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Sustainable development is a global priority, essential for meeting the social, economic, and environmental needs of future generations. Governments worldwide have undertaken extensive research efforts to identify effective pathways for achieving sustainable development. In 2017, the financial sector contributed 15% of the global GDP. Given the central role of financial systems in both national and global economies, their integration into sustainability initiatives is essential. The United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development highlights the importance of financial inclusion in addressing economic disparities, particularly in rural African areas where a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line. This study examines the potential of Financial Technology (FinTech) to drive sustainable development in Nigeria, a country marked by high financial exclusion, wealth inequality, and poverty. Through textual analysis and semi-structured interviews, this research identifies three critical areas for investment to enhance the adoption of FinTech and promote sustainable growth: financial and educational literacy, an enabling environment with supportive policies, and robust regulatory measures to protect end-users. These initiatives are essential for building confidence and fostering greater adoption of FinTech in Nigeria. Full article

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are central to sustainable development in transition economies, yet their financial fragility often limits resilience and the capacity to invest in innovation and responsible practices. Despite growing interest in SME, financial health and its role in sustainability, empirical evidence from small transition economies like Montenegro remains scarce, particularly on how liquidity and profitability dynamics underpin conditions for SDG-aligned growth. This study addresses this gap by analyzing how core financial indicators—cash position, capital structure, and working capital efficiency—affect liquidity and profitability among 345 Montenegrin SMEs across manufacturing, services, and trade. Using OLS and robust regression models, results reveal that a higher cash-to-revenue ratio and moderate leverage significantly enhance both short-term solvency and profitability, while working capital efficiency shows nuanced effects and sector-specific patterns emerge in capital-intensive industries. These findings highlight financial management as a foundation for SME resilience, creating financial preconditions for innovation and digital investments in aligned with SDGs (goals 8, 9, 12). Policy recommendations focus on improving finance access and financial literacy to foster innovation-driven, sustainable SME models aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Full article

This study explores how governance acts as a critical mediator between key environmental Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—and overall sustainability performance. Leveraging global datasets from the UN SDG framework and World Bank Governance Indicators, we construct a composite governance index using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to capture institutional quality. Through mediation and path analysis, we reveal striking patterns: governance amplifies the positive impact of SDG 15 on the overall SDG Index, underscoring its role in biodiversity and land management. Conversely, governance introduces an adverse indirect effect for SDG 13, highlighting institutional and regulatory gaps that weaken climate policy outcomes. No significant mediation is observed for SDG 14, indicating strong contextual dependencies in marine governance. These findings confirm governance as a pivotal driver—either reinforcing or constraining environmental progress. Strengthening governance frameworks through transparency, accountability, and regulatory quality can accelerate progress toward the SDGs and advance the 2030 Agenda. This study provides empirical evidence on governance as a mediator and deepens understanding of institutional mechanisms shaping sustainability trajectories. Full article

The increasing need to regenerate public housing stock highlights the importance of adopting integrated evaluation tools capable of supporting transparent, sustainable, and public value-oriented investment decisions. This study compares two alternative intervention strategies—renovation with extension and demolition followed by reconstruction—by applying a Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) model developed in two phases. In the first phase, the analysis focuses on social benefits, with the aim of assessing their contribution to collective well-being. The second phase incorporates potential energy-related benefits, estimated on the basis of performance improvements associated with the two design scenarios. The results demonstrate that the integrated consideration of economic, social, and energy–environmental dimensions affects the relative performance differences between the examined strategies, offering a more comprehensive evaluation framework than conventional approaches based solely on monetary costs. The proposed model, which is replicable in Mediterranean contexts, contributes to the ongoing international debate on ex ante evaluation tools and provides operational insights to support urban regeneration policies oriented towards more effective, equitable, and policy-consistent solutions, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda. The two-phase structure allows decision-makers to distinguish between short-term social effects and long-term energy-related benefits, offering a transparent support tool for public investment choices under fiscal constraints. Full article

