Search Results (1,409)

Signage systems are an integral part of modern urban environments, and they influence both city aesthetics and information flow. But their growing use also adds to the embodied carbon footprint of urban infrastructure, a factor that is often overlooked in sustainable city planning. The present study investigates the environmental impact of signage within the context of urban development and climate-responsive design using two Australian case studies, including one installed at a national bank. The assessment is limited to the cradle-to-site (A1–A4) stages, focusing on material production and transportation impacts only. In each case study, one installed signage unit is used as the functional unit, with the results scaled to a nationwide-deployment scenario in Case Study 2. The results show that aluminium and steel dominate signage materials in both mass and embodied carbon. The study also proposes several mitigation strategies, including the use of low-carbon aluminium, higher-grade steel, and design optimization methods. A quantitative analysis also demonstrates the potential reductions in embodied carbon, ranging from 18% to 80.3%, with low-carbon material substitution achieving up to an 83.4% reduction in one case study. The findings also highlight that targeted material and design choices in the signage sector can significantly advance urban sustainability goals. Full article

In this scientific article, a quantitative assessment is carried out of the influence of the ERTMS modernisation factor on the practical efficiency of operation and resilience of the Belgian railway lines 50A/51A with the application of methodological triangulation in the MATLAB R2025a Update 1 (25.1.0.2973910) software environment (discrete-event modelling, Petri nets, Markov reliability modelling, and correlation analysis). The modelling reveals that the scenario with an expanded level of automation increases the capacity from 18.3 to 26.0 trains over 2 h (+42.1%) and reduces the average waiting time from 1.53 min (baseline level) to 0.21 min—virtually the theoretical lower bound of zero under favourable conditions. The results of the block-occupancy analysis by means of Petri nets show that a more dynamic distribution of blocks provides higher capacity, and Markov chains reflect the reduction of the impact of control centre unavailability in developing communications and virtualisations. Spearman correlation analysis additionally shows coordinated improvement of the metrics of safety, digital protection, resilience, and performance. Relying on the modelling results, a phased roadmap is proposed, combining technical improvements (development of communication systems, readiness for automation, comparable management of rolling stock movement) with compliance with regulatory requirements and the goals of sustainable development, related to SDGs 9, 11, and 13. Full article

Topography plays a crucial role in shaping local urban microclimates and can drive the formation of cold-air pools in valley bottoms. This study examines the Eiras Valley (Coimbra, Portugal), a rapidly growing peri-urban area, to identify the conditions under which cold-air pools form and to characterize their spatial and vertical dynamics. Field measurements were carried out using Tinytag Plus 2 data loggers at the surface (≈1.5 m above ground) and mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for vertical profiles, complemented by high-resolution thermal mapping through Empirical Bayesian Kriging. The results show that a nocturnal cold-air pool develops within the valley under clear, anticyclonic winter conditions, persisting into the early morning hours and dissipating after sunrise due to solar heating. In contrast, under overcast or summer conditions, no cold-air pooling was observed. The temperature inversion capping the cold-air pool was found at approximately 275 m altitude, inhibiting vertical mixing and trapping pollutants near the ground. These findings underscore the importance of topoclimatology in urban and regional planning, with implications for thermal comfort, air quality, and public health. The study contributes to urban climate research by highlighting how local topography and seasonal atmospheric stability govern cold-air pool formation in valley environments, supporting the development of mitigation strategies aligned with urban sustainability goals. Full article

Formaldehyde-based adhesives pose health and environmental risks that hinder sustainable development of the wood-based panel industry. To address the issue that “formaldehyde emissions endanger human health and ecological safety, constraining industry sustainability,” this study aims to promote the development and application of formaldehyde-free biomass-based adhesives. Centering on technological feasibility, policy compatibility, and governance effectiveness, this research adopts a multi-dimensional systems analysis method to systematically review global progress in research and industrial application of biomass-based formaldehyde-free adhesives. The results indicate the following: (1) biomass adhesives exhibit substantial potential in mechanical performance and ecological benefits; (2) their large-scale application faces obstacles including cost, performance stability, and insufficient policy coordination; and (3) building an integrated technology–policy–governance synergy framework is the key pathway to industrialization. This study provides scientific guidance for scaling up biomass adhesives and achieving ecological civilization goals. Full article

