Search Results (85)

The global energy crisis, driven by economic and political disruptions, has intensified efforts to transition toward a more competitive and sustainable society. This study, framed within the context of SDG 7, examines the influence of knowledge, psychological factors, and sociodemographic characteristics on two dimensions of sustainable residential energy consumption: energy efficiency and energy curtailment behavior. A quantitative survey was conducted with 1410 Romanian participants, using a structured questionnaire and convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses reveal that knowledge of energy issues and the importance attributed to sustainable development goals positively influence intentions to conserve energy at home. Notably, perceived importance significantly influences the purchase of energy-efficient appliances (F = 23.01, p < 0.001) and moderately supports curtailment behaviors, as evidenced by higher adoption rates of actions such as disconnecting appliances and using natural lighting among participants with stronger pro-saving attitudes. Attitudes toward voluntary energy-saving measures also predict purchasing and curtailment behaviors, with intention playing a mediating role. Sociodemographic variables impact energy-saving behavior to varying degrees. While perceptions may differ across countries due to historical contexts, the findings provide a valuable benchmark for informing national policies and promoting voluntary energy-saving and production measures at the residential level, supporting the transition to sustainable energy. Full article

Confronted with the climate emergency, reducing CO₂ emissions has become a priority for all nations of the world because the follow-up of humanity depends on it. Most European Union (EU) member states have pledged to cut their net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach full carbon neutrality by 2050, using 1990 as the baseline year. Despite this common effort, there is still a lack of effective decision-making on carbon neutrality strategies applied throughout the life cycle of a building in all EU countries. A common strategy is proposed in this study to fill this gap in the literature. The building sector is a real lever for reducing the carbon footprint and saving energy. Currently, the methodology for achieving large-scale carbon neutrality is well established. However, there is only a limited number of experts worldwide who have mastered this technology, making it challenging to develop a standardized approach for all nations. The absence of extensive, regular, and consistent data on carbon emissions has considerably hindered the understanding of the root causes of climate change at both the building and neighborhood levels. Is it not it time to break this barrier? With this in mind, this study was carried out with the intention of proposing a common method to achieve carbon neutrality at the neighborhood scale in European Union countries. The most significant parameters having a direct impact on carbon emissions have facilitated the adaptation of the three types of neighborhood in the different capitals of the EU countries, in particular, local building materials, microclimate, the energy mix of each country, and the mode of daily transport. The life cycle assessment of the three districts was conducted using the Plaides LCAv6.25.3 tool in combination with Meteonorm software version 8.2.0, considering a 100-year lifespan for the buildings. In addition, the cost of the various environmental impacts is assessed based on the monetary indicators for European Committee for Standardization indicators method. The main results showed that the distribution of carbon dioxide is 73.3% higher in urban areas than in sustainable neighborhoods and 39.0% higher in urban districts than in rural districts. Nearly zero emissions in the next decade are again possible by applying the scenario involves global warming combined with the complete (100%) renovation of all buildings and the transition to 100% electric vehicles along with the use of solar panels. This strategy makes it possible to reduce between 90.1% and 99.9% of the emission rate in residential districts regarding EU countries. Full article

Leisure activities positively impact community development including benefits related to enhancing physical health, improving mental health, developing social skills, encouraging creativity, and enhancing quality of life. However, the relationship between leisure activities’ benefits and residents’ motivation to participate in community building remains little explored. To fill the gap, this study constructed structural equation modeling including positive environment changes, residents’ participation, leisure activities, and improving quality of life. The results found three key implications of positive environmental changes in boosting the intention of community participation, including the following: (1) positive environment changes including making more green space, enhancing the aesthetics of community layout, and building more open spaces significantly boost recreational activity demand; (2) leisure activities and their multifaceted impacts lead to improved quality of life contributing to the residents’ intention of community development; (3) the intention of community development participation is strongly influenced by perceptions of the positive changes in physical landscapes and by the mediating role of leisure activities and benefits of the quality of life. The findings provide insight and perspective for policymakers and planners toward sustainable living environments. Additionally, they emphasize the critical role of diverse, accessible recreational opportunities in enhancing the overall quality of life in dynamic residential contexts. Full article

