Search Results (3,837)

This paper analyzes environmental performance indicators (PIs) in the construction and building industry using bibliometric and content analysis, particularly in the fields of architecture and civil engineering. The paper aims to present a framework for environmental performance in the construction industry, focusing on projects and their impacts. It addresses which research fields are most focused on this area, whether the topic is currently relevant, whether it shows a positive or negative trend, what related topics exist, and what general overlaps or gaps are present. It also examines which PIs are most frequently mentioned and whether the topics and indicators align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The results reveal a fragmented research area, with both complex PIs and very narrow PI applications, highlighting the need to bridge these gaps and address the challenge of insufficient data. The research uses QtoQ Target Mapping to map the PIs to the UN SDGs and provide an overview of coverage. The findings indicate that this topic is highly important and researched across various disciplines, and that the PIs and their analysis further contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

Financial literacy is essential for sustainable social and economic development, but several demographics and financial behaviors can influence informed decision-making. In this investigation, we examine the interaction between Financial Literacy (FL) and Financial Wellbeing and Behavior (FWB) across 286 Brazilian education professionals. We employ a two-step approach for analysis: step one is determining the influential demographic variables for Financial Literacy (FL); in step two, FL serves as a primary variable for explaining Financial Wellbeing and Behavior (FWB). We utilize both multiple regressions and supervised machine learning for factor verification for both concepts. The findings show that superior Financial Literacy is a highly significant and substantial positive antecedent of excellent Financial Wellbeing and Behavior ($p<0.01$). We also find that a significant gender gap exists in financial knowledge, such that women significantly underperform men on financial literacy tests. Machine learning models confirm that FL is the strongest feature for FWB prediction by far and that gender is the strongest antecedent of a consumer’s level of financial literacy. These findings suggest that policymakers must do more than provide primary financial literacy; they also need to deploy behavioral insights to raise long-term financial freedom and close the gender gap. Upscaling teacher financial literacy is a strategic social sustainability investment that promotes the explicit Sustainable Development Goals, including “Quality Education,” “Gender Equality,” “Decent Work” and “Economic Growth”. Full article

This research study addresses the critical contradiction within global food systems: unsustainable consumption patterns and persistent food insecurity coexist and are exacerbated by food waste, which deepens socioeconomic inequalities and generates negative environmental externalities. In this scenario, higher education plays a central role in adopting comprehensive strategic frameworks to develop specialized human capital and influence society. This study analyzes a Service Learning model that integrates the CFS-IRA Principles to promote the SDGs and ensure responsible consumption. Based on a case study of the Food Bank Chair spanning 10 years and 212 projects, the implementation of this model was evaluated using the Working with People (WWP) method, which combines the development of postgraduate students’ skills with community service to address social problems. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the SL-WWP model in strengthening students’ technical, social, and ethical competencies while reducing food waste. The evaluation showed strong alignment with key SDGs, with outstanding performance in governance, although the need to strengthen environmental and social criteria was identified. The originality lies in integrating the CFS-IRA Principles into an SL model that encourages innovative cooperation among universities, civil society, and public–private sectors, offering a replicable proposal for higher education institutions to establish themselves as agents of change towards sustainability. Full article

