Search Results (103)

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

Soils as the important components of the global carbon cycle play a critical role in food security as well as in supporting adaptation to climate change. The current review presents recent research on interactions between soil systems and climate dynamics. Climate change and poor land-use practices pose significant threats to soil health. In this context, the application of Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) strategies provides important benefits. These practices contribute to climate change mitigation by increasing carbon storage in soils and improving soil resilience to extreme climate conditions. Regenerative agriculture practices, including Conservation Agriculture (CA), cover crops, organic materials, and diversified cropping systems can store carbon at rates of about 0.1 to 1.2 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Moreover, these practices improve biodiversity and enhance soil properties, with yield responses varying depending on environmental and management conditions. Climate change accelerates soil degradation by raising temperatures, altering rainfall patterns, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Consequently, these factors lead to marked reductions in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks and degrade essential soil properties. This review places SSM within an extensive sustainability framework that is closely linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key goals addressed include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It also examines related policies, presents case studies from different agroecological regions, and discusses future research directions. Wider adoption of SSM requires strong economic incentives and inclusive governance. These measures can support climate-resilient agriculture and net-zero emission goals. Full article

This study presents pedagogical innovations in the undergraduate course Postharvest Technology and Quality Management at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), where project-based learning (PBL) is used to integrate academic quality assurance and sustainability education, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study adopts a descriptive multiple-case approach to analyze five representative student projects and their alignment with the SDGs. The projects address real-world postharvest challenges, including quality preservation, renewable energy use, and food loss reduction. A qualitative cross-case analysis based on SDGs mapping criteria was used to evaluate project alignment and societal outcomes. Representative student projects demonstrate how inquiry-driven learning enhances technical competence and research skills. Quantitative outcomes include a reduction in weight loss from 27.1% to 18.8% in coated tomatoes, increased weight loss up to 46.37% under severe mechanical damage in zucchini, and significant firmness reduction in bruised apples (53.23 N to 21.64 N). Hybrid infrared–hot air drying improved drying efficiency by reducing drying time and enhancing moisture removal, while banana coating experiments showed reduced moisture loss and delayed ripening. The analysis shows that all five projects align with at least two SDGs, with SDG 12 addressed in 100% of the cases. The curriculum is explicitly aligned with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). The study highlights the societal relevance of course-based projects through their contribution to SDG-related challenges and emphasizes the role of mentorship, teamwork, and experiential learning infrastructure in sustaining effective PBL implementation. Cross-case comparison highlights common sustainability contributions, including a reduction in postharvest losses, adoption of natural preservation methods, and improvements in energy-efficient processing. The findings highlight the potential of course-based PBL as a context-specific approach for integrating sustainability into undergraduate education. Full article

This study examines the reasons why the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain persistently underrepresented in university disclosures. Drawing on documentary evidence from 1001 universities, it investigates how SDG engagement is distributed across higher education and why certain goals attract consistently weaker institutional visibility. The study combines large-scale qualitative content analysis with a benchmark analysis of 40 universities that demonstrate stronger documented engagement with the least-selected goals. Four SDGs stand out: SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 13 (Climate action), and SDG 14 (Life below water). Universities tend to prioritise goals that fit established missions, governance arrangements, reporting routines, and evidentiary expectations. More demanding goals require something deeper: stronger organisational architecture, clearer governance anchoring, better evidence systems, cross-functional integration, and outward-facing partnerships. Building on these findings, the study develops four goal-specific implementation frameworks informed by benchmark practice and recognised disclosure standards, including GRI and IFRS S1/S2, to support more balanced and credible SDG engagement across universities. Full article

With increasing water scarcity and growing food demand, enhancing agricultural productivity has become a pressing necessity, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Maize is a strategic crop, yet under surface irrigation, modern technologies are required to optimize irrigation efficiency and reduce water losses. Two field trials were conducted during the summer seasons of 2024 and 2025 on a private farm in Banha, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, using a three-replication split-block design. This study evaluated three land slopes (0, 0.05, and 0.15%) and two furrow lengths (50 and 75 m) under furrow irrigation in clay loam soil, using the maize hybrid “Single Cross 2036.” The results demonstrated that both furrow length and land slope significantly affected all measured parameters. Shorter furrows (50 m) consistently outperformed longer ones (75 m), achieving better growth parameters, higher grain yield, improved harvest index, and enhanced irrigation water productivity. Regarding land slope, the 0.15% slope produced the best results, although it was not significantly different from the 0.05% slope in most cases. The interaction between furrow length and land slope was significant; the combination of 50 m furrows with 0.15% slope produced the highest values across all parameters. For longer furrows (75 m), the gentler 0.05% slope was more effective than the steeper 0.15% slope. Notably, 50 m furrows, even with 0% slope, performed better than 75 m furrows with the optimal 0.05% slope, indicating that furrow length is more critical than slope for maximizing maize productivity in clay loam soils. Economic analysis confirmed these findings, with the combination of 50 m furrows and 0.15% slope achieving the highest net return (29,565 EGP ha⁻¹) and revenue-to-cost ratio (1.38), representing a substantial increase in net profit compared to traditional practices. Therefore, a 0.15% slope is recommended for shorter furrows (50 m), while a gentler 0.05% slope is more suitable for longer furrows (75 m). These findings provide a practical pathway for policymakers and farmers to enhance resource efficiency and contribute to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Full article

