the third is proposed in this study. As a result, this framework consists of a practical instrument for the mapping of the effective issues addressed in each SDG, and for comparing the effective content of SDG science between research institutions. As the main contribution, this article introduces a practical instrument for the assessment of the contribution of universities and research institutes in SDG science. Theoretically, this framework provides a practical process for rapidly identifying the current SDG science performance in research institutions at the country level. For practical purposes, this study can be used by universities, research institutes, and policymakers to understand the current state of SDG science in a country or region and to develop new research programmes and strategies for SDG science and innovation. Full article

Craft breweries generate a complex set of byproducts that exceed 2 million tons annually. Their disposal possesses material handling, financial, and environmental challenges. A mixture of these, namely trub, hops, and yeast, designated THYM^®, was evaluated biochemically and in a feeding trial to enhance its valuation. THYM contained approximately 3% α plus β hop acids, 0.2% xanthohumol (XN), and 35% crude protein. It exhibited antimicrobial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 137 ± 39 μg/mL for B. subtilis, and antioxidant activity, with 90 ± 13 μmol/g of Trolox equivalents. THYM presented positive results in bovine rumen microbial in vitro fermentations, decreasing methane production and the acetate:propionate ratio at 3 mg/mL. These results led to a nine-week feedlot trial with 45 Black Angus weanling steers on either a corn silage-based diet (CON), CON with monensin (MON) at 200 mg/animal, or CON with 1% THYM (THYM). Data were analyzed by SAS 9.4 with two orthogonal contrasts of CON vs. MON and THYM and MON vs. THYM. While average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) did not differ among treatments, a tendency was observed for the THYM and MON groups to have a greater gain to feed ratio (ADG:DMI) when compared to CON (p = 0.07). The XN metabolite 8-prenylnarigenin, a potent phytoestrogen, was present in the serum of the THYM group at 4.0 ± 0.9 nM by mass spectrometry. These brewing byproducts, which can be drum-dried, were well tolerated and show potential value as a cattle growth promoter. Full article