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In the context of rapid urbanization and demographic transition, the implications of population shrinkage for urban sustainable development have attracted increasing scholarly attention. Nevertheless, empirical evidence on the relationship between population change and urban ecological resilience remains limited. Drawing on the Pressure–State–Response (PSR) framework, this study constructs a comprehensive indicator system to assess urban ecological resilience in 110 cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) over the period of 2012–2021. Furthermore, a panel threshold regression model is employed to examine the nonlinear effects of population shrinkage on urban ecological resilience. The findings indicate that urban ecological resilience exhibits an overall upward trend in YEB, characterized by pronounced spatial disparities. Eastern cities have a higher level of resilience than cities in the western region in YEB. The number of cities with shrinking populations is gradually increasing, and these shrinking cities are mainly small and medium-sized cities. The empirical results show that the impact of population shrinkage on urban ecological resilience is distinctly nonlinear, and regional economic development plays a moderating role in this nonlinear relationship. At lower levels of economic development, population shrinkage does not significantly moderate urban ecological resilience. As the economy reaches a moderate stage, population shrinkage exerts a stronger modulatory effect on ecological resilience. When economic development advances to a higher level, however, population shrinkage tends to inhibit ecological resilience. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for the population–ecological policies tailored to local conditions and offers valuable insights to promote urban sustainable development under conditions of population shrinkage. Full article

Anaerobic digestion under a Waste-to-Energy (WtE-AD) framework represents a sustainable alternative for managing organic waste and generating bioenergy in developing countries. However, most life cycle assessment (LCA) studies implicitly assume stable operation, overlooking the environmental implications of process instability. In practice, large-scale WtE-AD plants are frequently affected by methanogenic inhibition events that reduce methane production and compromise their technical, economic, and environmental performance. This study—Part 2 of a two-paper series—addresses this gap by quantifying, from a life cycle perspective, the environmental consequences of recurrent methanogenic inhibition events in large-scale WtE-AD systems, complementing the techno-economic analysis presented in Part 1. Large-scale WtE-AD plants were modeled using design equations based on treatment capacity (60–200 t d⁻¹), considering scenarios with up to ten inhibition events over a 25-year operational period. The LCA was conducted in accordance with ISO 14040:14044 standards, defining as the functional unit one ton of co-digested fruit and vegetable residues with meat industry wastes, under an attributional approach with system boundary expansion and evaluating midpoint indicators through the ReCiPe 2016 method. Results show that inhibition events increase greenhouse gas emissions by up to 400% (from 28.1 to 138.6 kg CO₂ eq t⁻¹ of waste treated), while plants with capacities above 125 t d⁻¹ exhibit environmental credits (negative emission balances), demonstrating greater environmental resilience. Electricity substitution from the Mexican grid generated savings of up to 0.624 kg CO₂ eq kWh⁻¹, although the magnitude of the benefits strongly depends on the regional electricity mix. This dependency was further explored through comparative electricity mix scenarios representative of different levels of power sector decarbonization, allowing the sensitivity of WtE-AD environmental performance to regional grid characteristics to be assessed. Compared to landfill disposal (1326 kg CO₂ eq t⁻¹), WtE-AD plants significantly reduce impacts across all assessed categories. By explicitly integrating operational instability into an industrial-scale LCA framework, this work highlights the importance of evaluating methanogenic inhibition events from a life cycle perspective, providing key insights for the design of more sustainable and resilient WtE-AD processes within a Latin American context. Full article