Understanding how inner development capacities are embodied at biological levels remains an underexplored dimension of planetary health research. The aim of this viewpoint is to provide transdisciplinary integration across neuroscience, cell biology, education, and social systems toward addressing planetary health challenges. Despite growing recognition of the Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework as complementary to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the biophysical dynamics underlying personal and collective transformation remain largely unexplored. This viewpoint presents key molecular pathways that may underpin the Embodied Neuroplastic Resilience Model (ENRM) via calcium signaling and hyaluronan (the CHA axis). This viewpoint explores educational and therapeutic implications while simultaneously illuminating how socioeconomic inequalities constrain access to neuroplasticity-supporting practices. Four key conclusions emerge: (1) The CHA axis provides a compelling mechanistic framework for understanding how bodily experiences can reshape neural circuits through calcium signaling and hyaluronic acid matrix dynamics; (2) Mapping molecular mechanisms to complex human inner development capacities remains provisional, requiring further interdisciplinary investigation; (3) Socioeconomic inequality creates structural barriers to neuroplasticity and inner development, necessitating an integrated approach that connects mechanistic understanding with equitable access to transformative practices; (4) Enhanced understanding of embodied neuroplasticity must serve compassion and systemic transformation, moving beyond individual optimization toward collective well-being. By bridging neuroscience and sustainability frameworks, this viewpoint calls for a nuanced understanding of inner development that transcends individual optimization and emphasizes collective transformation. Full article

Water scarcity in arid/semi-arid regions restricts agricultural sustainability systems and hinders the achievement of regional sustainable development goals, especially in northwest China’s extremely arid areas, where acute water supply–demand conflicts and inefficient traditional practices intensify competition for water between agricultural and ecological sectors. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of an intelligent automatic irrigation system in mitigating water scarcity pressures and enhancing agricultural sustainability in the Shule River Basin of northwestern China, a region where traditional irrigation methods not only yield suboptimal crop outputs but also undermine long-term water resource sustainability. A smart irrigation module, integrating “sensing–decision–execution” processes, was embedded within a digital twin platform to enable precise, resource-efficient water management that aligns with sustainable development principles. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), the most popular cash crop in the area, was used as the test crop, with three soil moisture-based irrigation levels compared against traditional farmer practices. Key indicators including leaf area index (LAI), dry biomass, grain yield, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were systematically evaluated. The results showed that (1) LAI increased from the seedling to flowering stage, with smart irrigation treatments significantly outperforming farmer practices in both crop growth and water-saving effects, laying a foundation for sustainable yield improvement; (2) total dry biomass at maturity was positively correlated with irrigation amount but smart irrigation optimized the allocation of water resources to avoid waste, balancing productivity and sustainability; (3) grain yield peaked within 70–89% field capacity (fc), with further increases leading to diminishing returns and unnecessary water consumption that impairs sustainable water use; (4) IWUE followed a parabolic trend, reaching its maximum under the same optimal irrigation range, indicating that smart irrigation can maximize water productivity while preserving water resources for ecological and future agricultural needs. The digital twin-driven smart irrigation system enhances both crop yield and water productivity in arid regions, providing a scalable model for precision water management in water-stressed agricultural zones. The results provide a key empirical basis and technical approach for sustainably using irrigation water, optimizing water–energy–food–ecology synergy, and advancing sustainable agriculture in arid regions of Northwest China, which is crucial for achieving regional sustainable development objectives amid worsening water scarcity. Full article

Green innovation efficiency (GIE) serves as a key indicator of urban development toward “dual carbon” goals and sustainable growth. However, systematic evidence remains scarce regarding the impact of the digital-real economy integration (DRI) in urban green innovation efficiency (UGIE). Based on the dual institutional perspectives of government environmental regulation (ER) and intellectual property protection (IPP), this paper proposes an integrated theoretical framework that incorporates integration level, institutional environment, and green innovation. Leveraging panel data from 281 prefecture-level and higher-administered cities in China spanning 2013 to 2023, this paper explores the underlying mechanism and the observed threshold effect of DRI on UGIE. The primary findings are summarized below: (1) DRI promotes UGIE, which is mediated significantly through the institutional roles of ER and IPP. (2) The influence of DRI on GIE is characterized by a threshold effect at a value of 0.9657. Beyond this threshold, the marginal effect rises from 0.47463 to 0.52555, thereby providing evidence for the positive feedback hypothesis between integration level and institutional response. (3) A more significant effect of DRI on GIE could be observed in non-resource-based cities, such as the central cities, southern cities. This paper expands the interdisciplinary research on digital economy and urban sustainability, providing micro-level evidence for the tailored development of digital–green institutional combinations. 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

