Search Results (1,069)

Using a balanced panel of ten major fishing and trading nations (China, Chile, Indonesia, Peru, Thailand, Vietnam, Norway, India, Denmark, and Canada) over the years 2000–2020, this study investigated the relationship between international fishery trade and the fishing footprint, a consumption-based ecological indicator measuring the bioproductive marine area required to sustain seafood consumption. Cross-sectional dependence tests, second-generation panel unit root tests (PANICCA), LM bootstrap cointegration analysis, and long-run coefficient estimation using fully modified OLS (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS), fixed effects, and method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) are all part of the sequential econometric framework used in this analysis. Findings consistently show that the domestic fishing footprint is positively correlated with imports, domestic production, real GDP, and per capita food consumption, but adversely correlated with fishery exports. Additionally, MMQR estimates show that the negative export link becomes stronger at higher quantiles of the distribution of fishing footprint, indicating that the moderating influence of exports is strongest in nations that are already under a lot of ecological strain. Although the panel data do not allow for direct dissection of these channels, these findings are interpreted considering three potential mechanisms: certification-linked catch limits, aquaculture substitution in export volumes, and distant-water fleet displacement. It is recommended that policymakers include sustainability criteria into import laws, broaden the scope of eco-certification, and make investments in aquaculture to supplement the management of wild-capture fisheries. The findings of this study contribute significantly to the monitoring of global sustainability agendas, particularly aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by providing empirical evidence on how trade dynamics influence the fishing footprint. Full article

This study compares environmental goal-setting and monitoring priorities of EMAS-registered and non-EMAS organizations in the European Union. Using a dataset of 847 organizations and exploratory factor analysis, it examines differences in the structure of environmental objectives and indicators. The results show that EMAS-registered organizations prioritize operational performance and continuous improvement, while non-EMAS organizations focus more on regulatory compliance, awareness-building, and external communication. EMAS participation is associated with a more integrated and strategic approach to environmental management, linking objectives with measurable performance indicators. In contrast, non-EMAS organizations often adopt more symbolic or externally oriented practices driven by legal and reputational concerns. To isolate the effects of formal verification and transparency, ISO 14001 certification is not treated separately; instead, EMAS organizations are compared with all non-EMAS entities. The findings provide new empirical evidence on how voluntary environmental schemes shape organizational behavior by improving alignment between goals and indicators. They also offer practical guidance for organizations preparing for the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), highlighting EMAS as a model for credible, performance-based environmental reporting. Full article

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of emerging technologies for the greening of aviation, how they can be applied to different classes of aircraft, and the challenges to be overcome in achieving efficiency and environmental objectives. The following steps are part of the journey towards the greening of aviation: (i) developing and maturing new technologies, including electrification and sustainable fuels; (ii) where possible, using new technologies in the current fleet to maximize short-term benefits—i.e., EU Fit for 55; (iii) when it is not possible to retrofit new technologies to current aircraft, incorporating them into new next-generation aircraft designs from 2035; and (iv) replacing existing fleets with new, cleaner aircraft to meet the ICAO Net Zero 2050 goal. These technologies of prime importance will have to be supplemented by operational, regulatory, and economic enablers to support wide deployment. There will not be one solution that meets the requirements of all aircraft classes or mission profiles, but rather a combination of electrification, hydrogen propulsion, and sustainable aviation fuels will be required. Achievement of aviation’s environmental goals will hence not solely be a function of technological progress but also certification pathways, investment in infrastructure, and integrated policy strategies. Full article

This study examines the relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance and financing and pricing outcomes in green and conventional bond markets in China over the period of 2017–2024. Drawing on signaling theory, information asymmetry theory, and market segmentation theory, the study argues that the role of ESG performance differs across bond types because green and conventional bonds operate within different institutional and informational environments. Using a comparative analysis of green and conventional bonds, the findings show that ESG performance is more strongly and consistently associated with conventional bond characteristics, particularly in relation to issuance amount, yield to maturity, and credit spreads. In contrast, ESG effects in green bonds are weaker and less consistent, suggesting that investors place greater emphasis on certification mechanisms, environmental project objectives, and sustainability-related bond characteristics than on broader issuer-level ESG disclosures. The findings also suggest that ESG information does not affect all debt instruments in the same way or always functions as a purely risk-reducing signal. In the Chinese market, stronger ESG exposure may also be associated with transition risks, regulatory pressures, and sector-specific sustainability challenges, particularly in conventional bond markets. Overall, the results indicate that the financial relevance of ESG performance depends not only on firm characteristics but also on the institutional and informational environment of the financial instrument itself. The findings remain robust across alternative model specifications and sensitivity analyses, providing additional confidence in the reported differences between green and conventional bond markets. The study contributes to the sustainable finance literature by showing that the pricing relevance of ESG information is instrument-specific rather than uniform across debt markets. It also provides practical implications for regulators, investors, and issuers by highlighting the importance of disclosure quality, transparency standards, and external verification mechanisms in strengthening investor confidence and reducing potential greenwashing risks in sustainable finance markets. Full article