Achieving the UN sustainable development goals is most effectively realized through the participation of each country and each individual region. Within the framework of regional governance, this requires aligning the social needs, economic feasibility, and environmental constraints of each region. Kazakhstan’s regions vary significantly in their levels of socio-economic progress, based on the differences in resources, infrastructure, population, and industry specialization. Currently, there is no clear system for assessing the feasibility of achieving the sustainable development goals in the country’s regions. This hinders the development of systemic measures to implement the SDGs and achieve the accepted commitments. This study aims to develop a methodology for rating regional development sustainability based on existing assessment methods and approaches. A study of leading global research and expert assessments served as the basis for the National Rating of Sustainable Development of Regions (NRSD), which was tested using empirical data from Kazakhstan. The results of the analysis of the economic and social development of regions confirmed the need to use environmental, social, and economic indicators as key criteria for the NRSD. The paper identifies the main limitations encountered during the research process, provides ways to mitigate them, and suggests paths to expand opportunities. The main emphasis is placed on recommendations for updating the methodology for collecting sustainable data at the regional level. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oman Vision 2040, the national blueprint for socio-economic transformation, aims to elevate the Sultanate to developed nation status, with the “Health” priority committed to building a “Leading Healthcare System with International Standards” via a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This paper critically reviews Oman’s strategic health directions and implementation frameworks under Vision 2040, assessing their alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serving as a case model for health system transformation. Methods: This study employs a critical narrative synthesis based on a comprehensive literature search that included academic, official government reports, and international organization sources. The analysis is guided by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Systems Framework, providing a structured interpretation of progress across its six building blocks. Results: Key interventions implemented include integrated governance (e.g., Committee for Managing and Regulating Healthcare), diversified health financing (e.g., public private partnership (PPPs), Health Endowment Foundation), and strategic digital transformation (e.g., Al-Shifa system, AI diagnostics). Performance metrics show progress, with a rise in the Legatum Prosperity Index ranking and an increase in the Community Satisfaction Rate. However, critical challenges persist, including resistance to change during governance restructuring, cybersecurity risks from digital adoption, and system fragmentation that complicates a unified Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) response. Conclusions: Oman’s integrated approach, emphasizing decentralization, quality improvement, and investment in preventive health and human capital, positions it for sustained progress. The transformation offers generalizable insights. Successfully realizing Vision 2040 demands rigorous, evidence-informed policymaking to effectively address equity implications and optimize resource allocation. Full article

Shellfish aquaculture is considered a major pillar of the seafood industry for its high market value, which increases the value for global food security and sustainability, often constrained in terms of conventional, labor-intensive practices. This review outlines the importance of automation and its advances in the shellfish value chain, starting from the hatchery operations to harvesting, processing, traceability, and logistics. Emerging technologies such as imaging, computer vision, artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, blockchain, and RFID provide a major impact in transforming the shellfish sector by improving the efficiency, reducing the labor costs and environmental impacts, enhancing the food safety, and providing transparency throughout the supply chain. The studies involving the bivalves and crustaceans on their automated feeding, harvesting, grading, depuration, non-destructive quality assessments, and smart monitoring in transportation are highlighted in this review to address concerns involved with conventional practices. The review puts forth the need for integrating automated technologies into farm management and post-harvest operations to scale shellfish aquaculture sustainably, meeting the rising global demand while aligning with the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Biomass is commonly used for cooking in developing countries, but traditional cookstoves emit pollutants (CO, NO_x, PM), which harm indoor air quality. Improvements and solutions are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). This study assesses the impact of the combustion chamber design, the combustion-air/gasification-air ratio (CA/GA = 2.8, 3.0, and 3.2), and the start type of water boiling test (WBT) protocol (cold and hot starts) on the chemical and morphological characteristics of the total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) emitted from a biomass gasification-based cookstove using densified biomass as feedstock. TSPM was characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Raman Spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to evaluate their chemical composition and morphological features under the above operational conditions. Under the modified WBT protocol, the cookstove achieved CO levels ranging from 1.52 to 2.13 g/MJ_d, and efficiency between 26.56% and 27.81%. TSPM emissions ranged between ~74 and 122.70 mg/MJ_d. The chemical characteristics of TSPM surface functional groups weren’t affected by the start condition, except for decreased intensities as CA/GA increased, promoting oxidation and removal as CO/CO₂. While cold start produced TSPM with higher structural order at higher CA/GA levels, no significant differences were observed among samples from both start conditions at CA/GA ³ 3.0, indicating chemical and structural similarity. Morphology and particle size were mainly unaffected, with only slight increases in particle size during hot start due to higher biomass-to-air ratios. Full article

Understanding the factors that influence the Consumption Footprint (CF) is essential for advancing sustainable development within the European Union. This study investigates the most impactful indicators affecting CF, aligning the analysis with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are grouped into five thematic clusters: economic conditions, globalization, health, environmental awareness, and cultural factors. To identify key drivers, the research employs a dual-method approach: Graphical representations and correlation analyses and machine learning via Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), supported by statistical analysis using non-parametric tests. Data from Romania (2012–2023) were used to evaluate the influence of variables such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Price Level Indices (CPI), Unemployment Rate (UNE), and Circular Material Use Rate (CMU) on CF. The results reveal that GDP and CPI are the most influential variables, together accounting for over 64% of the impact on CF, followed by UNE and CMU. The study concludes that economic indicators play a dominant role in shaping consumption-related environmental impact. The proposed framework is replicable and adaptable, offering valuable insights for policymakers and researchers aiming to accelerate progress toward EU sustainability targets. Full article