Smart microgrids are localized energy systems that integrate distributed energy resources, such as photovoltaics (PVs) and battery storage, to optimize energy use, enhance reliability, and minimize environmental impacts. This paper investigates the operation of a smart microgrid installed at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) campus in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. The system, consisting of PVs and battery storage, operates under a zero feed-in scheme, which maximizes on-site self-consumption while preventing electricity exports to the main grid. With increasing PV penetration and growing grid congestion, this scheme is an increasingly relevant strategy for microgrid operations, including university campuses. A properly sized PV–battery microgrid operating under zero feed-in operation can remain financially viable over its lifetime, while additionally it can achieve significant environmental benefits. The study performed at the HMU Campus utilizes measured hourly data of load demand, solar irradiance, and ambient temperature, while PV and battery components were modeled based on real technical specifications. The study evaluates the system using financial and environmental performance metrics, specifically net present value (NPV) and annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, complemented by sensitivity analyses for battery technology (lead–carbon and lithium-ion), load demand levels, varying electricity prices, and projected reductions in lithium-ion battery costs over the coming years. The findings indicate that the microgrid can substantially reduce grid electricity consumption, achieving annual GHG emission reductions exceeding 600 tons of CO₂. From a financial perspective, the optimal configuration consisting of a 760 kWp PV array paired with a 1250 kWh lead–carbon battery system provides a system autonomy of 46% and achieves an NPV of EUR 1.41 million over a 25-year horizon. Higher load demands and electricity prices increase the NPV of the optimal system, whereas lower load demands enhance the system’s autonomy. The anticipated reduction in lithium-ion battery costs over the next 5–10 years is expected to provide improved financial results compared to the base-case scenario. These results highlight the techno-economic viability of zero feed-in microgrids and provide valuable insights for the planning and deployment of similar systems in regions with increasing renewable penetration and grid constraints. Full article

Sustainable business management in the food sector entails the systematic integration of social, environmental, and economic considerations into organizational decision-making, which has direct implications for food safety assurance systems. This study sought to evaluate how the maturity of an organization’s safety culture influences employees’ pro-quality and food-safety-related behaviors. A complementary objective was to examine employees’ understanding of pro-quality awareness in the context of the principles, goals, and operational procedures associated with sustainable management. The research was carried out in three food industry enterprises located in the Greater Poland region. The methodological framework consisted of internal audits assessing compliance with food safety and quality management standards, combined with a structured questionnaire survey. A total of 169 employees from various operational and administrative departments participated. The results indicate that employees’ professional qualifications and organizational roles significantly affect their awareness of how individual actions contribute to food safety and product quality outcomes. Moreover, the implementation of a sustainable, systems-oriented management approach supported a more comprehensive understanding of food production processes where employees recognize their impacts on public health, the socio-economic environment, natural ecosystems, and future generations. At the same time, this approach underscores the interdependence between employee well-being, organizational performance, and consumer protection. Full article

Livestock contributes to economic stability and food security by providing income, employment, and nutrient-dense animal-source foods, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. However, the sector is also a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide, raising growing environmental and public health concerns. This review synthesizes current evidence on strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems while safeguarding productivity, food security, and human health. Emphasis is placed on the need to balance supply-side mitigation measures with demand-side interventions to avoid unintended nutritional and socio-economic consequences. Key supply-side approaches discussed include genetic improvement, optimized feeding strategies, manure and land resource management, and system-level efficiency gains. Demand-side strategies include food loss and waste reduction, shifts toward sustainable dietary patterns, and the development of alternative protein sources. Central to this review is the integration of these approaches within a planetary health framework, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, human and animal health, and socio-economic resilience. The review underscores that mitigation policies should be context-specific, equity-focused, and health-centered to ensure that climate goals are met without compromising access to affordable, nutritious foods. Collectively, the evidence indicates that coordinated policy action across production, consumption, and health systems is essential for achieving sustainable animal-source food production with reduced climate impact. Full article

