Search Results (485)

Decarbonization of the Greek economy requires significant investments in clean technologies. This will boost demand for goods and services and will create multiplier effects on output value added and employment, though reliance on imported technologies might increase the trade deficit. This study employs input–output analysis to estimate the direct, indirect, and multiplier effects of green transition investments on Greek output, value added, employment, and imports across five-year intervals from 2025 to 2050. Two scenarios are considered: the former is based on the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), driven by a large-scale exploitation of RES and technologies promoting electrification of final demand, while the latter (developed in the context of the CLEVER project) prioritizes energy sufficiency and efficiency interventions to reduce final energy demand. In the NECP scenario, GDP increases by 3–10% (relative to 2023), and employment increases by 4–11%. The CLEVER scenario yields smaller direct effects—owing to lower investment levels—but larger induced impacts, since energy savings boost household disposable income. The consideration of three sub-scenarios adopting different levels of import-substitution rates in key manufacturing sectors exhibits pronounced divergence, indicating that targeted industrial policies can significantly amplify the domestic economic benefits of the green transition. Full article

The green renovation of existing residential buildings is a key way for the construction industry to achieve sustainable development and the dual carbon goals of China, which makes it urgent to make collaborative decisions among multiple stakeholders. However, because of divergent interests and risk perceptions among governments, energy service companies (ESCOs), and owners, the implementation of green renovation is hindered by numerous obstacles. In this study, we integrated prospect theory and evolutionary game theory by incorporating core prospect-theory parameters such as loss aversion and perceived value sensitivity, and developed a psychologically informed tripartite evolutionary game model. The objective was to provide a theoretical foundation and analytical framework for collaborative governance among stakeholders. Numerical simulations were conducted to validate the model’s effectiveness and explore how government regulation intensity, subsidy policies, market competition, and individual psychological factors influence the system’s evolutionary dynamics. The findings indicate that (1) government regulation and subsidy policies play central guiding roles in the early stages of green renovation, but the effectiveness has clear limitations; (2) ESCOs are most sensitive to policy incentives and market competition, and moderately increasing their risk costs can effectively deter opportunistic behavior associated with low-quality renovation; (3) owners’ willingness to participate is primarily influenced by expected returns and perceived renovation risks, while economic incentives alone have limited impact; and (4) the evolutionary outcomes are highly sensitive to parameters from prospect theory, The system’s evolutionary outcomes are highly sensitive to prospect theory parameters. High levels of loss aversion (λ) and loss sensitivity (β) tend to drive the system into a suboptimal equilibrium characterized by insufficient demand, while high gain sensitivity (α) serves as a key driving force for the system’s evolution toward the ideal equilibrium. This study offers theoretical support for optimizing green renovation policies for existing residential buildings in China and provides practical recommendations for improving market competition mechanisms, thereby promoting the healthy development of the green renovation market. Full article

Background/Objectives: Military Service Members (SMs) require optimal nutrition to support health, readiness, and job performance. However, they often fall short of meeting nutrition guidelines. This study aimed to determine the impact and feasibility of implementing the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) “Fueled to Fight^®” (F2F) nutrition program in non-appropriated fund (NAF) food venues. Objectives included evaluating changes in Military Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (mNEAT) scores, feasibility of implementing and maintaining F2F strategies, and influence on customer purchasing patterns. Methods: Researchers conducted a pre-post interventional study from January to December 2024 at three NAF food venues across two USMC bases. F2F strategies, including identifying items using a stoplight color coding system (Green = healthy, Yellow = less healthy, Red = least healthy), menu revisions, food placement, promotion, and marketing, were implemented. Data included mNEAT assessments, sales reports, and stakeholder focus groups. Generalized Estimating Equations models were used to analyze sales data. Results: mNEAT scores increased across all venues post-intervention. Availability and sales of Green items increased, while sales of Red items decreased in some venues. Profit increased at all three food venues. Focus groups revealed feasibility and provided insights for future interventions. Conclusions: F2F interventions in NAF food venues are feasible and can positively impact the food environment and customer purchasing patterns without negatively affecting profit. This study highlights the importance of integrating nutrition programs into all military food venues, not just government-funded dining facilities, to support the nutritional fitness and readiness of SMs. Full article

