Search Results (5,660)

Global progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains critically off track, with current trends indicating that only 17% of targets will be met by the deadline. As sustainability transitions increasingly depend on regional and institutional capacity, understanding heterogeneous transition pathways and resilience across territorial contexts is essential. This study investigates whether observed divergence in SDG performance reflects temporary setbacks or persistent structural regimes characterised by distinct institutional and technological configurations. Using panel data from over 160 countries (2019–2024), we employ annual latent class analysis to identify hidden structures in SDG performance across 15 goals, introducing intertemporal volatility as a dimension of development dynamics. We complement this with ordered logistic regression to examine structural determinants of regime membership, including governance quality, digital infrastructure, health investment, and macroeconomic indicators. Our analysis identifies three temporally stable development regimes—lagging, transitional, and leading—with fewer than 15% of countries transitioning between classes over the observation period. ANOVA results reveal that internet access and government effectiveness exhibit the most substantial between-regime differences. Ordered logit models indicate that governance quality and digital connectivity are the strongest correlates of regime membership (government effectiveness: β = 0.943, p < 0.001; internet penetration: β = 0.049, p < 0.001), whereas short-term GDP growth exerts negligible influence (p > 0.10). These findings challenge assumptions of linear convergence in sustainable development and provide a data-driven framework for evaluating transition dynamics across diverse territorial contexts. The results suggest that achieving the SDGs requires that deep structural constraints be addressed—particularly digital divides and institutional quality—through regionally targeted policy design rather than relying solely on incremental adjustments or economic growth. The identified regimes provide a basis for place-based targeting by distinguishing contexts where governance and digital capacity constraints are binding. Full article

Residential photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems can reduce electricity consumption by supplying both electricity and heat; however, their performance depends on household composition and lifestyle-driven demand profiles. This study simulates a PV/T system for a detached house in Tokyo while accounting for occupant-behavior variability using Japanese time-use statistics from 2015 and 2020, which capture the pandemic-related increase in time spent at home in 2020. Both a PV/T system and a conventional PV system were evaluated for four representative household scenarios, reflecting changes in domestic hot water (DHW), space conditioning, and appliance electricity demand. In the 2020 dataset, the large-household case (Case C) showed the largest improvement in net electricity balance relative to the PV system, with an improvement of 1.8 GJ, while the elderly-couple case (Case D) achieved the highest overall thermal efficiency, with a DHW COP of 6.26 and a space-heating COP of 5.75. In the young-couple case (Case A), the CO₂ reduction increased from 169 kg in the 2015 dataset to 239 kg in the 2020 dataset, showing that lifestyle changes affected the energy-saving benefit. These findings indicate that lifestyle-dependent behavioral changes should be considered in PV/T performance assessment and system sizing. Full article

The complexity of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus demands a comprehensive framework for its implementation, particularly concerning place-based governance and sustainable transitions. In this work, the WEF Nexus is conceptualized through the lens of Socio-Technical Systems Transition Theory and its interconnections with geo-ecological system components, enabling its recognition as a place-based Socio-Technical–Ecological meta-System (STES). The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are introduced as landscape drivers of the WEF Nexus, as they acknowledge the crucial role of society, technology and ecological systems in its interconnected domains. A novel integrated methodology to develop the WEF Nexus as a STES transition is presented, encompassing literature review, qualitative analysis, conceptual mapping, and multi-stakeholder co-creation. This theoretical framework was empirically tested and improved across selected case studies on hydrological basins in Africa within the ONEPlanET Horizon Europe Project. Both leverageable subsystems and promising transitional innovation assets were identified. The transitional X-Curve assisted in the discussion in the empirical context of ONEPlanET to generalise the findings and the visual presentation of the identified pathways. The methodology that resulted is suitable for supporting a concrete exploration of systemic mapping, analysis, and planning towards a sustainable WEF Nexus in complex geographies, facilitated through multi-stakeholder engagement and co-creation. Full article