The transition toward sustainable energy in Arctic and subarctic regions requires innovative approaches that account for both the unique geographical conditions and the economic and policy challenges associated with isolated power systems. This study examines how net energy metering (NEM) and net billing schemes influence distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption and financial performance among utilities in Alaska’s Railbelt. The Railbelt, which supplies power to three-quarters of the state’s population, remains heavily reliant on natural gas and exhibits limited renewable penetration compared to other arctic regions. Using a stochastic risk-based modeling framework with Monte Carlo simulations and the Bass diffusion model, the analysis estimates the 15-year financial impacts of different NEM adoption scenarios on utilities. Results show that while NEM drives PV adoption through higher compensation for exported generation, it also increases potential revenue losses for utilities compared to net billing. Policy innovations like those introduced in Alaska’s House Bill 164 (HB 164), which establishes a reimbursement fund to mitigate utility revenue losses, indicate that regulatory work is being designed to balance distributed generation incentives with economic sustainability. This work provides a baseline for understanding how a policy framework influences both utility and consumer economics in terms of NEM and solar PV adoption in Arctic and subarctic systems. Full article

Achieving Egypt’s 2035 renewable electricity targets presents substantial operational and institutional challenges, compounded by limited electricity trade across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study applies a PLEXOS-based simulation framework that integrates short-term economic dispatch with the Projected Assessment of System Adequacy (PASA) to evaluate the system-level impacts of economically dispatched cross-border interconnections with Saudi Arabia, Libya, Jordan, and Sudan. The analysis also incorporates domestic flexibility measures, including five-minute dispatch, dynamic reserve requirements, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Scenarios with renewable energy penetration levels of up to 50% are assessed using Egypt’s 2023 power system as the baseline. The results demonstrate that transitioning from a static, hourly, standalone operating framework to an integrated flexibility configuration—combining five-minute dispatch, 8 GW of economically dispatched cross-border interconnection capacity, and 8 GWh of BESS—yields substantial system-wide benefits at 50% renewable penetration. Loss-of-Load Probability declines from 96.48% to zero, ensuring full system adequacy, while total operational costs decrease by more than 45%, corresponding to annual savings of approximately USD 1.04 billion. Renewable energy curtailment is reduced by over 98%, enabling nearly 15 TWh of additional clean electricity generation, and CO₂ emissions fall by 11.6 million tons (≈40%). In addition, the operating-reserve shadow price—an indicator of reserve scarcity—declines to near zero, underscoring the effectiveness of coordinated regional dispatch and domestic flexibility in mitigating scarcity conditions. These findings provide robust evidence that integrated operational, temporal, and spatial flexibility can significantly accelerate renewable energy integration while strengthening system adequacy. The proposed framework offers an actionable and scalable blueprint for policy coordination and market reform in Egypt, with broader relevance for emerging power systems across the MENA region. Full article

This study examines how tourism companies in emerging markets respond to economic and geopolitical risks using a comprehensive panel data approach. Data from 23 tourism companies listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (BIST) between the first quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2025 were analyzed to assess their financial performance amid macroeconomic shocks and regional crises. The analysis addressed ‘multiple crisis’ scenarios such as the Russia–Turkey plane crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a significant earthquake in 2023. Panel regression results reveal that financial leverage (LEV) and GDP growth have a significant and statistically meaningful impact on profitability and stock performance compared to sectoral volume indicators (number of tourists and spending). The findings emphasize that tourism companies are highly sensitive not only to sectoral demand but also to overall economic confidence and macroeconomic stability. This study highlights that adopting flexible capital structures is essential for corporate resilience in uncertain times. Full article

Investigating the impact of factor mobility (FM) on the economic efficiency of marine fisheries (EEMF) holds scientific reference value for promoting the high-quality development of the marine fisheries economy in China’s coastal regions. This study is based on panel data from 11 coastal provinces and municipalities in China, covering the period from 2008 to 2023. Utilizing Tobit models and mediation effect models, it empirically analyzes the direct and indirect impacts of FM on the EEMF, as well as the regional heterogeneity of these effects. Research findings indicate that (1) the level of FM and the EEMF in coastal regions both exhibit fluctuating upward trends, although regional variations exist across different provinces. (2) FM in coastal regions enhances the EEMF. For every additional unit of FM, the EEMF increases by 0.0825 units. (3) Technological innovation levels and industrial structure upgrading serve as key pathways through which FM influences the EEMF, acting as mediating variables. (4) This impact exhibits regional heterogeneity, with the Eastern Marine Economic Circle being the most significantly affected. The research findings expand the scope of studies on FM and the EEMF, providing practical advice for promoting the optimal allocation of factors in coastal regions and enhancing EEMF development. Full article