As an important direction in industrial evolution, the synergistic agglomeration of manufacturing and productive service industries has become a key path to promote the green transformation of the economy. Based on China’s provincial panel data, this study utilizes a variety of econometric methods to explore in depth the mechanisms, spatial effects and regional differences in the impact of the synergistic agglomeration of manufacturing and productive service industries on the green, low-carbon and recycling development of the economy. The empirical results show that the synergistic agglomeration of manufacturing and productive services not only directly promotes the green, low-carbon and recycling development of the economy, but also generates an indirect impact through the intermediary channel and exhibits significant spillover characteristics in the spatial dimension. This conclusion holds firm after a series of robustness tests. In addition, environmental regulations and the level of regional industrialization play a moderating role on the impact of industrial synergistic agglomeration and green, low-carbon and recycling development of the economy, and the effect of the role varies across regions and levels of economic development. This paper provides a decision-making reference for further optimizing the regional layout of China’s industries and enhancing the green, low-carbon and recycling development of the economy in each province. Full article

This study examines the safety and cost-effectiveness of implementing shoulder rumble strips (SRS) and road lighting on Saudi Arabian freeways, providing insights into their roles in fostering sustainable transport systems. By leveraging the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) framework, this research develops localized Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) for these interventions, ensuring evidence-based and context-specific evaluations. Data were collected for two periods—pre-pandemic (2017–2019) and post-pandemic (2021–2022). For each period, we obtained traffic crash records from the Saudi Highway Patrol database, traffic volume data from the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services’ automated count stations, and roadway characteristics and pavement-condition metrics from the National Road Safety Center. The findings reveal that SRS reduces fatal and injury run-off-road crashes by 52.7% (CMF = 0.473) with a benefit–cost ratio of 14.12, highlighting their high cost-effectiveness. Road lighting, focused on nighttime crash reduction, decreases such crashes by 24% (CMF = 0.760), with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.25, although the adoption of solar-powered lighting systems offers potential for greater sustainability gains and a higher benefit–cost ratio. These interventions align with global sustainability goals by enhancing road safety, reducing the socio-economic burden of crashes, and promoting the integration of green technologies. This study not only provides actionable insights for achieving KSA Vision 2030’s target of improved road safety but also demonstrates how engineering solutions can be harmonized with sustainability objectives to advance equitable, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation systems. Full article

In the context of green development, promoting the development of data elements is crucial for advancing the green and low-carbon transition and achieving China’s “dual-carbon” targets. This study quantitatively evaluates China’s data element policies to identify their strengths and weaknesses and to assess their alignment with green development objectives. In this study, we examine 15 representative data element policy texts, evaluating their quality by integrating the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model with the PMC-Index model. The LDA analysis identifies five core themes within the policy texts: the data element industry, data resource management, data element trading systems, service platform construction, and e-governments. The evaluation results show an average PMC-Index score of 6.03 for the 15 policies, with 9 rated as “Good” and 6 as “Acceptable”. This indicates that while the overall design of the current policy system is acceptable, there remains substantial room for improvement. Based on the average scores for the primary indicators, the policies perform relatively poorly in terms of green development assessment, policy timeliness, policy nature, and policy guarantee. Drawing from these findings, we propose recommendations to enhance China’s data element policies, offering insights for policymakers. Full article

Employees’ green voice behavior (GVB), as a specific category of extra-role green behavior, plays a vital role in promoting a firm’s sustainable development. However, its underlying mechanism has not been sufficiently explored. Drawing on social learning theory (SLT), this study proposes a research model that examines the indirect influence of environmentally-specific transformational leadership (ESTFL) on GVB via psychological empowerment (PE) and ecological reflexivity (ER) as well as the moderating role of person-supervisor value congruence (PSVC). To achieve the research goals, we conducted a two-wave online survey via the convenience sampling method to collect data from 530 employees and 106 direct supervisors working in the manufacturing, hospitality and service, energy production, construction, transportation, information and communication, and finance industries in China. Regression analyses and CFA based on SPSS and Mplus were employed to test and validate the research model. Our findings show that PE and ER both partially mediated the positive association between ESTFL and GVB. Moreover, PSVC moderated the mediating effects of ESTFL on GVB via PE and ER. This study advances empirical research regarding how leadership impacts GVB by revealing dual cognitive mechanisms and identifying its boundary condition. It also offers managerial implications for leaders and enterprises in China to promote employees’ GVB and improve sustainable management. Full article