The concept of sustainable development has emerged as a global consensus, forged in response to environmental constraints and critical reflection on conventional growth-oriented paradigms. It now serves as the overarching framework for addressing climate, ecological, and socio-economic crises. In the period after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2016, there was an observable trend of increased integration of these objectives into the strategic frameworks of national and subnational entities. However, global assessments have indicated a divergence between the progress achieved and the trajectory delineated by the SDGs. The Earth system is demonstrating signs of decreased resilience, with widening inequalities and the emergence of multiple crises, thereby hindering the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the 2030 deadline approaches, a fundamental question arises for global development governance: what should be the future of the SDGs beyond 2030? While insufficient progress has prompted debates over the adequacy of the SDG framework, fundamentally revising or replacing the SDGs would risk undermining a hard-won international consensus forged through decades of negotiation and institutional investment. Based on a comprehensive review of the historical evolution of the sustainable development concept, this study argues that the SDGs represent a rare and fragile achievement in global governance. While insufficient progress has sparked debates about their effectiveness, fundamentally revising or replacing the SDGs would jeopardize the hard-won international consensus forged through decades of negotiations and institutional investments. This study further analyzes the latest progress on the SDGs and identifies emerging risks, aiming to explore how to accelerate and optimize sustainable development pathways within the existing SDG framework rather than propose a new global goal system. Based on both global experience and practice in China, four interconnected strategic priorities—namely, economic reform, social equity, environmental justice, and technology sharing—are proposed as a comprehensive framework to accelerate SDG implementation and guide the transformation of development pathways towards a more just, low-carbon, and resilient future. Full article

Contemporary environmental challenges necessitate the adoption of active learning methods within educational frameworks, particularly those that foster the development of environmental awareness among young people. The 2030 Agenda underscores the importance of project-based learning as a strategy for building the competencies required to achieve sustainable development goals. In this context, the attitudes and behavior of young people towards the environment serve as critical indicators of future social transformations within the sphere of sustainable development. The aim of this research was to determine whether project-based learning in geography, as opposed to traditional teaching methods, exerts a more pronounced influence on the formation of environmental values, attitudes, and pro-environmental behavior among students in their final year of primary school. The research was conducted using a convenience sample (n = 255) and employed pedagogical experimental surveys with parallel group designs. In the experimental group, project-based learning was implemented, whereas the control group continued with traditional teaching approaches. To assess environmental values and attitudes, the research employed a scale grounded in the EAATE framework, and pro-environmental behavior was evaluated using a measurement scale derived from the PEB and GEB scales. The obtained results are attributed to the influence of project-based learning. Although they cannot be generalized to the entire population, they indicate the potential of project-based learning as a more effective strategy in environmental education. Furthermore, these findings provide opportunities for further professional and scientific research in this area. Full article

Global warming has become a top priority on the international environmental policy agenda. The recent rise in CO₂ emissions observed in Türkiye has further emphasized the country’s critical role in addressing climate change. This study aims to estimate Türkiye’s CO₂ emissions through 2030 and identify the key socioeconomic and environmental factors driving these emissions, using multiple linear regression (MLR) and time series analysis methods. Six primary variables are examined: population, gross domestic product (GDP), CO₂ intensity, per capita energy consumption, total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and forest area. This study introduces a new multivariate forecasting framework that integrates time series projections with multiple linear regression and elasticity-based sensitivity analysis, providing novel insight into the relative influence of key emission drivers compared to prior research. The results suggest that, if current policy trends persist, Türkiye’s CO₂ emissions will increase substantially by 2030. Variables such as GHG emissions, energy consumption, and population growth are found to have an increasing effect on emissions, while the limited expansion of forest areas is insufficient to offset this trend. In contrast, the negative correlation between GDP and CO₂ emissions suggests that economic growth can occur in alignment with environmental sustainability. The model’s validity is supported by a high R² (0.99) value and low error rates. The findings indicate that Türkiye must reassess its current strategies and strengthen policies targeting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon sinks to achieve its climate goals. The proposed framework provides a transparent basis for climate planning and policy prioritization in Türkiye. Full article

This study investigates how economic development interacts with sustainability performance in the European Union, focusing on the structural and technological factors that shape progress in the green transition. Using Eurostat data for 27 EU member states over the period 2015–2023, the analysis employs panel econometric models (Pooled Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effects, and Random Effects) to explore how circular economy performance, innovation capacity, human capital, and renewable energy use influence environmental and economic outcomes across member states. The results show that R&D intensity and skilled human resources are key drivers of sustainability. Higher levels of circular material use and resource productivity contribute to long-term competitiveness. In contrast, uneven progress in renewable energy deployment points to persistent regional disparities and possible structural constraints that limit convergence. Northern and Western Europe record the strongest advances in innovation and environmental efficiency, whereas Southern and Eastern regions remain affected by industrial legacies and lower absorptive capacity. The findings highlight that, in the short term, renewable energy expansion may involve adjustment costs and potential trade-offs with economic competitiveness in less technologically developed economies. This study provides new comparative evidence on the differentiated pathways of the green transition across the EU. Policy implications suggest the need to reinforce R&D investment, expand circular manufacturing, and support an inclusive technological transition consistent with the European Green Deal and the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Full article