The relationship between tourism and the environment is often studied through tourism’s impact on destinations, with limited focus on how eco-degradation affects tourism, including residential tourism, which remains the most loyal to specific destinations. This study examines whether a destination’s eco-degradation impacts the residential tourists’ satisfaction and their intention to revisit. Two studies were conducted on the Mar Menor destination (Spain) using two online questionnaires administered through social media. Study 1 (from October 2020 to December 2021, n = 822) explored tourists’ perceptions of the destination’s ecological situation. Study 2 (November 2022 and March 2023, n = 453) examined how the destination’s eco-degradation influences residential tourists’ intention to revisit, considering the mediating role of destination attachment and perceived value. We found that residential tourists’ perceptions and revisit intentions vary with accommodation type. Eco-degradation impacts holiday satisfaction but not revisit intentions. Second-home ownership compels visits despite dissatisfaction or a preference for alternative destinations. This research contributes to the scarce literature on residential tourism by showing that place attachment and the perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioural intentions can explain revisit intention even in contexts of eco-degradation of the destination. Full article

Population outflow from rural areas represents a significant social issue in Japan. Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications suggest that insufficient leisure options contribute to rural residents’ decisions to relocate. This study aims to examine the relationship between subjective well-being and the intention to reside in a specific region, considering the diversity of leisure activities available to rural residents. Our findings indicate that enhancing leisure activities improves subjective well-being but does not necessarily strengthen residents’ intentions to reside in the area. Notably, those partaking in wider areas for leisure activities exhibited a lower inclination to stay in the region. This study contributes to the understanding necessary for developing sustainable rural societies. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the demand for urban pocket parks near residential areas, posing new challenges for environmental governance. However, there is a lack of research on how to engage citizens in pocket-park governance to address both potential and unforeseen risks. This study combines social information processing theory with a norm activation model to develop a framework that identifies the shaping stages and influencing factors of citizens’ intentions to participate in pocket-park governance. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling, this research analyzed the relationships among external factors, attitudes, moral norms, and intentions to participate based on 719 responses from an online survey targeting Chinese citizens in November and December 2023. Results indicate that health risks and pocket-park environmental quality positively affect perceived usefulness. Attitudes and moral norms are indeed important factors mediating the positive effect of the external environment on the intention to participate. The pathway of guiding citizens to participate in pocket-park governance is clarified, which helps bolster the resilience of urban green spaces and improve the quality of life of residents after public crises. Full article

Urbanization degrades natural habitats and creates new urban ecosystems like domestic gardens. The plant composition of these gardens varies with socio-economic factors and urban planning levels. However, the diversity and impact of introduced species are often poorly assessed, causing potential ecological imbalances (disruptions in the natural functioning and stability of ecosystems), particularly in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The objective was to analyze the spatial structure, plant diversity, propagation strategies, and ecological functions of domestic gardens. Three distinct neighborhoods were selected: a planned, unplanned, and residential neighborhood. Twenty avenues (with five plots per avenue) were chosen to represent the diversity within each neighborhood, and stratified random sampling of plots was conducted to analyze gardening practices. Gardens were classified into types, and their vegetation was evaluated based on species origin and ecological impact. The analysis of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi reveals significant variations across different neighborhood types. Residential neighborhoods exhibit larger average garden sizes (315.1 m²), higher species richness (22 species), and larger plot sizes (1032 m²) compared to unplanned and planned neighborhoods, where garden areas and species richness are notably lower. Rectangular gardens dominate in unplanned areas, while planned neighborhoods feature more intentional landscaping elements, such as flowerbeds and hedges. The use of gardens for food production is prominent in planned areas (40.7%), whereas residential neighborhoods prioritize ornamentation (51.4%). The study identified 232 taxa across 68 families, with a predominance of exotic species (80%) in all neighborhoods, particularly in unplanned areas (82.25%). The data revealed that Mangifera indica and Persea americana are abundant in all neighborhoods, illustrating their adaptability to different urban contexts. Herbaceous species are most common, followed by woody plants, with vines being sparse. Species dispersal is primarily driven by human activities (anthropochory), accounting for over 85% in all neighborhoods. These findings highlight the strong human influence on the composition and structure of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi, emphasizing the dominance of exotic species and the importance of anthropogenic factors in shaping urban green spaces. Urban policies should incorporate strategies to minimize the negative impacts of exotic species on native flora. Full article