Green roofs are increasingly being adopted as sustainable, nature-based solutions for managing urban stormwater, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and saving energy in buildings. However, the long-term performance of their individual components—particularly filter geotextiles—remains understudied, despite their critical role in maintaining system functionality. The filter layer, responsible for preventing clogging of the drainage layer with fine substrate particles, directly affects the hydrological performance and service life of green roofs. While most existing studies focus on the initial material properties, there is a clear gap in understanding how geotextile filters behave after prolonged exposure to real-world environmental conditions. This study addresses this gap by assessing the mechanical and structural integrity of geotextile filters after five years of use in both extensive and intensive green roof systems. By analyzing changes in surface morphology, microstructure, and porosity through tensile strength tests, digital imaging, and scanning electron microscopy, this research offers new insights into the long-term performance of geotextiles. Results showed significant retention of tensile strength, particularly in the machine direction (MD), and a 56% reduction in porosity, which may affect filtration efficiency. Although material degradation occurs, some geotextiles retain their structural integrity over time, highlighting their potential for long-term use in green infrastructure applications. This research emphasizes the importance of material selection, long-term monitoring, and standardized evaluation techniques to ensure the ecological and functional resilience of green roofs. Furthermore, the findings contribute to advancing knowledge on the durability and life-cycle performance of filter materials, promoting sustainability and longevity in urban green infrastructure. Full article

As critical zones for ecological conservation, national parks necessitate integrated management of transportation corridors (TCs) and ecosystem service value (ESV) to advance ecological civilisation. This study investigates the TC-ESV mutual construction mechanism in the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP). This research employs the TOPSIS method to measure the development level of TCs, applies the equivalent factor method to calculate the ESV, and uses a coupling coordination model and local spatial autocorrelation analysis to evaluate their interaction patterns. The results show that TC development in the GPNP has been increasing, accompanied by a significant rise in ESV. A coupling coordination relationship exists between TCs and ESV, with notable spatial differentiation. TCs not only increase the market ESV by reducing distribution costs and facilitating the outward flow of ESV, they also improve the accessibility of national parks, promote ecotourism and cultural services, facilitate the movement of people and the exchange of knowledge, and enhance the ability of local populations and migrants to realise the ESV in the long term. However, challenges persist, including ESV conversion difficulties and TC construction’s potential impacts on ESV realisation. Therefore, we propose optimised green transport corridors and differentiated ecological compensation mechanisms, and by analysing the interaction between them, the innovation of this paper is to provide an innovative framework for sustainable spatial governance of ESV conversion and TC development in national parks, enriching the interdisciplinary approach. Full article

Background/Objectives: How to best assist people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners to maximize quality of life and quality of living, through appropriate and effective non-pharmaceutical approaches, remains a focus of dementia societies and organizations worldwide. This scoping review explored the types, opportunities, benefits and challenges of outdoor-based care and support programs for community-dwelling PLWD and their care partners. Methods: The methodological framework proposed by Arksey & O’Malley (2005) and modified by Levac et al. (2010) was followed. Four research databases were searched from January 2000 to November 2024; 2817 articles were retrieved and 20 met inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction. Results: Program types included the following: nature-based, care farm, green care farm, and farm-based dementia care programs, representing more than half of the included articles; health walks; and outdoor horticulture/garden/gardening programs. The number of PLWD participants ranged from 4 to 136. The total number of care partner participants was 151 and the total number of service provider participants was 87. The essence of, and connections with, nature and the outdoors had notable relevance and value for PLWD. Reported benefits, assessed quantitatively and qualitatively, were numerous and those in the social domain were reported most often. Identified challenges and barriers were related to risks and safety and program development, and implementation and delivery. Conclusions: The noteworthy potential of outdoor-based care and support programs to promote and enhance the quality of life and quality of living of community-dwelling PLWD and their care partners was elucidated. As most PLWD prefer to, and do, continue to reside in their homes, including those with advancing symptoms, the findings have significant relevance and implications for real-world practice and policy. Future research addressing current gaps will strengthen this growing field of dementia research. Full article

Urban soils are subject to intense anthropogenic disturbance, often resulting in biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem functionality. However, rhizospheric microbial communities help maintain critical soil-ecosystem services, supporting urban soil resilience. This study evaluated the diversity of culturable bacteria associated with the rhizospheres of Pennisetum clandestinum and Pseudelephantopus spicatus in green areas of Medellín, Colombia, under contrasting levels of anthropic pressures. Rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils were sampled near automotive mechanic sites, and bacterial communities were assessed through plate counting and morphological characterization. Alpha, beta, and rarefaction diversity indices were applied to evaluate culturable morphotypes. P. clandestinum supported a more diverse and complex rhizospheric microbiome, particularly in non-exposed soils, while P. spicatus hosted less diverse communities under similar conditions. Diversity indices effectively distinguished microbial patterns, demonstrating the utility of culture-based methods for microbial community assessment. As a first step in microbial bioprospecting workflows, these methods allow for the rapid screening of culturable diversity and support decision-making for the selection of promising environments, plant species, and microbial isolates. This approach can inform urban soil threats, the promotion of beneficial plant–microbe interactions, and the identification of bioindicator species for soil health monitoring in a framework for the management of green areas. Full article