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires integrated interventions that leverage synergies and minimize trade-offs across sectors and institutions. However, siloed institutional structures often prevent such alignment. Using panel data from 361 households and a difference-in-differences approach, this study examines how an integrated landscape restoration intervention, combining homestead gardening, soil and water conservation (SWC), and credit provision, affects SDG outcomes in rural Ethiopia. The study evaluated impacts on SDG-1 (no poverty), SDG-2 (zero-hunger), SDG-13 (climate-action), and SDG-15 (life-on-land) outcomes. Results indicate no statistically significant outcomes from single-intervention participation. Among dual interventions, SWC + credit improved all SDG indicators except SDG-1, while homestead gardening + SWC showed limited impacts. These results suggest that credit provision plays a critical catalyst in widening the impact of biophysical interventions across multiple SDGs. Participation in the full tripartite intervention induced significant, synergistic improvements across all SDG outcomes. These findings provide empirical evidence that bundling biophysical restoration with socio-economic interventions maximizes synergies. The results also underscore the need to inform integrated development approaches using ex-ante analysis of potential synergies and trade-offs among interventions to optimize efficacy and avoid unintended consequences. The findings offer critical guidance for evidence-based multi-objective policy formulation to advance the 2030 Agenda. Full article

This study investigated the long-term trends in human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) types 1, 2, and 3 in Korea by year, age group, and season. A total of 23,284 nasopharyngeal swabs collected from patients with respiratory symptoms at a tertiary hospital in Korea between 2007 and 2024 were tested for HPIV using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Of the 23,284 specimens tested, 481 were positive for HPIV-1, 164 for HPIV-2, and 1102 for HPIV-3. HPIV-3 showed the highest incidence between 2010 and 2016, a decline after 2018, a sharp decline during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and a resurgence in 2021. HPIV-1 and HPIV-2 incidence fluctuated between 2007 and 2019, followed by a sharp decline in 2020. HPIV-3 activity peaked in spring and summer, whereas HPIV-1 and HPIV-2 peaked in autumn. For all three types, infection rates were generally highest among children aged 1–12 years, followed by those in infants, but infection rates varied significantly by type, year, season, and age group. These findings emphasize targeted pediatric prevention, predictive modeling of seasonal peaks, and continued molecular surveillance to clarify the genetic and antigenic diversity of HPIV types after the pandemic, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 for Good Health and Well-Being). Full article

This study investigates the systemic interrelations between logistics performance, environmental performance, sustainable development progress, and institutional governance. While the existing literature often examines these dimensions separately, this research conceptualizes them as co-determined drivers of national development. Using data from 123 countries, the analysis integrates four composite indices—Logistics Performance Index (LPI), Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Sustainable Development Goals Index (SDG), and Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI)—alongside GDP per capita. Methodologically, this study applies multiple linear regressions and correlation analyses to assess the associations among these variables and employs Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) to simulate scenario-based systemic interactions. Results show that all ESG indicators are positively and significantly associated with LPI, with WGI exerting the strongest effect. In turn, LPI, EPI, SDG, and WGI jointly explain 81.7% of the variance in GDP per capita, confirming their integrated role in shaping economic performance. FCM simulations further reveal that both environmental and institutional improvements generate reinforcing effects on logistics capacity and GDP outcomes. This study’s originality lies in its multiple-method approach and its synthesis of ESG and logistics performance metrics into a unified explanatory framework. It contributes to development studies by highlighting the structural embeddedness of logistics within broader institutional and sustainability ecosystems. Its policy implication lies in suggesting that integrated reforms—combining infrastructure, regulatory quality, and environmental stewardship—are essential for enhancing long-term national competitiveness and resilience. Full article

