Search Results (581)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), launched by the United Nations in 2015, outline 17 interconnected objectives designed to promote human well-being and sustainable development worldwide. Education is recognized by the United Nations as a key factor in promoting sustainable development. To cultivate students with both global perspectives and local engagement, it is essential to integrate sustainability education into elementary curricula. Accordingly, this study aimed to enhance elementary school students’ understanding of the SDGs by designing a structured instructional activity and developing a hybrid digital-physical board game. The game was implemented as a supplementary review tool to traditional classroom teaching, leveraging the motivational and knowledge-retention benefits of physical board games while incorporating digital features to support learning process monitoring. To address the limitations of conventional review approaches—such as reduced student engagement and increased cognitive load—the instructional model incorporated the board game during review sessions following formal instruction. This was intended to maintain student attention and reduce unnecessary cognitive effort, thereby supporting learning in sustainability-related content. A quasi-experimental design was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the instructional intervention and the board game system, focusing on three outcome variables: learning motivation, cognitive load, and learning achievement. The results indicated that students in the game-based Sustainable Development Goals group achieved significantly higher delayed posttest scores (M = 72.91, SD = 15.17) than the traditional review group (M = 61.30, SD = 22.82; p < 0.05). In addition, they reported significantly higher learning motivation (M = 4.40, SD = 0.64) compared to the traditional group (M = 3.99, SD = 0.69; p < 0.05) and lower cognitive load (M = 1.84, SD = 1.39) compared to the traditional group (M = 2.66, SD = 1.30; p < 0.05), suggesting that the proposed approach effectively supported student learning in sustainability education at the elementary level. Full article

This study estimates a willingness-to-pay (WTP) space mixed logit model to evaluate user valuations of travel time, safety, and comfort attributes associated with common access modes in Bangkok, including walking, motorcycle taxis, and localized minibuses. The model accounts for preference heterogeneity by specifying random parameters for travel time. Results indicate that users—exhibiting substantial variation in preferences—place higher value on reducing motorcycle taxi travel time, particularly in time-constrained contexts such as peak-hour commuting, whereas walking is more acceptable in less pressured settings. Safety and comfort attributes—such as helmet availability, smooth pavement, and seating—significantly influence access mode choice. Notably, the WTP for helmet availability is estimated at THB 8.04 per trip, equivalent to approximately 40% of the typical fare for station access, underscoring the importance of safety provision. Women exhibit stronger preferences for motorized access modes, reflecting heightened sensitivity to environmental and social conditions. This study represents one of the first applications of WTP-space modeling for valuing informal station access transport in Southeast Asia, offering context-specific and segment-level estimates. These findings support targeted interventions—including differentiated pricing, safety regulations, and service quality enhancements—to strengthen first-/last-mile connectivity. The results provide policy-relevant evidence to advance equitable and sustainable transport, particularly in rapidly urbanizing contexts aligned with SDG 11.2. Full article

In Japan’s hilly and mountainous areas, which cover over 60% of the national land area, issues such as population outflow, aging, and regional decline are intensifying. This study explored sustainable decarbonization pathways by examining two representative regions (Maniwa City and Hidakagawa Town), while accounting for diverse regional characteristics. A bottom-up approach was adopted to calculate energy consumption and CO₂ emissions within residential and transportation sectors. Six future scenarios were developed to evaluate emission trends and countermeasure effectiveness in different regions. The key findings are as follows: (1) in the study areas, complex regional issues have resulted in relatively high current levels of CO₂ emissions in these sectors, and conditions may worsen without intervention; (2) if the current trends continue, per-capita CO₂ emissions in both regions are projected to decrease by only around 40% by 2050 compared to 2020 levels; (3) under enhanced countermeasure scenarios, CO₂ emissions could be reduced by >99%, indicating that regional decarbonization is achievable. This study provides reliable information for designing localized sustainability strategies in small-scale, under-researched areas, while highlighting the need for region-specific countermeasures. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals 7, 11, and 13. Full article