Education systems worldwide face a growing pressure to align with Sustainable Development Goal 4.7 by embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into school life. This study examines how primary school headteachers in Cyprus interpret and enact sustainable leadership to advance ESD within a small, highly centralised system. Drawing on sustainable and distributed leadership theories and a whole-school lens, the study employed semi-structured interviews with ten headteachers from diverse regions (urban, rural, and semi-rural). Reflective thematic analysis identified four patterns: (1) leaders sought a strategic integration of ESD into planning and culture; (2) empowerment and participation were pursued through teacher working groups, student eco-councils, and community partnerships; (3) systemic constraints, a rigid curriculum, limited autonomy, and scarce professional development produced a policy–practice gap; and (4) leaders relied on adaptive, collaborative micro-practices to sustain momentum. The findings suggest that, in Cyprus, sustainable leadership operates as a values-based stewardship enacted through ‘quiet activism’. The study highlights implications for leadership development, such as reflexivity, systems thinking, and ethical reasoning, as well as policy design, such as time, autonomy, and structured support for whole-school ESD, in small-state contexts. Full article

The misallocation of renewable (RE) and non-renewable energy (NRE) resources may lead to the inefficiency of economic development, thereby hindering the achievement of sustainable development goals. Basing data on 282 Chinese cities during 2005–2021, a relative factor price distortion coefficient was employed to estimate the degree and direction of resource misallocation (RM) for RE, NRE, capital, and labor at both the aggregate city level and across four disaggregated city categories. Output gaps and efficiency losses are further quantified by incorporating RM analysis into the economic growth accounting framework, revealing significant heterogeneity in RM across cities. Findings show that (1) RE and labor misallocation exceed those of NRE and capital at the city level. RE misallocation is dominant in energy misallocation. There exists an underallocation of RE, NRE, and labor, while capital is overallocated. (2) Renewable energy input and output (RE-IO) cities exhibit the highest overall RM (32.1%), whereas renewable energy input (RE-Input) cities possess the lowest ones (21.2%). Four city types demonstrate an underallocation of RE and an overallocation of capital. (3) Both output gaps and efficiency losses are on the rise. Output changes sources are transferred from the variations in factor inputs to those in total factor productivity (TFP). The contribution from the RM changes is limited. The results provide a reference for reducing RM and achieving energy transition. 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

The growing pressure on industrial organizations to align digital transformation with sustainability objectives has intensified the need to systematically understand the role of emerging digital technologies in sustainable industrial development. The accelerated digitalization of industrial ecosystems has positioned the Internet of Things (IoT) as a critical enabler of corporate sustainability within Industry 4.0. However, evidence on how IoT contributes to environmental, social, and economic performance remains fragmented. This study conducts a systematic literature review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines to consolidate the scientific advances linking IoT with sustainable corporate management. The search covered 2009–2025 and included publications indexed in Scopus, EBSCO Essential, and MDPI, identifying 65 empirical and conceptual studies that met the inclusion criteria. Bibliometric analyses—such as keyword co-occurrence mapping and temporal heatmaps—were performed using VOSviewer v. 2023 to detect dominant research clusters and emerging thematic trajectories. Results reveal four domains in which IoT significantly influences sustainability: (1) resource-efficient operations enabled by real-time sensing and predictive analytics; (2) energy optimization and green digital transformation initiatives; (3) circular-economy practices supported by data-driven decision-making; and (4) the integration of IoT with Green Human Resource Management to strengthen environmentally responsible organizational cultures. Despite these advances, gaps persist related to Latin American contexts, theoretical integration, and longitudinal assessment. This study proposes a conceptual model illustrating how IoT-enabled technologies enhance corporate sustainability and offers strategic insights for aligning Industry 4.0 transformations with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 7, 9, and 12. Full article

The successful attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) necessitates robust monitoring frameworks capable of tracking progress toward tangible outcomes while capturing dynamic sustainability trajectories. However, existing SDG evaluation methods suffer from three critical limitations: (1) misalignment between global targets and national priorities, which undermines contextual relevance; (2) fragmented assessments that neglect holistic integration of social, economic, and ecological dimensions, thereby obscuring systemic interdependencies; and (3) insufficient longitudinal analysis, which restricts insights into temporal patterns of sustainable development and hinders adaptive policymaking. To address these gaps, we employed China’s 31 provinces as a case study and constructed an SDG indicator framework comprising 178 metrics—harmonizing global SDG benchmarks with China’s national development priorities. Using official statistics and open-source data spanning 2006–2021, we evaluate longitudinal SDG scores for all 17 goals (SDGs 1–17). Additionally, we developed a composite SDG index that considers the coupling coordination degree of the social–economic–ecological system and evaluated the index value under different economic region settings. Finally, we developed a two-threshold model to analyze the dynamic evolution of SDG conditions, incorporating temporal sustainability (long-term development resilience) and action urgency (short-term policy intervention needs) as dual evaluation dimensions. This model was applied to conduct a longitudinal analysis (2006–2021) across all 31 Chinese provinces, enabling a granular assessment of regional SDG trajectories while capturing both systemic trends and acute challenges over time. The results indicate that China’s social SDG performance improved substantially over the 2006–2021 period, achieving a cumulative increase of 126.53%, whereas progress in ecological SDGs was comparatively modest, with a cumulative growth of only 23.93%. Over the same period, the average composite SDG score across China’s 31 provinces increased markedly from 0.502 to 0.714, reflecting a strengthened systemic alignment between regional development trajectories and national sustainability objectives. Further analysis shows that all provinces attained a status of “temporal sustainability with low action urgency” throughout the study period, highlighting China’s overall progress in sustainable development. Nevertheless, pronounced regional disparities persist: eastern provinces developed earlier and have consistently maintained leading positions; central and northeastern regions exhibit broadly comparable development levels; and western regions, despite severe early-stage lagging, have demonstrated accelerated growth in later years. Our study holds substantial significance by integrating multi-dimensional indicators—spanning ecological, economic, and social dimensions—to deliver a holistic, longitudinal perspective on sustainable development. Full article