This study identifies key determinants shaping countries’ Sustainable Development Goals performance and develops classification models for predicting country group membership based on the SDG Index. The research addresses the urgent need to optimize development policies amid limited resources and the approaching 2030 Agenda deadline. Using data from 154 countries (2024), the analysis reveals that key SDG determinants are fundamentally method-dependent: discriminant analysis identified Goals 10, 6, 15, and 5 as most influential for differentiating countries by SDGI level, while Random Forest identified Goals 4, 9, and 2 as the most important predictors. This divergence reflects fundamentally different analytical perspectives—linear contributions to group separation versus complex nonlinear interactions and synergies between goals—with critical policy implications for prioritization strategies. Correlation analysis demonstrates that sustainable development dynamics operate differently across development stages: high-development countries show strongest associations with technological advancement and institutional capacity, while low-development countries exhibit compensation effects where basic infrastructure provision occurs alongside lagging human capital development. The discriminant model achieved 94.08% overall accuracy with perfect classification for extreme SDGI categories, while the Random Forest model provides complementary insights into interactive pathways. The scientific contribution lies in demonstrating that perceived variable importance depends on analytical framework rather than representing objective reality, and in providing validated classification tools for rapid assessment in data-limited contexts. These findings offer actionable guidance for evidence-based resource allocation and policy prioritization in the critical final years of SDG implementation. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with recent upheavals in global trade and development assistance funding has disrupted routine immunization programmes and diverted health systems from the targets set in the Immunization Agenda 2030. Regulatory systems are often underappreciated or misunderstood but in fact play a critical role in enabling innovation and facilitating timely access to vaccines for sustained immunization, thereby building vaccine confidence and health system resilience. Regulation is the constant denominator throughout the vaccine life cycle, shaping the pathway from early research and development to approval and market entry and ultimately to equitable distribution and sustained safe use. This paper examines the role of regulation and proposes that regulation be reframed as a function of health system resilience and a structural determinant of immunization sustainability. We synthesize evidence across the vaccine regulatory life cycle, examining innovation facilitation, regional cooperation, public health strengthening and describe the roles of regulation in building health system resilience, namely driving sustainable vaccine access, enabling innovation, supporting regional collaboration and strengthening social acceptance. Without this shift in perspective, regulatory systems strengthening risks being underfunded, reactive, and fragmented; this will perpetuate inequities in vaccine access and undermine the sustainability of immunization programmes. Full article

Active biopolymer-based packaging incorporating phytochemicals offers promising sustainable alternatives for reducing postharvest losses and extending food shelf life. This study aimed to advance natural food packaging by (i) developing and characterizing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) using choline chloride combined with citric acid (CC-CA), glucose (CC-G), and urea (CC-U); (ii) obtaining bioactive extracts from Uxi bark and Jambolan leaves using these NADES; (iii) formulating babassu mesocarp-based coatings enriched with CC-CA extracts; and (iv) evaluating their application on cherry tomatoes. CC-U exhibited the lowest density (1.152 ± 0.037 g cm⁻³), while CC-G demonstrated the highest viscosity (18.375 ± 0.430 mPa s), and CC-CA presented the lowest polarity parameter (E_NR) value (44.6 ± 0.1 kcal mol⁻¹). Extracts obtained with CC-CA (YU-CA and JL-CA) showed high extraction efficiency, strong antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition > 95%), and antimicrobial activity, particularly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although the coatings exhibited lower bioactivity than the extracts, they effectively reduced weight loss, maintained firmness, and preserved the microbiological quality of tomatoes for up to 9 days. Sensory analysis of bruschetta prepared with coated tomatoes indicated high acceptance (>80%). Babassu mesocarp-based coatings enriched with Amazonian plant extracts emerge as an innovative active packaging strategy aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Political trust is essential for implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. At the same time, there has been a long-standing decline in political trust within democratic countries, which presents a considerable obstacle to the enactment of sustainable development policies. Although prior research has explored the relationship between economic conditions and political trust, evidence on how different dimensions of inequality jointly shape trust remains limited. This study addresses this gap by analysing how economic inequality, regional economic disparities, and subjective income perceptions affect political trust. Using data from the European Social Survey (Round 9), we estimate multilevel models that account for both individual- and country-level factors. The results demonstrate a negative relationship between individual income and political trust, while lower economic inequality strengthens this negative relationship. Our findings highlight that reducing economic inequality is crucial for enhancing political trust, suggesting that governments should prioritize equitable resource distribution and address regional disparities to foster trust in institutions. By integrating subjective well-being with objective economic indicators, this research offers a comprehensive view of how inequality affects political trust across the EU countries and outlines institutional and distributive conditions that support progress toward the SDGs. Full article

