Search Results (52)

As sustainability becomes central to tourism, tourists are no longer passive consumers but active stakeholders who influence organizational behavior. This study investigates how green consumer behavior (GCB) shapes expectations for employee green competencies and organizational sustainability strategy (OSS). Data were collected through a structured survey of 326 domestic tourists in Albania. Green skills expectation (GSE) was modeled as a latent construct derived from two observed variables: green loyalty and brand image, and willingness to support sustainability. Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analysis (EFA), K-means clustering and structural equation modeling (SEM). GCB significantly predicted both OSS and GSE, confirming that green tourists influence how organizations structure and communicate their sustainability practices. Cluster analysis identified two consumer profiles: committed eco-tourists and green-adaptive tourists. This study advances current understanding of how tourists act as external agents of internal organizational change. It extends the theoretical discourse on green marketing and sustainable workforce development by positioning tourist expectations as a driver of human resource transformation. The findings offer meaningful implications for tourism operators, educators and policymakers seeking to align employee training and service delivery with the demands of sustainability-oriented travelers. In this way, the study bridges the gap between consumer behavior and workforce development, contributing to a more integrated approach to sustainable tourism. Full article

In the contemporary structure of political economy, one of the leading actors is Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Some of these organisations, to promote their goals, often engage in public disputes with enterprises that have publicly traded shares on the stock market. Consequently, they serve as channels for negative information relevant to these enterprises that falls within their discourse. In this paper, we examine the impact on the share price volatility of these enterprises due to the public debate initiated by an NGO aiming to change the enterprise’s behaviour on a particular matter (e.g., using more eco-friendly materials). Data from Greenpeace’s Detox Campaign are used to examine its influence on several enterprises. Using GARCH, OLS, and Difference-in-Differences models, we find that volatility increased significantly during the campaign for firms like Burberry (13.71%), Adidas (5.40%), and VFC Group (3.96%). After companies complied, volatility declined, notably in Burberry (−16.84%), Marks & Spencer (−3.24%), and VFC Group (−4.88%). These results highlight how NGO activism can heighten investor uncertainty in the short term but stabilise markets once companies respond, offering key insights for policymakers on the financial impact of civil Society’s engagement. Full article

Today, there is an ongoing discourse on the notion of carbon farming on an international scale. The underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon are numerous. Firstly, the degradation of intensively farmed soils is increasing, and secondly, there is a clear need to restore their biodiversity. A multitude of pollutants stemming from agricultural production have incited the implementation of targeted measures, notably by the European Commission. Consequently, the adoption of the European Green Deal in Poland has prompted the agricultural sector to implement a series of modifications to its practices, with the objective of enhancing soil cultivation and animal husbandry methods. In response to these changes, the introduction of carbon farming practices is being proposed. These practices, which are to be implemented in Polish agriculture with the support of EU subsidies, are intended to mitigate the effects of climate change. This prompts further inquiry into the potential evolution of carbon farming practices and the extent of farmer interest in them. According to the available data, in Poland, 56% of the total agricultural area was covered by payments under the carbon farming eco-scheme. However, support was accessed by barely 31% of farms with an area of more than 1 ha. In turn, from a regional perspective, data analysis reveals significant regional differences in the use of support. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the structural, environmental, and production reasons behind differences in the use of the “Carbon farming and nutrient management“ eco-scheme across the Polish territory. The headline result is that participation is strongly associated with farm structure, moderately with production performance, and only weakly with environmental status. Full article

In the digital era, online search patterns provide a practical way to track changes in the public interest in sustainability. This study analyzes monthly Google Trends data in the United States (January 2019–December 2024) for five keywords: two institutional (“ESG”, “carbon neutral”), and three consumer-oriented (“eco friendly”, “zero waste”, and “plastic free”). Drawing on agenda-setting theory and the diffusion-of-innovations framework, we test the directional links between institutional and consumer attention. The methods include Granger causality tests, impulse response functions, and cross-correlation analysis. The findings reveal a consistent lead–lag structure in which institutional terms precede consumer-oriented searches, but the timing and persistence of influence vary across concepts. A broad discourse such as ESG produces slower, yet more sustained, effects, whereas action-oriented concepts like carbon neutrality generate quicker but shorter-lived responses. Seasonal analysis also shows recurring peaks in consumer interest around events such as Earth Day and Plastic-Free July, underscoring the cyclical nature of attention to sustainability. By integrating communication theory with multi-year digital trace data, this study provides evidence of how institutional messaging diffuses into consumer behavior, while highlighting the roles of timing and message framing. The results contribute to sustainability communication research and offer practical insights for policymakers, NGOs, and marketers relevant to aligning campaigns with evolving public attention. Full article