Food security and sustainable agriculture, as components of the Zero Hunger goal (SDG 2) under sustainable development, have garnered significant attention from countries worldwide. Enhancing agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Agricultural socialized services serve as a key means of boosting AGTFP and realizing sustainable development. Based on data from 1534 counties in China from 2007 to 2023, this study employed methods such as the super-efficiency SBM-GML index, a two-way fixed-effects model, and a moderation model to examine the impact of agricultural socialized services on AGTFP, with a particular focus on the moderating role of land scale management. The findings indicate a nonlinear, inverted U-shaped correlation between agricultural socialized services and AGTFP, driven by both the “quantity” and “quality” aspects of these services. Simultaneously, land scale management significantly moderates this relationship. Specifically, the curve’s inflection point shifts leftward and flattens as land scale management intensifies. Furthermore, agricultural socialized services exhibit greater effectiveness in improving AGTFP in major grain-production areas and low regional fiscal pressure regions. These findings provide valuable insights into sustainable agriculture development in China, offering guidance for other developing nations in similar circumstances. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice paddies poses serious threats to food safety. This study investigated the effects of bamboo biochar, a microbial agent, and their combination on Cd accumulation, soil properties, and rhizosphere microbial communities in the rice cultivar ‘Ning 47’ (Oryza sativa L.) under Cd stress (20 mg·kg⁻¹). Cd stress significantly reduced plant height, root length, and yield. However, combined treatment with biochar and microbial agent (CdMB) effectively mitigated these effects, reducing Cd content in grains, stems, and roots by 85.98%, 88.66%, and 73.89%, respectively, compared to Cd treatment alone. The CdMB treatment also significantly increased soil organic matter and total nitrogen content while decreasing soil Cd levels by 88.38%. Network analysis identified Flavisolibacter as a keystone taxon under CdMB treatment, indicating enhanced microbial network stability. This also provides a theoretical reference for the management of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils. By reducing grain Cd contamination and enhancing soil health, this integrated approach addresses key targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Full article

In contemporary debates on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, there is growing recognition that artificial intelligence (AI) may contribute meaningfully to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), particularly by enhancing the efficiency of food aid distribution and resource allocation. However, such optimism must be critically situated within the broader institutional and ethical contexts in which AI operates. This study argues that the effectiveness of AI in conflict-affected settings is contingent not only on technical capacity but also on governance structures, ethical safeguards, and institutional trust, dimensions closely aligned with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Using the Gaza Strip as a case study, this article demonstrates that AI-driven food assistance mechanisms may inadvertently reinforce structural vulnerabilities. Specifically, algorithmic targeting of aid risks deepening dependency, exacerbating digital exclusion, and weakening already fragile governance systems. The absence of robust data accountability frameworks further complicates these dynamics, raising concerns regarding transparency, fairness, and long-term sustainability. The findings caution against privileging technical efficiency at the expense of socio-political stability. Rather, they highlight that the sustainability of AI interventions in humanitarian contexts fundamentally depends on the credibility and legitimacy of institutions. Accordingly, this study proposes a conceptual model for AI in hunger relief and digital humanitarianism that integrates technical innovation with institutional accountability and social trust. This study presents a narrative review informed by structural searching that examines the influence of AI on food security interventions in fragile contexts. This analysis applies a combined ethical governance and sustainability lens to assess current applications and risks. This research advances a broader analytical framework that moves beyond purely technical interpretations of AI, emphasizing its role as a socio-political tool, through identifying five key pillars for sustainable AI governance: data sovereignty, algorithmic accountability, inclusive system design, community-led governance, and market integrity. Full article