Cultural heritage in insular regions faces increasing challenges due to overtourism, seasonal economies, and insufficient protection frameworks. This study investigates the adaptive reuse of Sarakina Mansion, a deteriorated 18th-century estate on the island of Zakynthos, as a model for integrating cultural heritage preservation with sustainable tourism. The research addresses the gap in localized strategies for heritage-led development in the context of islands with overtourism. Through a qualitative case study methodology—including site analysis, archival research, and stakeholder interviews—this paper explores how abandoned cultural assets can be reactivated to foster community engagement and diversify tourism models. Two distinct SWOT analyses were conducted as follows: one at the territorial level (Zakynthos Island) and another focused on the island’s cultural heritage. The findings highlight key obstacles such as environmental degradation and policy fragmentation, but they also reveal opportunities for adaptive reuse grounded in local identity and sustainable practices. The proposed reuse scenario for Sarakina promotes partial structural stabilization and community-driven cultural programming, aiming to create a hybrid open-air cultural hub. This study contributes a replicable framework for reimagining neglected heritage assets in overtourism-affected areas, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

This paper investigates how sustainable STEM education is being shaped within the pre-university systems of the 22 Arab countries. By categorizing these systems into four groups based on the Global Knowledge Index and two analytical tracks, this study examines in detail the factors that enable—or hinder—the development of long-term, sustainability-oriented competencies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Beyond pedagogical dimensions, this study emphasizes STEM education as a strategic tool for achieving national sustainable development goals (SDGs), promoting workforce readiness, and informing education policy reform. The analysis highlights the policy efforts, systemic limitations, and the need for localized strategies to integrate sustainability into the STEM curricula and teacher training. It is structured in six sections: (1) an introduction to STEM and sustainability concepts, the Global Knowledge Index, and the Arab-region education landscape; (2) research questions, methodology, and data sources; (3) analysis of Groups 1 and 2, assessing their experiences in implementing sustainability-driven STEM initiatives; (4) analysis of Groups 3 and 4, evaluating their readiness for adopting sustainable STEM programs; (5) discussion of findings in light of sustainability policy frameworks; and (6) a concluding overview with actionable recommendations to align national education systems with global sustainability goals. Full article

Since 2015 and the Paris Agreements, several countries have committed to sustainable development (SD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have an important role to play in providing education and supporting research activities that integrate SD and SDG concepts. However, the context where the HEI is located has an impact on the level of development and integration of strategic guidelines, methods, and tools for measuring the performance of SDGs within the HEI. The United Nations framework remains the most developed and used tool, but it stays very global and needs to be adapted to other contexts, which leads to local initiatives by some HEIs in developing their tools. The response of HEIs to this challenge differs from one context to another, and this article aims to (i) provide a framework to analyze the different HEI contexts based on their own global, national, and local context; (ii) present and compare the context analysis of three different HEIs (ULaval, Sorbonne Univ, and UWE) in three different countries worldwide (Canada, France, and England), and (iii) discuss the limits, challenges, and research opportunities in the subject of SDG integration within HEIs. Notably, the context analysis of ULaval and UWE case studies showed that the Canadian and UK scales give global orientations with a delegation to the Quebec Province and England government for the education and research strategies. A strong leadership comes from the HEIs themselves in developing their own methods and tools for assessing and monitoring the SDGs, as is the case with ULaval and UWE. On the other hand, the Sorbonne Univ case follows the French national and European-United Nation framework but is less committed to developing its own tools and methods. Full article

Scientific knowledge and international collaboration are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study conducts a large-scale bibliometric analysis of 49.4 million publications indexed in the Web of Science (1945–2023) related to the SDGs, with a specific focus on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). Since 1992, SDG 3 has accounted for 58% of SDG-related scientific output. Using K-means clustering and network analysis, we classified countries/regions by research productivity and mapped core–periphery collaboration structures. Results reveal a sharp concentration: the United States, China, England, and Germany account for 51.65% of publications. In contrast, the group composed of the 195 least productive countries and territories accounts for approximately 5% of the total scientific output on the SDGs, based on the same clustering method. Collaboration patterns mirror this inequality, with 84.97% of partnerships confined to the core group and only 2.81% involving core–periphery cooperation. These asymmetries limit the capacity of developing regions to generate health research aligned with local needs, constraining equitable progress toward SDG 3. Expanding scientific cooperation, fostering North–South and South–South collaborations, and ensuring equitable research funding are essential to promote inclusive knowledge production and support sustainable global health. Full article