This study examines the interrelated challenges of climate change and energy poverty across two distinct industrial regions: Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén in Hungary and Zarqa in Jordan. Both areas face unemployment and low-income levels, as well as environmental legacies of industrial activity; however, they differ significantly in their energy policies and infrastructure development. Using 2025 survey data, we develop indices of energy poverty, financial poverty, and climate perceptions, aligned with OECD guidelines. Regression analysis indicates that the model accounts for approximately 40% of the variance in energy poverty. Notably, heightened perceptions of climate change are associated with increased reports of energy hardship, suggesting that economically deprived households possess greater climate risk awareness. Resilience capacities, including adaptive skills, income stability, and community support, are found to substantially mitigate energy poverty. Income and employment status also play protective roles, underscoring the importance of economic resources. The impact of financial poverty varies markedly, being negligible in Hungary but severe in Jordan due to structural and infrastructural constraints. Our findings underscore the need for tailored, inclusive policy interventions that emphasize energy efficiency and retrofitting in Hungary and promote financial support and the adoption of renewable energy in Jordan. Integrating principles of energy justice into climate resilience strategies is crucial for promoting equitable and sustainable energy transitions, mitigating local vulnerabilities, and enhancing overall household resilience. Full article

Coral reefs provide immense ecosystem and economic value, supporting biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection worth billions annually. However, widespread degradation from thermal stress, storms, disease, and human impacts has caused significant coral cover and reef structure loss, increasing coastal vulnerability and economic risks. While coral loss is well-documented, degradation of underlying reef infrastructure and surrounding seafloor changes remain poorly understood. This study addresses this knowledge gap by quantifying seafloor elevation and volume changes across 234.2 km² of the Upper Florida Keys (UFK) reef tract using historical bathymetric and modern lidar (light detection and ranging) data collected from two periods with distinctly different disturbance regimes: 1935–2002 (frequent storms and major coral loss) and 2002–2016 (few storms and persistently low coral cover). Analysis of over 25,000 data points revealed substantial elevation and volume loss during 1935–2002 (−0.1 ± 0.8 m; 13.6 × 10⁶ m³ net loss), shifting to minimal gains by 2002–2016 (0.0 ± 0.3 m; 1.6 × 10⁶ m³ net gain). Despite this shift, benthic cover data showed continued declines in stony coral, with increases in macroalgae and octocorals, indicating that limited reef accretion persists even with reduced storm activity. Spatial analyses highlighted variable accretion and erosion patterns across habitats and subregions, underscoring the limitations of localized measurements for ecosystem-wide assessments. Our findings demonstrate the value of integrating historical and modern datasets for regional reef monitoring, establishing baselines for restoration planning, and emphasizing the need for continued high-resolution monitoring to guide adaptive management amid ongoing environmental change. Full article

This review examines the status, challenges, and future trajectories of global mussel aquaculture within the blue food system. Despite steady production growth, mussels’ relative contribution to total bivalve output has significantly declined over recent decades due to disproportionate expansion of oyster, clam, and scallop sectors. A major geographical production shift has occurred, with Asia, spearheaded by China, emerging as the dominant region, supplanting traditional European producers while the Americas rapidly ascend. China’s overwhelming dominance in overall bivalve production starkly contrasts with its underdeveloped mussel sector, where growth lags behind other bivalves despite substantial absolute increases, reflecting a fundamental restructuring of species composition. The industry faces interconnected sustainability constraints: persistent vulnerabilities in spat supply stemming from environmental variability, hatchery limitations, and disease transmission risks; escalating environmental stressors including climate change impacts, harmful algal blooms, pollution, and pathogens; structural flaws in value chains characterized by fragmented production, market volatility, and underutilized byproducts; and governance challenges related to spatial access and licensing inefficiencies. This review advocates for a comprehensive strategy to boost the mussel aquaculture. These encompass advancing hatchery technology and genetic breeding programs, implementing ecosystem-based management such as multi-trophic systems and AI-enhanced environmental monitoring, restructuring value chains through producer cooperation and high value product diversification, and establishing science-based spatial planning frameworks with streamlined governance. Addressing these challenges holistically is critical to position mussel farming as a resilient pillar of sustainable blue food production capable of reconciling ecological integrity with economic viability and social equity. Full article