This study examines whether international food price dynamics provide a reliable signal of undernourishment and human development outcomes relevant to the attainment of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030. We apply wavelet coherence analysis to the FAO Food Price Index and the prevalence of undernourishment (SDG Indicator 2.1.1) over 2001–2023, testing statistical significance against an AR(1) red-noise null hypothesis. Hybrid ARIMA–Random Forest models generate probabilistic price forecasts through 2030. Despite strong raw coherence (R² ≈ 0.77), only 7.8% of time–frequency cells achieve statistical significance, indicating that apparent co-movement largely reflects autocorrelation rather than substantive dependence. Where significant coherence emerges, it concentrates at medium-run horizons (3–6 years), consistent with undernourishment as a habitual dietary adequacy measure linked to sustained affordability pressures affecting health, productivity, and human capital formation. Rolling correlation analysis reveals suggestive evidence of a regime change around 2012—from negative to positive correlation—coinciding with a slowdown in progress toward reducing hunger, although the 5-year rolling windows yield only 19 observations, limiting the power of formal structural break tests. Price forecasts exhibit rapidly widening confidence intervals (by ±131 index points by 2030), underscoring fundamental limits to predictability. The annual PoU series comprises only 23 observations, which constrains the estimation of long-run (8–12-year) wavelet cycles; results at those horizons should therefore be interpreted with caution. These findings caution against mechanistic inferences from global price indices to hunger and human development outcomes, redirecting policy emphasis toward domestic transmission channels and nutrition-sensitive safety nets. Full article

A multi-dimensional quantitative assessment of high-quality development (HQD) in China’s livestock industry and the identification of its main constraints are essential to understanding its current stage and future direction. Guided by global sustainability targets and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an evaluation system was constructed by this study. This system integrates five key aspects: product safety, output efficiency, resource conservation, environmental friendliness, and regulatory effectiveness. Using provincial panel data from China for 2013–2022, this research applies the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, kernel density estimation (KDE), and an obstacle degree model for analysis, the goal is to support food security and foster environmentally sustainable growth. The findings indicate the following: (1) Notable inter-provincial disparities exist in the HQD of China’s livestock industry, revealing a spatial pattern of “leading in the east, stable in the center, and lagging in the west.” (2) The nationwide evolution exhibits a “convergence followed by divergence” pattern: from 2013 to 2017, the primary peak of the KDE rose and its width narrowed; from 2018 to 2022, the primary peak declined and its width widened, indicating that inter-provincial disparities first narrowed and then expanded. At the regional level, the development pattern is characterized by eastern polarization, central stability, and western lock-in. (3) Obstacle factor analysis identifies product safety and environmental friendliness as the principal constraints on HQD in the livestock industry. Addressing these bottlenecks is crucial for ensuring the supply of livestock products (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), promoting resource conservation and green production (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production), and alleviating the ecological and environmental pressures of the livestock industry (SDG 15: Protection of Terrestrial Ecosystems). The challenges related to resources, the environment, and quality safety confronting China’s livestock industry are common among developing countries. Consequently, the evaluation framework established in this study can offer methodological references for relevant nations. Full article

Optimizing planting density is a critical, cost-effective strategy for sustainable agricultural intensification, yet moving beyond static recommendations to environment-specific precision management remains a key challenge. This study establishes a three-step framework (comprising zoning, response extraction, and machine learning modeling) to determine optimum planting density (OPD) for rice (Oryza sativa L.). Utilizing a data-driven synthesis of 960 field observations from the Northeast Black Soil Region (NBSR) of China, we identified distinct spatial variability in OPD (16.6 to 37.4 × 10⁴ hills ha⁻¹). Northern regions computationally prioritized higher densities, aligning with agronomic strategies to offset thermal constraints, while southern regions favored lower densities to reduce canopy competition. Soil properties, particularly Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and Total Nitrogen (TN), were identified as the dominant predictive indicators, collectively surpassing climatic factors in their predictive importance. This highlights the foundational role of soil buffering capacity in estimating crop tolerance to density management. Based on model-derived estimates, optimized density management indicated potential yield improvements of 3.8% to 9.7% (up to 872.32 kg ha⁻¹) compared to conventional practices. By replacing uniform practices with dynamic, environment-driven strategies, this work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action), offering a scalable solution for diverse rice production systems under climate change. Full article