Farmers face increasing pressure to maintain vital populations of the critically endangered field hamster (Cricetus cricetus) while managing crop damage caused by field mice. This challenge is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 15, addressing food security and biodiversity. Consequently, the reliable detection of hamster activity in agricultural fields is essential. While remote sensing offers potential for wildlife monitoring, commonly used RGB imagery has limitations in detecting small burrow entrances in vegetated areas. This study investigates the potential of drone-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for identifying field hamster burrow entrances in agricultural landscapes. A geostatistical method was developed to detect local elevation minima as indicators of burrow openings. The analysis used four datasets captured at varying flight altitudes and spatial resolutions. The method successfully detected up to 20 out of 23 known burrow entrances and achieved an F1-score of 0.83 for the best-performing dataset. Detection was most accurate at flight altitudes of 30 m or lower, with performance decreasing at higher altitudes due to reduced point density. These findings demonstrate the potential of UAV-based LiDAR to support non-invasive species monitoring and habitat management in agricultural systems, contributing to sustainable conservation practices in line with the SDGs. Full article

Assessing sustainability in urban projects became a key priority in the face of growing urban complexity. Therefore, how can global sustainability indicators be effectively adapted to assess urban projects at local scales? The paper proposes a framework for integrating sustainability into the decision-making process, aligning urban governance with the 2030 Agenda at the district and building levels. Governments’ growing demand for reliable monitoring, reporting, and evaluation systems underscores the urgency of data-driven tools to guide and adjust policies. In this context, indicators are essential instruments, making sustainability measurable and transparent. Anchored in the global framework of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the paper focuses on SDG 11, integrating strategic targets with operational metrics from Sustainable Assessment Tools (SATs). The research adopts a multi-method approach, combining inductive analysis—guided by the PRISMA methodology for systematic reviews—with deductive analysis based on surveys. This study represents the theoretical foundation of the GLOSSA project (GLOcal knowledge-System for the Sustainable Assessment of urban projects), aiming to provide a set of indicators for measuring and evaluating sustainable urban transformation projects. This paper highlights the need to integrate sustainability into urban decision-making, providing an operational framework for sustainable urban governance. Full article

This study explores how private sector initiatives within the tourism industry can contribute to public health outcomes and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) through sustainable agricultural practices. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines a systematic literature review with an in-depth case study, the research examines how integrated strategies—such as pesticide-free farming, biodiversity enhancement, and edible landscape design—can reduce environmental health risks, improve nutritional quality, and promote local resilience. A series of sustainability interventions are analyzed using key performance indicators (KPIs) related to pesticide use, organic production, pollinator conservation, and community engagement. The findings reveal that business-led sustainability models can support systemic change when grounded in clear metrics and cross-sector collaboration. Although the absence of pre-2019 baseline data and direct health outcome measurements limit causal inference, the study provides a valuable blueprint for aligning private enterprise practices with global health and sustainability objectives. The implications are relevant for policymakers, hospitality operators, and public health stakeholders aiming to foster synergies between tourism, agriculture, and well-being. Full article

This study proposes a theoretical–methodological model for communities engaged in alternative tourism, based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in alternative development structures—understood as organizational forms that differ from the dominant economic model by prioritizing communal and sustainable principles. Through a theoretical, exploratory–descriptive, and qualitative approach, the research adapts an analytical model previously applied to conventional tourism areas and redirects it toward rural territories with tourism potential. The resulting model, named METACORTAL, offers a structured methodology aimed at strengthening community processes and guiding the implementation of sustainable tourism practices. A total of 15 goals, 36 targets, and 49 indicators from the 2030 Agenda are identified as aligned with alternative tourism and with at least one form of alternative development structure. This study is highly relevant for policymakers, community leaders, and tourism stakeholders seeking to link local development with global sustainability frameworks. By offering a practical decision-making tool, it contributes to advancing the SDGs through inclusive and context-sensitive tourism models. Full article