This article offers a critical analysis of two ‘replicas’ of monuments destroyed by ISIL in 2015: the Institute for Digital Archaeology’s Arch of Palmyra (2016) and the lamassu from Nimrud, exhibited in the Rinascere dalle Distruzioni exhibition (2016). Drawing on Jacques Derrida’s formulation of hauntology and Umberto Eco’s theory of forgery, this study examines the ontological, ethical, and ideological stakes of digitally mediated replication. Rather than treating digital and physical ‘copies’ as straightforward reproductions of ancient ‘originals’, the essay reframes them as specters: material re-appearances haunted by loss, technological mediation, and political discourses. Through a close analysis of production methods, rhetorical framings, media coverage, and public reception, it argues that presenting such ‘replicas’ as faithful restorations or acts of cultural resurrection collapses a hauntological relationship into a false ontology. The article thus shows how, by concealing the intermediary, spectral role of digital modeling, such framings enable the symbolic use of these ‘replicas’ as instruments of Western technological triumphalism and digital colonialism. This research calls for a critical approach that recognizes the ontological peculiarities of such replicas, foregrounds their reliance on interpretive rather than purely mechanical processes, and acknowledges the ideological weight they carry. Full article

This paper analyzes the Hindu concept of sevā—selfless service—as a theo-ethical practice that reconfigures the relationship between religion and economy, offering a snapshot of an Indian perspective on the convergence between postsecularism and postcapitalist discourses. Rather than being reducible to acts of charity, sevā integrates spiritual, ethical, and social dimensions that challenge the neoliberal emphasis on individual self-interest and material accumulation. Rooted in the pursuit of liberation and relational well-being, sevā frames economic and moral agency in terms of embeddedness, reciprocity, and care. To illustrate sevā’s unique attributes, the paper engages with two case studies. The first explores Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, where sevā is articulated through a non-anthropocentric ethic of nonviolence (ahiṃsā), obliging the reconstruction of eco-economic mechanisms and environmental responsibility. The second examines contemporary guru-bhakti communities in Delhi’s urban peripheries, where sevā functions as spiritual discipline (sādhana), a means for communal uplifting, and the expression of kalyāṇ—holistic well-being that transcends individual boundaries. In both contexts, sevā emerges as a practice that intervenes in and reshapes socio-economic life. By foregrounding sevā as a lived practice, the paper situates Indian religious traditions as a distinctive contribution to broader postcapitalist and postsecular debates. It argues that sevā offers an alternative model of personhood and ethical intentionality—one that contests dominant binaries of spiritual/material, secular/religious, and human/nature, and reimagines human flourishing through the lens of relational ontology and collective responsibility. Full article

Integrating sustainability into STEAM education is crucial for fostering environmental awareness among students. The Erasmus+ project Clean Environment–Clean School Climate with Creative Environmental Practices in School Education—Clean&Creative aims to develop environment-themed curriculum content that seamlessly integrates into ten different STEAM school disciplines. This initiative enhances multidisciplinary learning by connecting scientific knowledge with creative environmental practices, equipping students with the skills and mindset needed for sustainable problem solving. This paper presents the project’s key findings, highlighting innovative pedagogical approaches that merge sustainability with STEAM and humanities-based education. By incorporating hands-on, creative activities into school curricula, the project fosters active student engagement and a deeper understanding of environmental challenges. The results demonstrate how multidisciplinary strategies can bridge the gap between scientific principles and real-world sustainability issues, reinforcing the role of education in shaping eco-conscious citizens. Furthermore, the study discusses the challenges and opportunities in implementing these practices, providing insights into their long-term impact on students and educators. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainability education, offering practical solutions for integrating environmental themes into diverse educational contexts. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of creative, inter- and multidisciplinary methods in promoting sustainability within STEAM and humanistic education. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between climate change, urban greening, and health perceptions among university students within higher education. Grounded in environmental psychology and sustainability science, it explores how well-being is shaped by climate–health awareness, eco-anxiety, and perceived access to urban green spaces. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using structured questionnaires to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to climate change and sustainability. The findings indicate a high awareness of the health impacts of climate change, especially concerning mental well-being. Urban green spaces were recognized as positively influencing emotional resilience, physical activity, and environmental quality. However, despite this awareness, limited engagement in sustainability-oriented behaviors was identified, indicating an action gap. The study suggests the creation of a Climate Health Assessment Indicator to evaluate climate–health literacy and behavioral readiness among academic populations systematically. It also emphasizes integrating identity-based interventions into educational frameworks to support the transition from awareness to sustainable action. Positioned within the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), and SDG 13 (Climate Action)—this research contributes to the interdisciplinary discourse on integrating sustainability and human well-being in academic and urban contexts. Full article