Autonomous robotic systems are being deployed in commercial, healthcare, logistics, and mixed-use built environments at a rate that significantly outpaces the adaptive capacity of existing building design and management paradigms. Buildings have historically been conceived exclusively for human occupants, and the resulting absence of a structured, scalable framework for evaluating or designing robot-ready facilities constitutes a critical gap in both research and professional practice. This article introduces the Robot-Friendly Buildings Level of Service (RFB-LOS) framework: a five-tier hierarchical classification system that characterises the degree to which a built environment supports autonomous robotic operations across six evaluative dimensions—building intelligence, active infrastructure, architectural planning, accessibility, observability, and safety. The framework spans a continuum from Robot Excluded (RFB-LOS-1), in which a building has no awareness of its robotic occupants, to Physical AI Robot Optimised (RFB-LOS-5), in which a Physical AI middleware layer assumes the highest command authority within a coordinated human–robot–building ecosystem. Drawing structural inspiration from the SAE J3016 Levels of Driving Automation, the EU Smart Readiness Indicator, HIMSS EMRAM, and BREEAM/LEED sustainability certification, the RFB-LOS framework is positioned as a foundational standard for the built environment and systems engineering community. Five real-world case studies spanning retail, hospitality, healthcare, and corporate sectors across four countries validate the framework’s tier assignments against observed operational outcomes. Full article

Climate change adaptation in buildings is an expanding field, yet methodological approaches remain diverse and fragmented, with no widely adopted unified assessment framework. This study aims to identify and synthesize existing methods and frameworks used to assess climate change adaptation in buildings. A scoping review was conducted to map key concepts, methodological trends, and knowledge gaps in the literature. Following database screening and study selection, 50 articles published between 2010 and 2026 (including one online-first paper with a nominal publication year 2026) were analysed according to assessment methods, frameworks, hazards, building typologies, life-cycle stages, and climate zones. The findings indicate a strong reliance on simulation-based and indicator-based approaches. Heatwaves are the most frequently examined hazard, while thermal comfort is the most commonly assessed adaptation-related outcome; comprehensive multi-hazard assessments remain relatively scarce. Established sustainability certification schemes and technical standards are often adapted for this purpose, whereas dedicated climate adaptation assessment frameworks remain limited. Overall, the field is characterized by considerable methodological fragmentation, highlighting the need for integrated multi-criteria evaluation frameworks that better connect building-scale technical assessment with broader climate policy objectives. Full article

Green prepared dishes are an emerging food-consumption format that links convenience, food safety, and sustainable consumption. In this study, “green” denotes a sustainability-oriented product profile involving food-safety assurance, resource-conscious packaging or sourcing, and waste-reduction potential, rather than formal organic certification. However, existing studies have mainly relied on linear behavioral models and have paid limited attention to nonlinear and asymmetric consumer decision mechanisms. This study integrates the stimulus–organism–response framework with explainable machine learning to predict consumers’ sustainable purchase intention toward green prepared dishes. Based on 805 valid questionnaires collected in Jilin Province, China, predictors were organized into three dimensions: environmental and health cognition, socioeconomic and infrastructural conditions, and sustainable behavioral propensity. The sample represents a regional online consumer profile in Jilin Province rather than a national probability sample. Six classifiers were trained using SMOTE–Tomek resampling and Optuna-based hyperparameter optimization. XGBoost achieved the best predictive performance, with an F1-score of 0.894, an AUC of 0.934, and an MCC of 0.702. Unlike conventional black-box machine learning, the SHAP-based interpretation translated ensemble predictions into transparent feature-level and case-level explanations. Accordingly, the model interpretations are framed as predictive associations rather than causal mechanisms. The study reveals an asymmetric decision pattern in which core behavioral willingness functions as a non-compensatory barrier, while channel convenience, delivery efficiency, and after-sales support facilitate purchase intention among consumers who already show high behavioral readiness. The findings suggest that green prepared-dish strategies should prioritize trust-based advocacy and word-of-mouth, reliable channel design, low-risk trial experiences, and collaborative food-safety governance rather than relying only on short-term traffic acquisition. Full article