Education occupies an important place among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It plays a role in the process of spreading awareness of the concept—its directions, meaning, and goals. According to the idea of the SDG, it is to be universally available to the world’s communities, with the aim of bridging social inequalities, as well as increasing the capacity for responsible functioning and development. The authors of this study believe that knowledge about sustainable development is crucial for shaping social attitudes that determine the uninterrupted development of the world’s economies towards sustainability. In their opinion, it is essential to pay particular attention to ensuring sustainable competences in the education process, which is aimed at preparing staff to perform professional roles in the socio-economic sphere and to be competent in the field of sustainable development. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine the level of awareness of students from selected higher education schools in Poland in this area. The study was conducted on the basis of a diagnostic survey, and the analysis of the results was carried out using qualitative methods, as well as quantitative methods in an in-depth study (logistic regression, supported by PQStat software version 1.8.4.164. The research results indicated that the surveyed students’ knowledge of sustainable development is good, as confirmed by 91% of responses. A key factor in strengthening this knowledge is the educational process implemented as part of their studies (64% of responses). Events supporting the teaching process, such as conferences or meetings with experts, are particularly important for shaping this knowledge. This indicates a high level of student motivation to explore this knowledge and apply it to a model of social behavior, which is rated as responsible by 94% of respondents. In-depth research confirms the above. The odds ratio of 12.994 with a confidence interval of −95% CI: 1.894–+95% CI: 3.238 for the factor of scientific events in the process of supporting green education demonstrates the significance of the findings. Strengthening green education with thematic scientific events is, therefore, an attractive and anticipated form of gaining knowledge on the SDGs by students, and undertaking these events is a recommendation resulting from the presented research. These results are important for modeling sustainable education in terms of the development potential of human resources. Full article

This study addresses a critical gap in the operationalization of sustainability frameworks at the project level by developing and validating an empirically grounded measurement instrument for assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance in manufacturing industry projects. While the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) articulate sustainability aspirations at the national and global level, and ESG frameworks capture organizational-level sustainability performance, no validated instrument exists for measuring ESG integration at the project level where sustainability commitments are ultimately operationalized. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of sustainable project management, stakeholder theory, and the ESG governance literature, the authors developed a 30-item survey instrument capturing six conceptual dimensions of ESG-aligned project performance. Data were collected from 2231 project sponsors and decision-makers in North American goods manufacturing firms classified under NAICS codes 31–33, which collectively encompass the entire manufacturing sector in North America. Through a sequential analytical approach employing principal component analysis (PCA) for initial item reduction, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for dimensionality assessment, and structural equation modelling (SEM) for confirmatory validation, a parsimonious two-factor model emerged with excellent fit indices (CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.052, SRMR < 0.035). The first factor captures ESG planning activities undertaken during project initiation and planning phases, while the second factor represents ESG monitoring and controlling functions during project execution. The reduction from six theoretical dimensions to two empirical factors reflects lifecycle governance theory, where planning-phase governance and execution-phase control emerge as functionally distinct but correlated constructs. The validated instrument offers practical utility for project managers, organizational sustainability officers, and policy-makers seeking standardized benchmarks for ESG compliance at the operational project level. The validated instrument and complete survey are shared for replication and testing across different industries and countries. Full article

Sustainable energy systems (SESs) support intelligent modeling, automation, and governance that enable energy access, infrastructure innovation, and climate resilience. Despite their potential, their integration with large language models (LLMs) raises concerns regarding energy intensity, transparency, equity, and regulation. This study adopts a mixed-methods review combining a BERTopic-based thematic analysis and case-based synthesis to examine applications of LLMs in energy modeling, optimization, etc., and to assess their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These applications support SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by improving access to energy knowledge and decision support, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through intelligent and scalable digital infrastructure, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by climate-responsive planning and operational efficiency. The findings reveal that modular, agent-based LLM workflows enhance energy modeling and regulatory compliance. However, sustainability trade-offs necessitate responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance emphasizing transparency, ethical design, and inclusivity. This review informs policy and practice by suggesting that LLMs offer potential value for sustainable energy application deployment within responsible AI governance frameworks that emphasize ethical design, accountability, and equitable access. The study provides future research directions using the ADO (antecedents–decisions–outcomes) framework, emphasizing regulatory readiness, ethical design, and inclusive governance aligned with SDGs 7, 9, and 13, among others. Full article

Sustainable human resource management (HRM) has attracted growing attention as a new paradigm for enhancing organizational resilience. However, prior studies mainly examined the effects of individual practices, offering a limited explanation of how organizational resilience emerges as an integrated mechanism. To address this theoretical gap, we conceptualize sustainable HRM as an integral talent management process in which multiple practices operate interdependently and investigate the configurational mechanisms through which organizational resilience is generated in Japanese firms and discuss these from the perspective of socioformation. Based on six analytical dimensions derived from a tertiary literature review, we conducted a crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) using securities report data from 36 listed Japanese companies. The results revealed that organizational resilience is not achieved through a single best practice, but rather points to a new form of integrated human resource management aimed at sustainable value creation. From a socioformation perspective, employees are viewed not merely as productive inputs but as agents capable of continuous development through sustained investment in human potential. From this perspective, sustainable social development cannot be reduced to well-being or inclusion indicators alone but also encompasses ethical, collaborative, territorial, and interdisciplinary dimensions of transformation. The findings clarify the theoretical role of integral talent management in sustainable value creation and provide practical implications for human-centred management. Full article