This article analyzes the effectiveness of Poland’s central government administration in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, addressing the context of high-level strategic declarations versus actual policy outcomes. The study employs a qualitative critical document analysis, conducted as comprehensive desk research. This method involves a comparative analysis of official strategic and policy documents (e.g., “Strategy for Responsible Development”) against the empirical findings of external audits from the Supreme Audit Office (NIK), supplemented by national (GUS) and international statistical data. The analysis reveals a fundamental “implementation gap.” While Poland has successfully created a robust strategic and institutional framework, reflected in high international SDG rankings, this success masks deep deficits and stagnation in key areas, particularly in the environmental dimension. Audits consistently confirm systemic problems with inter-ministerial coordination, ensuring adequate financing, and the lack of reliable evaluation for key programs, such as “Clean Air” or the circular economy roadmap. Considering these findings, the study concludes that operational effectiveness does not match strategic declarations. The analysis identifies systemic weaknesses and recommends urgent, targeted strategic actions to bridge the gap between policy and practice, particularly by strengthening coordination and evaluation mechanisms. Full article

Many cities worldwide face decline due to mineral-resource exhaustion, with mining-induced subsidence and land degradation posing urgent land use challenges. At the same time, carbon neutrality has become a global agenda, promoting ecological restoration, emissions reduction, and green transformation in resource-exhausted cities. However, empirical evidence on how carbon neutrality strategies drive land use transition remains scarce. Taking Xuzhou, China, as a case study, we integrate the GeoSOS–FLUS land use simulation model with a Markov chain model to project land use patterns in 2030 under three scenarios: natural development (ND), land recovery (LR), and carbon neutrality (CN). Using emission factors and a land use carbon inventory, we quantify spatial distributions and temporal shifts in carbon emission and sequestration. Results show that LR’s rigid recovery policies restrict broader transitions, while the CN scenario effectively reshapes land use by enhancing the competitiveness of low-carbon types such as forests and new-energy land. Under CN, built-up land expansion is curbed, forests and new-energy land are maximized, and emissions fall by 4.95% from 2020. Carbon neutrality offers opportunities for industrial renewal and ecological restoration in resource-exhausted cities, steering transformations toward approaches that balance ecological function and carbon benefits. Long-term monitoring is required to evaluate policy sustainability and effectiveness. Full article

Rapid advances in digital technologies are reshaping value creation and the trade landscape of global financial services, yet the channels through which they influence the spatial evolution of financial services global value chains (GVCs) remain insufficiently identified. Using a global panel of 52 countries over 2013–2021, we estimate a dynamic Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) to identify overall effects and quantify spatial spillovers and temporal dynamics. We then combine Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) with spatial mediation models to examine heterogeneity and underlying mechanisms. Our findings show that digital technology significantly drives the spatial evolution of financial services GVCs. Its influence is dominated by spatial diffusion, exhibiting a dynamic pattern of a strong short-run boost followed by long-run reallocation. This dynamic effect is not homogeneous; rather, it reflects a pronounced dual-driver structure: the momentum is more robust when human capital and R&D output reinforce each other, whereas increases in innovation level alone are unlikely to translate into sustained impetus for spatial restructuring. Crucially, digital technologies reshape GVC geography through three core channels: attenuating distance decay, strengthening spatial proximity, and amplifying spatial heterogeneity. These forces deepen the domestic diffusion of knowledge, capital, and technology and extend their spillovers to neighboring and connected economies. The results provide robust empirical evidence on financial geography in the digital era and have clear implications for policies that facilitate cross-border financial services and strengthen regional coordination in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 8 (financial inclusion) and SDG 10 (global financial governance). Full article