Despite the tightening of energy performance standards for buildings in various countries and the increased use of efficient and renewable energy technologies, it is clear that the sector needs to change more rapidly to meet the Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario by 2050. One of the problems that have been analyzed intensively in recent years is that buildings in operation use much more energy than they were designed to. This problem, known as the energy performance gap, is found in many countries and buildings and is often attributed to the poor management of building energy systems. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) has untapped potential to address this problem and lead to more sustainable buildings. This paper reviews different AI-based models that have been proposed for different applications and different buildings with the intention to reduce energy consumption. It compares the performance of the different AI-based models evaluated in the reviewed papers by presenting the accuracy and error rates of model performance and identifies where the greatest potential for energy savings could be achieved, and to what extent. The review showed that offices have the greatest potential for energy savings (up to 37%) when they employ AI models for HVAC control and optimization. In residential and educational buildings, the lower intelligence of the existing BEMS results in smaller energy savings (up to 23% and 21%, respectively). Full article

Building on recent civic engagement conversations, this article considers several legal proposals and existing frameworks that are meant to expand opportunities for civic growth and interaction in higher education. Though well intentioned, these proposed and existing guidelines, as we demonstrate, in many cases, restrict the ability of students to learn in traditional ways that facilitate their civic interactions on campus. The suggested and recently implemented reforms include expanded Advanced Placement and Dual Credit opportunities, reduced support for general education classes, and 90 h degrees intended to replace 120 credit hour degrees. The issue with all of these ideas (implemented or not), as we show, is that they amputate what is critical to a genuine undergraduate civic engagement experience: time physically spent on campus, building bonds of trust within a cohort in a way that makes possible the tough conversations, without which true civic connection never becomes a reality. The recommendation of our article as a whole, then—at the local, state, and federal levels—is to use all available legal tools, including ones connected to financial aid and accreditation, to not further reduce time that students are required to spend on campus as a prerequisite of graduation. Maintaining residential requirements, as we further show, will also advance goals of equity and equal access. Full article

Health, environmental, and animal advocacy organisations emphasise reducing or eliminating high meat consumption due to its adverse effects on health, sustainability, climate change, and animal welfare. Increasingly, people are deciding to reduce their meat consumption frequency. Our study aimed to examine predictors of meat reduction among Slovenian consumers, focusing on gender, age, partner and children status, size of residential settlement, socioeconomic status, and political orientation. We conducted a survey using non-probability sampling. We examined demographic, socioeconomic, and political predictors of individuals’ self-assessed intent to reduce meat consumption in the month following the survey. Additionally, we analysed respondents’ meat reduction during the three years prior. A correlation analysis revealed that higher age and education levels were significantly positively correlated with meat reduction patterns. An ordinal logistic regression analysis indicated that age was the only significant predictor of meat reduction intentions and past behaviour. Our findings suggest that middle-aged and elderly individuals are more likely than younger adults to report meat reduction behaviours. Future public health interventions should tailor approaches to different age groups, and, in particular, target younger individuals. Educational campaigns should highlight the health and environmental benefits of reducing meat and animal product consumption, particularly in primary and secondary schools. Full article

This study assesses the impact of a sustainability-focused residential hall in Hong Kong on the environmental awareness and adoption of sustainable practices of its student residents. The hall provides an immersive learning environment, offering hands-on activities such as eco-gardening, sustainability drives, seminars, and workshops to impart sustainability knowledge and skills. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this study gathered quantitative data through a questionnaire on environmental beliefs and pro-environmental intention, revealing a significant enhancement in environmental awareness among students with more than two semesters of residence in the hall. Qualitative research explored the impact of residential hall experiences on the residents’ environmental mindset, uncovering three themes: immersive experiences, long-term habituation, and the visibility of outcomes. These findings suggest that living in a sustainability-themed residential hall shapes students’ environmental attitudes and behaviors, reinforcing the value of integrating residential education within Environmental Sustainability Education (ESE) frameworks. This study highlights the potential of residential halls or communities as catalysts for fostering a culture of sustainability within academic communities, offering insights for educators and policy-makers in designing effective ESE strategies. Full article