Maintaining consistent quality performance of recycled aggregates is essential for their reliable use in construction applications. This study evaluated whether the regulatory revision permitting concurrent appointment of quality and environmental managers affected post-certification quality test performance within Korea’s recycled aggregate certification system. Extending a previous 2025 audit-based study, this research analyzed 311 certification-application-level follow-up quality test results obtained during the 2023 national post-certification management process. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, odds ratio comparisons, and subgroup analyses, were conducted according to management structure, personnel change status, and recycled aggregate application type. The results showed that concurrent appointment and personnel changes were not associated with statistically significant deterioration in post-certification quality test performance. In contrast, the recycled aggregate application type showed substantially greater influence on pass/fail outcomes, with relatively higher failure risks observed in concrete and fine aggregate applications requiring stricter quality control conditions. Road construction and asphalt concrete applications generally maintained relatively stable pass rates regardless of management structure or personnel continuity conditions. The subgroup analyses additionally showed that concurrent appointment did not significantly increase failure risk within any recycled aggregate application category. These findings indicate that concurrent appointment did not significantly deteriorate actual post-certification quality performance within the analyzed national certification dataset. Full article

Sustainable building practices can reduce environmental harm and support resilient urban development. To aid built-environment professionals such as architects, building scientists and planners in accomplishing regenerative design objectives, a variety of building rating and accreditation schemes have been developed, such as Greenstar or the Living Building Challenge. These schemes primarily focus on sustainability targets, such as energy and water use. Biodiversity considerations, despite their importance for ecosystem services and human health, are predominantly absent as core objectives in the building rating tools currently in use. To address this gap, we introduce the New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Building (NZBF-B), a tool created to educate and incentivise the integration of biodiversity into buildings by assessing their biodiversity value, with a focus on prioritising native species. We outline the development of the NZBF-B, including its components, its scoring methodology, and an expert-informed weighting process used to determine the ecological relevance of each category. The tool captures key characteristics of building-associated biodiversity through measurable indicators that reflect both habitat provision and opportunities to strengthen human–nature connection. We advocate for the use of the NZBF-B alongside existing certification schemes to achieve more effective green building performance outcomes related to biodiversity. Full article

As sustainable finance continues to advance, an important question is how scientifically designed and well-targeted policies can curb corporate ESG greenwashing and improve the quality of firms’ ESG and sustainability disclosure. From the perspective of fiscal–financial policy coordination, we exploit the green loan interest subsidy policy (GLIS) as a quasi-natural experiment and develop an analytical framework around four policy components: commercial banks’ information screening, local governments’ green screening, the subsidy instrument’s leverage and certification effects, and firms’ internal green governance. Within this framework, we examine whether the GLIS can restrain corporate ESG greenwashing. Using Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2022 as the sample and identifying the effect through a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model, we find that the GLIS significantly curbs corporate ESG greenwashing. In exploring the underlying channels, we find that the GLIS curbs corporate ESG greenwashing by strengthening commercial banks’ information screening, enhancing local governments’ green screening, easing firms’ external financing constraints, and reinforcing firms’ internal green governance. Further analysis indicates that the inhibitory effect of the GLIS on corporate ESG greenwashing is more pronounced among non-state-owned firms, firms in the growth stage, firms in heavily polluting industries, and firms located in regions with weaker resource endowments. In addition, the stronger a firm’s digital technology R&D capability and corporate governance capability, the greater the restraining effect of the GLIS on its ESG greenwashing. By systematically evaluating the governance effect of fiscal–financial policy coordination on corporate ESG greenwashing, our study provides useful insights for governments seeking to improve green finance policies and optimize the coordination of green policy instruments. Full article

Using a complex network evolutionary game model, this study examines the effects of policy incentives, certification mechanisms, price premiums, production costs, and neighborhood learning on farmers’ adoption of organic farming technologies. It aims to reveal the dynamic mechanisms of organic farming technology diffusion under subsidy policies and certification mechanisms. Numerical simulations are conducted to analyze the effects of the subsidy rate and the effectiveness of organic certification on the diffusion level of organic farming technologies. The results show that both subsidy policies and certification mechanisms can promote the diffusion of organic farming technologies; however, the effect of subsidy policies is relatively limited, whereas certification mechanisms play a more significant role. Furthermore, the effects of the subsidy rate and certification effectiveness are influenced by factors such as the proportion of consumers with a preference for organic products, increased production costs, and the organic price premium. Under different levels of bounded rationality and strategy updating rules, the combined “subsidy–certification” policy consistently outperforms single-policy scenarios, with certification mechanisms generally exerting a stronger promotional effect than subsidy policies. In addition, the initial adoption proportion and network size also affect the evolutionary outcomes of the system. A higher initial adoption proportion cannot sustain a higher steady-state diffusion level in the long run, while an increase in network size tends to weaken the effectiveness of policy interventions. Finally, this study proposes policy recommendations, including improving certification and market development mechanisms and strengthening information dissemination and technical service systems, thereby providing practical insights for promoting the diffusion of organic farming technologies. Full article