This systematic review evaluates recent scientific and technological advances in water quality monitoring and pollution alarms for ports, based on records retrieved from seven databases following the PRISMA protocol. A total of 414 documents were screened, resulting in 141 articles (TRL 3) and 56 patents (TRL 4–5). Bibliometric, patentometric, and thematic analyses were conducted using Bibliometrix and ORBIT^®. Results show sustained growth in both academic and technological outputs, with a patent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 32%, compared with 13% for scientific publications, indicating accelerated translation from research to innovation. The conversion rate from scientific research to patenting increased from 14% (2010–2015) to 47% (2020–2023). Analysis of patent legal status reveals that 52% of patent families remain valid (48% granted; 4% pending), while 33% are lapsed, 13% revoked, and 2% expired, reflecting the dynamic and emerging character of the field. Technological ownership is highly concentrated, with China accounting for nearly all active patents, whereas scientific production is more geographically distributed. Thematic analysis identifies four main scientific clusters: environmental monitoring, chemical pollutants, seashore hazards, and eutrophication. The main technological domains of the patents are analysis of biological materials, control, and environmental technologies. Emerging areas of focus at TRL 3 and TRL 4–5 include microplastics, climate-change impacts, aquaculture risks, real-time sensing, IoT-enabled platforms, machine-learning analytics, autonomous monitoring systems, and bioindicator-based early-warning tools. This review provides a quantitative roadmap to support sustainable port operations, coastal ecosystem protection, and progress toward multiple synergistic United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly emerging as transformative technologies for sustainable healthcare logistics, particularly in remote and infrastructure-constrained regions. Despite growing implementation, the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) implications of these systems remain insufficiently synthesized in the literature. This study conducts a PRISMA-ScR-guided Systematic Review of 37 peer-reviewed studies selected from 333 records across six major scientific databases (2015–2026). The analysis reveals a sharp acceleration of research after 2021, with over 80% of publications produced between 2021 and 2024, indicating increasing global interest in AI-supported autonomous medical logistics. Evidence demonstrates that AI-enabled drones can substantially reduce delivery times; expand access to blood, vaccines, and essential medicines; and enhance emergency response capacity in rural and disaster-affected environments. From a sustainability perspective, AI-driven route optimization and autonomous navigation may reduce transport-related emissions, supporting climate-responsive healthcare supply chains. However, large-scale deployment remains constrained by regulatory fragmentation, cybersecurity risks, operational limitations, and challenges with social acceptance. This review proposes an ESG-oriented framework linking technological innovation, ethical governance, and equitable healthcare access while identifying key research gaps in lifecycle sustainability assessment, cost-effectiveness modeling, and real-world implementation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Illegal artisanal and small-scale mining (galamsey) and climate stress jointly degrade ecosystems and livelihoods in Ghana. This paper demonstrates how community-driven governance can realign incentives toward environmental stewardship and inclusive livelihoods. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design—quantitative difference-in-differences followed by qualitative case analysis and Participatory Action Research—we evaluate a structured program combining vocational training, financial literacy, environmental stewardship, and governance alignment. We operationalize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) outcomes via transparent composite indices and triangulate survey, administrative, and focus group evidence. The study identifies conditions under which alternative livelihoods reduce participation in illegal mining, strengthen women’s economic agency, and improve adoption of climate-smart practices. Implications include practical guidance for program design (community delivery, matched incentives, oversight), policy (local climate finance and accountability mechanisms), and research (scalable indicators and rigorous impact evaluation in resource-dependent communities). Full article

Universities play a strategic role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community engagement, particularly within medical education. This study examines medical students’ involvement in volunteering activities and evaluates how such engagement contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 499 students from the Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, using a structured questionnaire assessing perceived community impact, soft skills development, motivation for volunteering, sustainability orientation, and institutional support. Results indicate a high level of availability and prior participation in volunteering, reflecting strong internalization of public health and social responsibility values. While no significant differences were observed between volunteers and non-volunteers regarding perceived community impact (SDG 3), volunteer experience was significantly associated with higher levels of soft skills development and motivation (SDG 4). Strong positive correlations were identified between perceived community impact and motivational, educational, and sustainability related dimensions. The intensity of involvement was modestly associated with sustainability orientation and institutional support. Despite high motivation, students reported limited structured institutional frameworks for sustained engagement. The findings suggest that medical volunteering functions as a dual mechanism, strengthening professional competencies while reinforcing community health orientation. Institutionalizing structured outreach programs, particularly in underserved areas, could enhance long-term impact and align medical education more effectively with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Full article