This paper shows a case study on a novel community-based sustainability planning framework that balances environmental, social, cultural dimensions for a high-density urban setting. The case study presents a community-driven “Four-Zero” sustainability model—zero energy, zero water, zero food, and zero waste—as a foundation for environmental sustainability practices implemented in a high-density estate in Hong Kong, alongside community-led ecological and heritage initiatives that reinforce place-based resilience. Through integrated activities, such as community farming, aquaponics, organic waste composting, biodiversity monitoring, and heritage mapping, the residents co-produced knowledge and activated novel bottom–up planning schemes and fostered social cohesion while advancing environmental objectives. Notably, the discovery of rare species and historic Dairy Farm remnants catalyzed a community-led planning proposal for an eco-heritage park that stimulated policy dialogues on conservation. These collective efforts illustrate how circular resource systems and cultural and ecological conservation can be balanced with urban development needs in compact, high-density communities. This case offers policy insights for rethinking urban sustainability planning in dense city contexts, contributing to global discourses on urban political ecology by examining socio–nature entanglements in contested urban spaces, to environmental justice by foregrounding community agency in shaping ecological futures, and to commoning practices through shared stewardship of urban resources. Full article

Achieving environmental sustainability remains a critical challenge for governments worldwide, particularly within the G20 bloc, due to rapid urbanization, resource-intensive industrial activities, and the environmental pressures associated with globalization. Despite various efforts, ecological degradation continues to escalate, necessitating a deeper understanding of the factors influencing environmental sustainability. This study investigates the role of technological innovation (TLI), education (EDU), human capital (HMC), and natural resources (NTS) in shaping ecological sustainability, while also assessing the effects of globalization (GLN) and urbanization (URZ) on the ecological footprint (EFT) from 2000 to 2022. By employing the Driscoll and Kraay standard error (DKSE) method, the study provides robust empirical insights into these relationships. The findings reveal that TLI, EDU, and HMC significantly reduce EFT, supporting the notion that innovation and human capital development contribute to environmental sustainability. Conversely, NTS, GLN, and URZ exacerbate ecological degradation, underscoring the environmental costs of resource exploitation and urban expansion. These results remain consistent when validated through the CS-ARDL robustness test. Furthermore, the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test identifies reverse causality between NTS, EDU, and EFT, while unidirectional causality is confirmed for the remaining variables. The study’s findings highlight the necessity for policymakers to implement eco-friendly technological advancements, sustainable education frameworks, and responsible resource management strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable development and provide actionable recommendations for fostering long-term ecological balance in G20 nations. Full article

The circular economy (CE) has emerged as an innovative response to the challenges of economic growth and environmental protection. This study aims to establish a portrait of the circular economy within the wood forestry sector in Benin. The methodology includes field surveys through structured interviews in the southern and northern zones and a documentary analysis. Data were collected from direct and political stakeholders to assess their knowledge and practices. A discourse analysis, focusing on internal factors, was used to understand and analyze the motivations of local actors in the use of CE strategies. The results show that the most used strategies are maintenance and repair (52.38%), followed by donation and resale (18%). The motivations mentioned by the actors in the two zones are mainly economic (improving income and limiting expenses) and social (esthetic). However, if most of the actors do not perceive limits to these strategies, others highlight certain weaknesses, including the long process of transforming used goods (19.69%) and the loss of quality of recycled materials (15.44%). To address these weaknesses, alternative strategies, such as eco-design, optimization of operations, loan-exchange, and industrial ecology, are proposed. Full article

The Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) model presents a transformative framework for advancing sustainability in food festival tourism, particularly in Thailand. Food festivals serve as dynamic platforms for celebrating local culinary heritage while fostering environmental responsibility and economic resilience. This study examined the integration of the BCG model with critical success factors and community identity to assess its impact on sustainable food festival management. Employing a quantitative research approach and structural equation modeling, data were collected from 503 festival attendees to analyze key relationships among event management, community identity, and sustainability practices. The findings underscore the effectiveness of the BCG model in enhancing resource efficiency, minimizing waste, and promoting local sourcing, thus strengthening the sustainability and attractiveness of food festivals. Notably, while the role of community identity was found to be less significant than anticipated, this suggests evolving tourist preferences favoring sustainability and quality over traditional cultural attributes. These insights offer valuable implications for policymakers, event organizers, and stakeholders in designing eco-conscious, culturally enriching festivals that align with the global sustainability goals. This study contributes to the theoretical discourse on sustainable tourism and provides practical strategies to foster environmentally responsible and economically viable food festivals. Full article

Climate change has become a prominent global issue, demanding the attention of governments and populations due to convincing scientific evidence concerning its sources and effects. Even though a strong commitment to finding ways of reducing individual emissions is an important element of coping with climate change, initiatives to enhance public awareness and engage people in climate-friendly activities seem to be overlooked. Individuals’ reactions to climate change are shaped by their understanding of its causes, consequences, and implications, and this is heavily influenced by communications on the topic in public media. However, the discourses offered on climate change are problematic, leading to oversimplification and differing levels of comprehension. The widespread contentious debate over the causes and implications of climate change, alongside a scarcity of published research on communication about climate change in developing countries, suggests significant information gaps must be addressed. An analysis was performed on 397 articles from Vietnamese online newspapers, employing content analysis and framing to examine the communication of climate change to the public in Vietnam in the past two decades. The findings indicate an anthropocentric framing of climate change, which highlights institutional solutions, set up at a psychological distance from the public. Moreover, the pervasive propaganda advocating for eco-friendly solutions and methods may generate an optimistic perception that this issue can be resolved without altering individual habits. Full article

This research aims to investigate the dynamics of interaction and interdependence between winery architecture and the rural landscape, with a particular focus on the Tuscany region in Italy. The primary objective is to analyze a selection of wineries deemed iconic and exemplary for the topic, assessing their relationship with the surrounding territory and landscape. To this end, specifically designed analytical frameworks are employed, grounded in experimental methodologies and criteria well-established in the relevant scientific literature. This methodology integrates a wide range of qualitative and quantitative indicators from scientific literature, organizing them within various taxonomic frameworks. Through tailored analytical forms, the research examines how design choices impact the agrarian context, highlighting the pivotal role of winery architecture in strengthening territorial identity and fostering a model of sustainable tourism. This paper introduces an adaptable interpretive method applicable across contexts, suitable for professionals and decision-makers. The findings present a framework for evaluating landscape systems, demonstrating how passive and advanced strategies enhance eco-efficiency and landscape perception, and adding ethical, aesthetic, and functional value. Moreover, the research contributes to rural landscape discourse, highlighting winery architecture’s role in balancing sustainability, driving economic development, and preserving rural environments. Full article

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules capable of reducing the surface tension of water and forming emulsions between immiscible liquids. These versatile molecules find applications in different industrial sectors, standing out in environmental applications, such as the bioremediation agents of contaminated environments. Bioremediation is an emerging sustainable method of controlling the degradation of waste. The present study carried out a bibliometric analysis, reviewing all research published in the SCOPUS database up to 2023, focused on producing biosurfactants from sunflowers with applications in this sustainable method of waste degradation. Using sunflowers to produce biosurfactants proved an ecological, sustainable, and economical alternative to conventional substrates. The results showed that only the seed husks, the oil derived from the seed, and the sunflower stems were used to produce biosurfactants, emphasizing oil as the most used raw material, probably due to its rich linoleic acid content. The preliminary selection detected only 12 articles that addressed the subject under analysis. According to these studies, the tested biosurfactants showed high potential for application in sustainable environmental bioremediation processes and were able to decontaminate soil, water, and liquid effluents. The bibliometric analysis was performed with the VOSviewer software to evaluate the quality of the publications and, above all, to show a more comprehensive scenario of the subject based on the following bibliometric indicators: the most productive journals, publications by country, the most cited articles, the most recurrent keywords, and most productive institutions. These insights will undoubtedly help scientists to develop new and sustainable practices of waste degradation and contribute to bioremediation research using biosurfactants from sunflowers. By showcasing the environmental benefits and practicality of sunflower-derived biosurfactants, this study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable bioremediation, fostering innovative and eco-friendly waste management solutions. Full article