Botanical gardens are multifunctional institutions that perform a wide range of functions using limited resources. Their social significance has grown alongside global challenges like biodiversity loss, the climate crisis, and food security, as well as the need to train future professionals. This study analyzes public preferences for the diverse functions of botanical gardens to inform sustainable management strategies, using the Sejong National Arboretum in South Korea as a case study. We identified seven attributes, including five traditional functions (collection, conservation, research, exhibition, and education) and two extended functions (healing and networking) that reflect the contemporary roles of botanical gardens. We conducted a discrete choice experiment in 2024 with 1200 respondents to assess preferences and marginal willingness to pay. Respondents showed the strongest preferences for research commercialization and global conservation, followed by urban outreach in healing. In contrast, we observed negative marginal willingness to pay values for exhibition, professional certification, national networking, and nationwide outreach in healing. Our findings indicate that the public interest in botanical garden activities extends beyond visitor-oriented functions to include conservation, research commercialization, and locally embedded healing services. These results offer an empirical basis for resource allocation and sustainable management strategies in botanical gardens. Full article

As plant-based diets catalyze a global shift toward sustainable consumption, Chinese plant-based food firms are experiencing rapid growth and seeking to expand their international footprint. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the internationalization performance of these firms by integrating the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework with a configurational perspective. We operationalize nine antecedents across three dimensions: the technological dimension (technological maturity, supply chain resilience, and digital transformation), the organizational dimension (food safety certification intensity, strategic partnership intensity, and talent acquisition intensity), and the environmental dimension (market adaptability, compliance and risk management, and product line breadth). Utilizing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on a sample of N = 29 publicly listed Chinese plant-based firms, this research identifies three distinct equifinal pathways to superior internationalization performance. The first is the Collaboration-Compliance configuration (Organization–Environment-driven), which is primarily characterized by the synergy between strategic partnerships and regulatory risk management. The second is the Supply Chain-Compliance-Product Diversification configuration (Technology-Environment-driven), where international success is predicated on the interplay among supply chain resilience, institutional compliance, and product variety. The third is the Full-Factor Synergy configuration (Technology-Organization-Environment jointly driven), which emphasizes a holistic coupling of technological innovation, organizational coordination, and external institutional adaptation. By uncovering these complex causal mechanisms, this study moves beyond traditional linear analysis to reveal how diverse capability configurations can lead to equivalent internationalization outcomes. The findings provide actionable strategic guidance for firms navigating the global plant-based market and offer theoretical insights for policy frameworks supporting sustainable dietary transitions. Full article

This study examines the global wood products market to propose an eco-label for the Chilean sector with an international orientation. A national prior certification framework and governance structure were established, aligned with international regulations to ensure compliance with target market standards. By doing so, the initiative aims to expedite the entry of Chilean products into foreign markets while incentivizing the supply and demand for sustainable goods locally. Through a historical review of eco-labels and an assessment of environmental declarations in the timber industry, this research identified critical regulations and designed a comprehensive management model. The findings reveal that existing certifications predominantly focus on indoor air quality (IAQ), specifically regarding volatile organic compound (VOC) and formaldehyde (HCHO) emissions in wood products for the construction sector (CLT, GLULAM, panels, etc.) using fossil-based adhesives. This study concluded that governance should be spearheaded by the Chilean Environment Ministry in collaboration with a specialized technical committee. Consequently, as a result, a hybrid (quantitative and qualitative) eco-label is proposed to communicate emissions limit compliance, enabling Chilean firms to report it emissions, prior to initiating formal international certification processes. Full article

Environmental governance plays a critical role in shaping the effectiveness of sustainability certification implementation in perennial plantation systems, particularly in oil palm plantation landscapes associated with forest transformation and socio-ecological risks. In Indonesia, the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) scheme functions as a mandatory certification system aimed at strengthening environmental accountability. However, variations in implementation outcomes suggest that compliance alone does not guarantee effective certification implementation. This study examines how internal governance mechanisms shape ISPO implementation within a specific plantation organizational context by focusing on the transition from compliance-oriented practices to sustainability-oriented commitment. Using survey data from an ISPO-certified plantation in West Kalimantan and applying partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the study tests a mediation model linking green training effectiveness, sustainable work environment, and environmental compliance transparency to certification outcomes through corporate environmental commitment. The results show that Corporate Environmental Commitment fully mediates the effects of Green Training Effectiveness and Sustainable Work Environment on ISPO Implementation Success, indicating that organizational conditions contribute to certification effectiveness only when they are translated into governance commitment. In contrast, Environmental Compliance Transparency does not significantly influence commitment formation or certification outcomes. These findings suggest that effective certification implementation depends less on procedural compliance and more on the internalization of environmental priorities into organizational governance routines. The study contributes to the environmental governance literature by demonstrating that sustainability certification effectiveness emerges through governance internalization processes rather than through organizational practices alone. Full article