As artificial intelligence (AI) drives significant challenges in education, understanding and addressing the training needs of in-service teachers has become a critical issue for ensuring a responsible and long-term technological transition. Framed within Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), teacher preparation in AI is increasingly recognized as a key mechanism for promoting ethical, equitable, and inclusive educational transformation. This study explores the influence of several key variables on intention and learning behaviors in relation to AI among a sample of 704 Spanish in-service teachers (71% women) from all compulsory educational levels. Using a validated questionnaire, this study assessed teachers’ anxiety towards AI, basic AI knowledge, personal relevance of AI, AI for social good, perceived self-efficacy, social pressure, and perceived usefulness of AI. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the direct and indirect relationships among these variables. The results indicate that the perceived usefulness of AI and self-efficacy directly and positively influence the behavioral intention to learn about AI. Furthermore, social pressure and basic AI knowledge indirectly influence this intention. In turn, both behavioral intention and social pressure significantly predicted AI learning behaviors. The model demonstrates strong explanatory power, accounting for 91% of the variance in the behavioral intention to learn about AI. These findings provide evidence to inform the design of teacher training initiatives and policies that promote responsible, ethical, and inclusive integration of AI in educational settings, contributing to sustainable development through education. Full article

Visual arts education (VAE) offers a promising pedagogical space for addressing sustainability challenges by engaging the cognitive, emotional, and ethical dimensions of learning. This study examines how engagement with contemporary visual arts and art-based pedagogical practices can foster ecological thinking, ecological literacy, and sustainability awareness among pre-service teachers. The research was conducted over one academic year (2022/2023) within two visual arts courses attended by a total of 69 second- and third-year students enrolled in a teacher education programme. Using a qualitative, interpretative research design, the study investigated how selected contemporary artworks addressing ecological themes were pedagogically contextualised and discussed, and how students engaged with these artworks through dialogue, reflection, and their own art-making processes. Data were collected from students’ written reflections, group discussions, and visual works, and analysed using an interpretative framework informed by visual hermeneutics and sustainability education discourse. The findings indicate that engagement with contemporary visual art can foster the development of ecological literacy by enabling students to integrate experiential, affective, reflective, and relational dimensions of sustainability into their understanding of environmental issues. In line with the objectives of SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), the study contributes to existing literature by demonstrating the pedagogical potential of visual arts education within teacher education and Education for Sustainable Development. Full article

Understanding the psychological underpinnings of environmental decision-making is crucial for addressing climate change. Responsible consumption and pro-environmental behaviors often involve complex trade-offs between individual and collective outcomes, as well as between immediate and long-term consequences. Drawing on the Behavior Change Wheel and its core COM-B model—a comprehensive behavioral framework integrating Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation—this study systematically examines how the COM-B model has been applied in research on responsible consumption and environmentally relevant behavior. Using a combined bibliometric and content-analytic review of peer-reviewed studies indexed in the Web of Science between 2018 and 2026, we explore the focus, the behavior targets, and the contextual factors in existing COM-B applications. The findings reveal a focus on individual-level awareness, such as dietary behavior and sustainable lifestyles, while meso- and macro-level applications addressing institutional and policy mechanisms remain limited. By identifying a structural misalignment between the COM-B framework and its empirical applications, we contribute to behavioral science by highlighting the need to integrate structural determinants with individual processes to better understand and address the psychological mechanisms underpinning responsible decisions using this theoretical breadth. In this context, we emphasize the importance of aligning behavioral research priorities with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12. Full article

The impact of the shift in energy systems on CO₂ emissions in BRICS nations plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and advancing sustainable development goals. This study examines how changes in the composition of the energy mix influence CO₂ emissions in BRICS countries, and further evaluates the relationships among energy transition, economic growth, urbanization, trade openness, population growth, and CO₂ emissions. Drawing on panel data from 1990 to 2023 and applying both linear and nonlinear PMG models, the study investigates how energy transition asymmetrically influences CO₂ emissions in both the short and long run. In the short run, the linear PMG results show that energy transition helps reduce CO₂ emissions in the UAE, South Africa, India, and Brazil, while it is associated with increased emissions in China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and Russia, while also decreasing on average for all in the long-run period based on the linear PMG. The impact of energy transition on CO₂ emissions in BRICS nations is complex and heterogeneous from the nonlinear PMG. In the short run, positive energy transition shocks reduce emissions in most countries (UAE, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa), but increase emissions in others (Indonesia, India, Iran, and Russia). Negative shocks also have mixed effects. However, in the long run, positive energy transition shocks lead to a 0.019% decrease in CO₂ emissions, while negative shocks increase emissions by 0.018%, indicating a nuanced relationship between energy transition and emissions. Urbanization, population growth, and economic expansion exhibit diverse effects on CO₂ emissions across the BRICS group. The results imply that policymakers should implement a comprehensive policy mix that elevates the role of energy transition, sustainable urban development, and green investment to curb CO₂ emissions. Tailored, country-specific measures are required to account for national circumstances and the asymmetric links between energy transition and emissions. The study underlines the importance of international collaboration in tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development, and stresses that customized strategies for each BRICS member are essential in order to achieve long-term environmental sustainability. Full article