This study addressed the persistent limitation of discontinuous and labor-intensive compost monitoring procedures by developing and field-validating a low-cost sensor system for monitoring oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄) under tropical windrow conditions. In contrast to laboratory-restricted studies, this framework integrated rigorous calibration, multi-layer statistical validation, and process optimization into a unified, real-time adaptive design. Experimental validation was performed across three independent composting replicates to ensure reproducibility and account for environmental variability. Calibration using ISO-traceable gas standards generated linear correction models, confirming sensor accuracy within ±1.5% for O₂, ±304 ppm for CO₂, and ±1.3 ppm for CH₄. Expanded uncertainties (U₉₅) remained within acceptable limits for composting applications, reinforcing the precision and reproducibility of the calibration framework. Sensor reliability and agreement with reference instruments were statistically validated using analysis of variance (ANOVA), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland–Altman analysis. Validation against a reference multi-gas analyzer demonstrated laboratory-grade accuracy, with ICC values exceeding 0.97, ANOVA showing no significant phase-wise differences (p > 0.95), and Bland–Altman plots confirming near-zero bias and narrow agreement limits. Ecological interdependencies were also captured, with O₂ strongly anticorrelated to CO₂ (r = −0.967) and CH₄ moderately correlated with pH (r = 0.756), consistent with microbial respiration and methanogenic activities. Nutrient analyses indicated compost maturity, marked by increases in nitrogen (+31.7%), phosphorus (+87.7%), and potassium (+92.3%). Regression analysis revealed that ambient temperature explained 25.8% of CO₂ variability (slope = 520 ppm °C⁻¹, p = 0.021), whereas O₂ and CH₄ remained unaffected. Overall, these findings validate the developed sensors as accurate and resilient tools, enabling real-time adaptive intervention, advancing sustainable waste valorization, and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 13. Full article

Engineering education for sustainability extends beyond environmental awareness. It is aimed at the cultivation of resilient and self-regulated learners capable of continuous growth. The present work draws upon empirical data from three complementary investigations on first-year engineering students’ affective behavior, mathematical difficulties and the use of online quizzes as self-assessment tools. By integrating these findings, the paper proposes a framework for sustainable learning practices in engineering mathematics. The results highlight that affective factors, such as confidence, self-efficacy and motivation, interact significantly with students’ self-regulatory strategies and performance outcomes. Digital self-assessment tools, when purposefully designed, can promote metacognitive reflection and foster a sustainable cycle of feedback and self-improvement. The study argues that sustainable education in engineering must include pedagogical approaches that empower students with interindividual differences to manage their own learning, overcome affective barriers and develop adaptive resilience in demanding quantitative subjects. The proposed model offers practical implications for designing assessment systems that support long-term learner autonomy and well-being, aligning engineering mathematics education with the broader goals of sustainable development. In alignment with SDG 4.7 and the European Skills Agenda, which both emphasize lifelong learning, learner autonomy and the cultivation of adaptive competences for sustainable futures, the proposed framework positions self-regulation and resilience as core sustainability-oriented outcomes in engineering mathematics education. Full article

Ammonia (NH₃) is a major anthropogenic pollutant originating from agricultural activity, particularly livestock operations. NH₃ emissions from livestock slurry storage pose risks to environmental quality and human health. Reducing NH₃ emissions aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3, SDG 12, SDG 14, and SDG 15. This study evaluates the performance of the commercially available SOP^® LAGOON additive under real-scale farm conditions for mitigating NH₃ emissions. Two adjacent slurry storage tanks of a dairy farm in Northern Italy were monitored from 27 May to 7 September: one treated with SOP^® LAGOON and one left untreated (serving as a control). In the first month, the treated tank showed a 77% reduction in NH₃ emissions. Emissions from the treated tank remained consistently lower than those from the control throughout the monitoring period, reaching an 87% reduction relative to the baseline levels by the end of the period. The results suggest that SOP^® LAGOON is an effective and scalable strategy for reducing NH₃ emissions from liquid manure storage, with practical implications for farmers and policy makers in regard to designing sustainable manure management practices. Full article

Glyphosate, a widely used non-selective herbicide, has been a subject of intense scientific debate due to its environmental persistence and potential health risks. This review examines glyphosate’s mechanisms of action, its effects on crop production, and its broader environmental impact, including soil degradation, water contamination, and biodiversity loss. Furthermore, it examines the expanding body of research linking glyphosate exposure to various human health concerns, including metabolic, neurological, reproductive, and oncological disorders. The review also assesses glyphosate’s role in hindering the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to food security, health, access to clean water, and the protection of marine ecosystems. Finally, potential alternatives to glyphosate-based weed control, including organic and non-chemical methods, are discussed to promote sustainable agricultural practices that balance productivity with ecological and public health considerations. The evidence reviewed highlights glyphosate’s pervasive presence across ecosystems and its potential to disrupt both environmental and human health. The findings underscore the urgent need to regulate glyphosate use, prioritize soil and water protection, and accelerate the transition toward sustainable, low-toxicity weed management strategies that align with global sustainability objectives. Full article