Industrial wastewater management remains a critical barrier to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) in many developing countries, where regulatory frameworks exist but affordable and scalable treatment solutions are lacking. In Pakistan, the textile sector is a leading polluter, with untreated effluents routinely discharged into rivers and agricultural lands despite stringent National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). This study presents a pilot-scale case from Faisalabad’s Khurrianwala industrial zone, where a decentralized, nature-based bioreactor was piloted to bridge the gap between policy and practice. The system integrates four treatment stages—anaerobic digestion (AD), floating treatment wetland (FTW), constructed wetland (CW), and sand filtration (SF)—and was further intensified via nutrient amendment, aeration, and bioaugmentation with three locally isolated bacterial strains (Acinetobacter junii NT-15, Pseudomonas indoloxydans NT-38, and Rhodococcus sp. NT-39). The fully intensified configuration achieved substantial reductions in total dissolved solids (TDS) (46%), total suspended solids (TSS) (51%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (91%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (94%), nutrients, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) (86%), sulfate (26%), and chloride (41%). It also removed 95% iron (Fe), 87% cadmium (Cd), 57% lead (Pb), and 50% copper (Cu) from the effluent. The bacterial inoculants persist in the system and colonize the plant roots, contributing to stable bioremediation. The treated effluent met the national environmental quality standards (NEQS) discharge limits, confirming the system’s regulatory and ecological viability. This case study demonstrates how nature-based systems, when scientifically intensified, can deliver high-performance wastewater treatment in industrial zones with limited infrastructure—offering a replicable model for sustainable, SDG-aligned pollution control in the Global South. Full article

In this study, we examine banks’ sustainability orientations (SOs) in the Baltic region, focusing on how institutional, stakeholder, national culture, and leadership factors influence strategic alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We assess how Baltic banks integrate sustainable development using a bibliometric review, financial performance analysis, Spearman’s rank correlation, and content analysis of sustainability-related disclosures for 2023, and interpret Hofstede’s cultural dimensions of the Baltic countries alongside these results. Our bibliometric review reveals limited research on SO and SD in banking, with a gradual annual increase of 14.8%. Our content analysis findings suggest that smaller banks are more broadly aligned with the SDGs; however, 36.4% of the largest banks in the region did not have a dedicated sustainability report a year before ESRS and CSRD requirements became mandatory. Notably, the reporting approach shows no statistically significant correlation with assets, size, global/local coverage, or the number of aligned SDGs. Furthermore, our content analysis findings reveal a persistent sustainability paradox: while economic and environmental goals are strategically prioritised, social SDGs are significantly underrepresented. We propose that this reflects a lack of demand for socially sustainable development rooted in regional contexts and national culture, which shape SO and organisational and leadership responses. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3, particularly in developing countries, exacerbating existing health disparities and creating new challenges for health systems worldwide. This study explores the role of university research in advancing SDG 3 targets in a post-pandemic context using the University of the Western Cape as a case study. Through qualitative data analysis of research titles and abstracts registered between 2020 and 2022, we applied the WHERETO model of McTighe and Bloom’s Taxonomy to categorize research according to the SDG 3 targets and indicators. This approach provides insight into which health priorities were addressed through scholarly research at UWC in alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda, particularly during pandemic recovery. Our findings indicate that research priorities largely corresponded with South Africa’s health challenges, with the highest concentration of studies addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health (Target 3.4), infectious diseases (Target 3.3), and medicine development (Target 3.b). These priorities align with the National Health Research Committee’s identified health priorities for disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape. Notably, research on mental health and emergency preparedness (Target 3.d) increased significantly during the pandemic period, reflecting shifting priorities in response to COVID-19. This study offers critical insights into how university research shifted priorities adapted during the pandemic and identifies areas requiring focused attention to support post-pandemic recovery. By highlighting research gaps and opportunities, our findings provide a foundation for developing more comprehensive approaches to health research that address the disparities exacerbated by COVID-19 while advancing the 2030 agenda. This model could inform research prioritization at other institutions facing similar challenges in both local and global contexts. Full article

This study analyzes the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 15 (Life on Land) into the tourism development strategies of Lago Agrio Canton, Sucumbíos Province, Ecuador. The main objective is to assess how tourism can serve as a driver for sustainable infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and inclusive local growth, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda. A qualitative methodology was adopted, involving documentary analysis with exploratory and descriptive scopes. The sources included national development plans, regional policy frameworks, institutional reports, and the relevant academic literature. This study employed territorial indicators related to infrastructure quality, ecosystem protection, and stakeholder participation to evaluate SDG alignment. The results highlight that sustainable tourism practices—particularly those incorporating corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship—can stimulate innovation and enhance resilience in underdeveloped territories. Wetlands and forested areas emerge as key natural assets with strong potential for ecological tourism and sustainable investment. The findings suggest that collaborative actions between the public and private sectors, guided by SDGs 9 and 15, can generate long-term benefits, including biodiversity preservation, improved service infrastructure, and economic inclusion for local communities. Overall, the research underscores the potential of sustainable tourism as a practical mechanism for localizing the SDGs in fragile yet high-value ecological regions. Full article