Significant earthquakes can cause widespread infrastructure damage, social implications, and substantial economic losses. To mitigate these impacts, earthquake forecasting models have been developed to estimate earthquake occurrences and improve recovery efforts, with the Epidemic-Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) model being the most informative statistical framework for characterizing earthquake sequences. In this study, the ETAS model is used to estimate the model parameters for seismicity in Canada using the historical earthquake catalogue and to forecast long-term seismicity for seven different regions in Canada. Furthermore, the model is used to generate synthetic earthquake catalogues in order to assess its ability to replicate observed seismic patterns. The study identifies the southwestern region of Canada, associated with the coastal area of British Columbia, as being at the highest seismic risk, with a 66% exceedance probability for M7.5 events or above to occur in 30 years. In contrast, Alberta features the least seismic risk, with a 4% exceedance probability for events above 6.5 magnitude. For southeastern Canada, associated with Eastern Ontario and Southern Quebec, an exceedance probability of 74% for events above 6.0 magnitude poses the potential for significant damage due to the larger exposed population. Moreover, the resulting seismicity maps show the model’s capability for real-events analysis, but improvements are needed for further applications. Full article

As a critical agroforestry crop in Southern China, Moso bamboo, maintains regional timber security and bamboo shoot production, with its net ecosystem productivity (NEP) directly determining dry matter accumulation and economic yield. This study integrates 2024 continuous flux observations with XGBoost and SHAP explanations to characterize the subtropical bamboo forest carbon budget and its nonlinear driving mechanisms. The results show a weak carbon sink in 2024 with an annual cumulative NEP of 120 g C m⁻², as high respiration of 860 g C m⁻² limited organic matter conversion by consuming nearly 88% of the 980 g C m⁻² total primary production. The peak production period during May and June was offset by growth stagnation in August, caused by extreme heat and drought. Net radiation served as the primary driver, with a positive contribution threshold of 75.28 W m⁻², whereas precipitation exceeding 1.85 mm or air temperatures over 17.85 °C hindered carbon accumulation through radiation attenuation and metabolic heat loss. Strong radiation–precipitation interactions confirm that water’s impacts on yield are deeply contingent upon radiation backgrounds. These nonlinear regulatory pathways provide a scientific foundation for stabilizing bamboo forest productivity through synergistic water-radiation management and structural optimization during extreme climate events. Full article

In the rapidly urbanizing Global South, megacities face a perplexing “paradox of idleness”: acute land scarcity in the urban core coexisting with inefficient rural homesteads in the hinterland. Using Shanghai as a representative case, this study integrates spatial autocorrelation analysis with Geographical Detector modeling to quantify the spatial differentiation patterns and driving mechanisms of this phenomenon. The results reveal a distinct core-periphery gradient, with vacancy density increasing from the inner suburbs to the remote hinterland. Four regional typologies were identified: dispersed-inefficient, high-density accumulation, sparse-stable, and intensive-efficient. Quantitative analysis identifies demographic aging and low agricultural efficiency as dominant drivers. Counter-intuitively, the study finds that top-down institutional pilots alone exert a negligible direct impact. Instead, interaction analysis confirms a significant policy-bundling effect, in which institutional tools promote revitalization only when coupled with economic and locational incentives. These findings expose a mechanism of “involuntary vacancy” trapped by institutional rigidity, distinct from the market-driven abandonment seen in shrinking or remote Western contexts. Consequently, a gradient-based governance framework is proposed to transition from “one-size-fits-all” regulation to targeted spatial restructuring pathways. Full article