Rapid urban development and increasing climate-related challenges underscore the need for effective urban disaster mitigation strategies. This study, conducted in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, uses a Structural Equation Model to assess how satisfaction with urban disaster prevention planning influences residents’ intentions to stay there. We found that satisfaction with sustainable urban disaster prevention increases residents’ willingness to remain and acts as a key mediator between satisfaction with public facilities and residential intentions. The methodology provides practical insights for urban planners and policymakers, highlighting that improving public facilities and effective disaster planning significantly strengthens residents’ attachment to urban environments. These findings suggest a pragmatic way to enhance urban sustainability and resilience by incorporating disaster preparedness into urban development plans. Full article

This study investigates the role of financial information in shaping the intention to adopt (ITA) Residential Rooftop Photovoltaic (RPV) systems in Israel—a country with a surprisingly low RPV adoption rate given the high solar irradiance, and significant governmental support for RPV. We used an online survey of 899 respondents to examine how different presentations of RPV revenues impact both RPV deal comprehension and ITA. Our results align with existing literature on the roles of early technology adopters and pro-environmental characteristics while introducing two novel findings. First, households value their roofs—especially flat ones used for leisure. This negatively impacts ITA. Second, we found a positive correlation between trust in government entities and ITA, underscoring the importance of trust in institutions. Although financial information does enhance RPV deal comprehension, it does not significantly influence ITA. This study concludes that RPV penetration should not be promoted solely by financial incentives, but also by other motivations like environmental concerns, novelty seeking, and improved institutional trust. Full article

The continuous monitoring of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) plays a crucial role in improving our understanding of the prominent parameters affecting building users’ health and perception of their environment. In field studies, indoor environment monitoring often does not go beyond the assessment of air temperature, relative humidity, and CO₂ concentration, lacking consideration of other important parameters due to budget constraints and the complexity of multi-dimensional signal analyses. In this paper, we introduce the Environmental Quality bOX (EQ-OX) system, which was designed for the simultaneous monitoring of quantities of some of the main IEQs with a low level of uncertainty and an affordable cost. Up to 15 parameters can be acquired at a time. The system embeds only low-cost sensors (LCSs) within a compact case, enabling vast-scale monitoring campaigns in residential and office buildings. The results of our laboratory and field tests show that most of the selected LCSs can match the accuracy required for indoor campaigns. A lightweight data processing algorithm has been used for the benchmark. Our intent is to estimate the correlation achievable between the detected quantities and reference measurements when a linear correction is applied. Such an approach allows for a preliminary assessment of which LCSs are the most suitable for a cost-effective IEQ monitoring system. Full article

With rapid global economic growth and a rise in disposable household income, particularly within a progressively warming planet, the escalating demand for energy to achieve thermal comfort has become a salient concern in the Global South, notably in emerging economies like India. This burgeoning need for cooling solutions has not only underscored the vital role of energy consumption but has also accentuated the imperative of comprehending the ensuing implications for electricity policy and strategic planning, particularly within the ambit of the Global South. This study explored the nuanced landscape of active cooling within an intentional community, Auroville, in southern India, aiming to discern the factors underpinning household preferences and practices in the pursuit of thermal comfort. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study contributed empirically and methodologically to the interdisciplinary discourse by analysing residential electricity consumption patterns and cooling practices within selected households in the specified community. The study unfolded in three methodological stages: firstly, an analysis of climatic data coupled with an environmental stress index (ESI) assessment; secondly, the monitoring of end-user electricity consumption followed by rigorous data analysis; and lastly, the utilisation of qualitative in-depth interviews and observational techniques. This study’s outcome yielded empirical insights into the unprecedented shifts in the ESI for Auroville since 2014. Furthermore, the study unravelled the intricate complexities inherent in occupant behaviour within residential structures, thereby offering valuable insights into the practices that shape householders’ cooling preferences. This research enriched the understanding of the dynamics of energy consumption in the pursuit of thermal comfort and contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable development and energy policy in the context of climate change. Full article