As a highly active mineral admixture, metakaolin is often used as an efficient performance-enhancing material for concrete, but its performance in long-term complex service environments still needs to be verified. This article presents a composite green concrete with a substitution rate of 30% for recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs) and iron tailings (IOTs) and a waste polypropylene fiber (WPF) content of 0.6%. Concrete with different mixing conditions of metakaolin was prepared, and its carbonization resistance was studied with macro- and micro-experimental methods. The results indicated that when the content of metakaolin was less than 10%, its mechanical and deformation properties gradually improved, resulting in a maximum increase of 70% in its cubic compressive strength. Overall, carbonization improved the corresponding mechanical properties. For example, when carbonized for 14 days, the compressive strength growth rate increased by nearly 30%, and the elastic modulus did not change significantly. Through microscopic testing, it could be seen that when the content of metakaolin reached 10%, an appropriate amount of metakaolin (10%) promoted the hydration of cement, with the least number of pores and the best compaction performance, resulting in the best overall performance. But when added excessively, the coupling effect of secondary hydration and carbonization reactions could lead to the emergence of new harmful pores in the matrix structure. In future engineering applications of metakaolin, it is recommended that its mixing ratio be less than 10% to achieve better concrete performance. Full article

Heat waves affect the health and quality of life of older adults, particularly in urban environments. However, there is limited understanding of how extreme temperatures influence their mobility. This research aims to understand the pedestrian mobility patterns of older adults during heat waves in Madrid, analyzing environmental and sociodemographic factors that condition such mobility. Geospatial data from the mobile phones of individuals aged 65 and older were analyzed, along with information on population, housing, urban density, green areas, and facilities during July 2022. Multiple linear regression models and Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation were applied. The results indicate that pedestrian mobility among older adults decreased by 7.3% during the hottest hours, with more pronounced reductions in disadvantaged districts and areas with limited access to urban services. The availability of climate shelters and health centers positively influenced mobility, while areas with a lower coverage of urban services experienced greater declines. At the district level, inequalities in the availability of urban infrastructure may exacerbate the vulnerability of older adults to extreme heat. The findings underscore the need for urban policies that promote equity in access to infrastructure and services that mitigate the effects of extreme heat, especially in disadvantaged areas. Full article

The global shipping industry is evolving towards deep integration of digital transformation, intelligent upgrading, and green development. Meanwhile, recent geopolitical shifts have introduced heightened uncertainties into international shipping, compounding the challenges and escalating the demands for weather routing services for ocean-going ships. This paper provides a systematic review and expert perspective on China’s current status and key challenges in ocean-going weather routing services. Based on operational insights from China’s national meteorological service synthesized with a review of current trends and the literature, it further explores the future development of China’s ocean-going weather routing services and technologies from multiple dimensions: enhancing maritime weather observation capabilities, developing advanced weather routing service models, upgrading autonomous and controllable global satellite communication systems, promoting intelligent navigation technologies to facilitate shipping’s low-carbon transition, and expanding meteorological support capabilities for Arctic shipping routes. The analysis identifies critical gaps and proposes strategic directions, offering a unique contribution to understanding the trajectory of weather routing services within China’s specific national context from the perspective of its primary national service provider. Full article

Community gardens are regarded as important green spaces that promote sustainable cities. Some studies have explored the ecosystem services of community gardens in different areas. However, existing studies lack a systematic review of research on community garden ecosystem services, and there is no comparative study of English- and Chinese-language literature. This paper comprehensively reviewed key English- and Chinese-language literature on the ecosystem services of community gardens from the Web of Science and CNKI and analyzed publication years, numbers, research locations, and research topics. The results showed that the number of studies in English and Chinese has increased significantly since 2015, with a consistent upward trend. Research locations are concentrated in urban areas of Europe, America, and eastern China. Both English- and Chinese-language literature focuses on “food supply (quantity)” in the provisioning services, as well as “learning and education” and “social cohesion and integration” in cultural services. The above results are related to the governance frameworks, the management systems, the climatic conditions, and the sustainable development needs of local cities and planning strategies. Given that most of the existing research focuses on the classification and mechanisms of community garden ecosystem services, it is proposed that future research deeply explore the design factors affecting community garden ecosystem services and pay attention to the links between different ecosystem services. The main findings of this review emphasize the correlation between community garden ecosystem services and contextual factors, and point out future research directions. Full article