The natural gas sector, as a pivotal transition fuel, is fundamentally constrained by the “Energy Trilemma”—the intertwined and often competing goals of energy security, affordability, and sustainability. Current research predominantly focuses on the demand side, leaving a significant gap in understanding the synergistic dynamics within production regions, which are critical to resolving this trilemma at its source. To address this gap, this study constructs a “Safety–Economy–Green” (S-E-G) evaluation framework aligned with the trilemma’s dimensions. Utilizing panel data (2011–2021) from four major Chinese natural gas production regions (Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, and Shanxi). By integrating the Entropy Weight Method, a Coupling Coordination Model, and Kernel Density Estimation, it delineates the system’s synergistic dynamics from both temporal and regional perspectives. The key findings are as follows: (1) Significant disparities and polarization are observed in the S and G dimensions, while the E dimension shows a narrowing gap, with its peak height increasing by 177.8% and bandwidth shrinking by 64.2%. G has emerged as a constraint on overall system coupling coordination. The persistently high coupling degree—rising from 0.87 in 2011 to 0.97 in 2021 while consistently exceeding the coordination degree, which increased from 0.45 to 0.62—underscores the continued need for improvement in synergistic development. (2) The coupling coordination degree of the S-E-G system underwent a three-stage evolution: rapid improvement (2011–2013, from 0.36 to 0.58 at 7.3% annually), fluctuating adjustment (2014–2017, between 0.58 and 0.66), and finally high-level stability (2018–2021, stabilizing at 0.76–0.80). (3) Obvious regional differentiation exists: Sichuan achieved a moderate level of 0.76 by 2021, Shaanxi maintained primary coupling coordination (0.6–0.7), while Chongqing and Shanxi remained marginal, fluctuating between 0.4 and 0.6. Enhancing subsystem coordination and implementing differentiated pathways are therefore essential for these regions’ sustainable development. The study suggests promoting the sustainable development of natural gas production regions by enhancing subsystem coordination and exploring differentiated pathways, thereby providing practical guidance for the energy transition of resource-based regions. Full article

Grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), specifically addressing the urgent need to increase relevant skills for decent work (Target 4.4) while ensuring inclusive access and quality (Targets 4.3, 4.5, 4.c), this study develops a province-level indicator system for the “talent chain” and “industry chain” and integrates entropy-weighted composite evaluation, a coupling coordination model, correlation tests, and mismatch typology classification to systematically assess the alignment between higher education talent formation and industrial demand across 31 Chinese provinces during 2000–2022. The analysis aims to characterize China’s phase-specific progress in SDG4-consistent development at the education–industry interface and to provide a theoretical and empirical basis for improving graduate job matching. The results show that (1) overall talent–industry matching improved steadily from 2000 to 2022, yet pronounced regional disparities persist, with eastern provinces generally outperforming central and western regions; (2) educational quality and structural inputs—such as faculty capacity, per-student expenditure, and the composition of human capital—are the primary drivers of talent-chain performance, whereas expansion-oriented indicators exhibit limited marginal contributions, implying that sustainable graduate job matching hinges more on quality upgrading and supply-structure optimization than on quantitative expansion alone; (3) industry-chain advancement is jointly driven by industrial scale, structural upgrading, and employment absorptive capacity, with the tertiary sector playing a particularly prominent role in shaping demand for higher-skilled labor; and (4) a divergence in driving mechanisms—quality- and structure-oriented on the education side versus scale- and structure-oriented on the industry side—combined with regional heterogeneity produces stage-specific mismatch typologies, suggesting remaining scope for structural alignment between higher education systems and industrial upgrading. Overall, strengthening regional coordination, integration, quality, and upgrading drives synergistic development, advancing SDG 4 targets by validating that quality-driven education reform is the key lever for sustainable employment in China. Full article