Climate change exerts a pronounced influence on streamflow regimes by altering precipitation characteristics and potential evapotranspiration, thereby affecting global water availability and hydrological functioning. This study investigates the hydrological behavior of the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB), a strategically important transboundary mountainous watershed, under a range of future climate scenarios. An integrated modeling approach combining process-based simulation and data-driven techniques is employed to generate new insights relevant to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network were calibrated and validated using daily streamflow observations spanning 1995–2014. During the calibration phase, SWAT yielded an R² of 0.71, a Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.59, and a PBIAS of 20.3%. In comparison, the LSTM model demonstrated improved predictive performance, achieving an R² of 0.72, an NSE of 0.71, and a PBIAS of −1.85%. Future discharge simulations were derived from bias-corrected climate projections obtained from 11 General Circulation Models under SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios for four future time slices (2015–2035, 2036–2055, 2056–2075, and 2076–2099), using 1995–2014 as the reference period. Under the high-emission SSP585 pathway, basin-wide precipitation is projected to increase by 14.7% by the late century, accompanied by substantial rises in maximum and minimum temperatures of 17.9% and 36.25%, respectively. SWAT simulations indicate streamflow increases of 7.1–9.9% under SSP245 and 10.1–11.7% under SSP585, whereas the LSTM model projects more pronounced increases of 17–25.6%. The outcomes of this research contribute significantly to multiple SDGs, with quantified impacts on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation, 35%), SDG 13 (Climate Action, 30%), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger, 15%), SDG 15 (Life on Land, 12%), and SDGs 8 and 9 (Economic Growth and Infrastructure, 8%). The proposed integrated modeling framework supports enhanced water security through optimized resource planning, reinforces climate resilience by strengthening adaptive capacity, promotes agricultural sustainability in irrigation-reliant regions, safeguards fragile mountain ecosystems under accelerating glacier retreat, informs the development of climate-resilient agricultural sustainability in irrigation-reliant regions, and informs the development of climate-resilient infrastructure. Collectively, these findings highlight the urgent necessity for adaptive water management policies to address climate-induced hydrological uncertainty in stressed transboundary river basins and offer a transferable framework for achieving water-related SDGs in climate-sensitive regions worldwide. Full article

The international wheat trade serves as a vital pathway for balancing the global food supply and demand while facilitating the cross-regional allocation of cropland resources. Based on the telecoupling framework, this study constructed a global virtual-cropland-flow network using wheat trade data from eight time points between 1995 and 2023. Social network analysis and quadratic assignment procedure regression were applied to examine its structural evolution and driving factors. The findings reveal that (1) while growing in connectivity, the virtual cropland network exhibits structural vulnerability and evolutionary complexity. (2) The network demonstrated a clear telecoupled structure, with the sending system shifting from U.S.–Canada dominance towards multipolarity, and the receiving system centered in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with China at its core. The United States and France are major spillover systems. (3) Economic development and foreign demand significantly promote the establishment and intensification of trade relationships between countries. Geographical distance has a dual effect: it strongly negatively influences trade initiation but can be overcome by high complementarity between countries during trade deepening. (4) International wheat trade contributes to global cropland savings but also introduces systemic risks and environmental spillovers in some countries. The results provide theoretical support for building sustainable food trade and agricultural resource governance systems and offer important insights for advancing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), sustainable land systems, and the optimization of global land governance. Full article

Organic pig farming in Europe is endorsed as a promising route to more sustainable livestock production, but its ultimate contribution to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a contested matter. This study takes a critical perspective on the potential of organic pig farming to contribute to SDGs that may include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Organic farming systems delivered better animal welfare outcomes and positive benefits for biodiversity, soil health, and rural employment. Continued improvements in sourcing feed, greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product, animal health, and market could improve their contributions to agricultural sustainability. This study concludes that organic pig farming does not represent a guarantee of sustainable livestock production, but it could represent credible sources of sustainable livestock innovation if sufficient policy, practice, cost accounting, and sustainable metrics are organized together to support organic systems. Organic pig farming focused on innovation and policy support can make it a role model for the transition of European livestock sector towards the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Sustainability in the agri-food sector has become a cornerstone of global efforts to combat climate change, ensure food security through climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen economic resilience. Sustainability reporting within agri-food systems has gained increasing regulatory significance with the introduction of mandatory frameworks such as the Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRSs). This article searches for the sustainability reports of agri-business firms listed in BIST in Turkey. Although TSRS reporting is not yet mandatory for the agribusiness sector, this study examines the first TSRS-aligned sustainability reports published by eight agri-food companies, excluding the retail sector. The analysis assesses how effectively these reports address sector-specific environmental and social challenges defined in the GRI 13 Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing Sector Standard and their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a structured content analysis approach, disclosure patterns were examined at both thematic and company levels. The findings indicate that TSRS-aligned reports place strong emphasis on environmental and climate-related disclosures, particularly emissions, climate adaptation and resilience, water management, and waste. In contrast, agro-ecological and land-based impacts—such as soil health, pesticide use, and ecosystem conversion—are weakly addressed. Economic disclosures are predominantly framed around climate-related financial risks and supply chain traceability, while social reporting focuses mainly on occupational health and safety, employment practices, and food safety, with limited attention to labor and equity issues across the broader value chain. Company-level results reveal marked heterogeneity, with internationally active firms demonstrating deeper alignment with GRI 13 requirements. From an SDG alignment perspective, high levels of coverage are observed across all companies for SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By contrast, SDGs critical to agro-ecological integrity and social equity—namely SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—are weakly represented or entirely absent. Overall, the results suggest that while TSRS-aligned reporting enhances transparency in climate-related domains, it achieves only selective alignment with the SDG agenda. This underscores the need for a stronger integration of sector-specific sustainability priorities into mandatory sustainability reporting frameworks. Full article