Bioeconomy and ethnopharmacology - Translational perspective and sustainability of the bioresources of northeast region of India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The ecological environment of Northeast region of India (NER), with its high humidity, has resulted in greater speciation and genetic diversity of plant, animal, and microbial species. This region is not only rich in ethnic and cultural diversity, but it is also a major biodiversity hotspot. The sustainable use of these bioresources can contribute to the region's bioeconomic development.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The review aimed to deliver various perspectives on the development of bioeconomy from NER bioresources under the tenets of sustainable utilization and socioeconomic expansion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant information related to prospects of the approaches and techniques pertaining to the sustainable use of ethnomedicine resources for the growth of the bioeconomy were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Springer from 1984 to 2023. All the appropriate abstracts, full-text articles and various book chapters on bioeconomy and ethnopharmacology were conferred.

RESULT

As the population grows, so does the demand for basic necessities such as food, health, and energy resources, where insufficient resource utilization and unsustainable pattern of material consumption cause impediments to economic development. On the other hand, the bioeconomy concept leads to "the production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value-added products.

CONCLUSIONS

In this context, major emphasis should be placed on strengthening the economy's backbone in order to ensure sustainable use of these resources and livelihood security; in other words, it can boost the bio-economy by empowering the local people in general.

Causes and consequences of tipping points in river delta social-ecological systems

The sustainability of social-ecological systems within river deltas globally is in question as rapid development and environmental change trigger "negative" or "positive" tipping points depending on actors' perspectives, e.g. regime shift from abundant sediment deposition to sediment shortage, agricultural sustainability to agricultural collapse or shift from rural to urban land use. Using a systematic review of the literature, we show how cascading effects across anthropogenic, ecological, and geophysical processes have triggered numerous tipping points in the governance, hydrological, and land-use management of the world's river deltas. Crossing tipping points had both positive and negative effects that generally enhanced economic development to the detriment of the environment. Assessment of deltas that featured prominently in the review revealed how outcomes of tipping points can inform the long-term trajectory of deltas towards sustainability or collapse. Management of key drivers at the delta scale can trigger positive tipping points to place social-ecological systems on a pathway towards sustainable development.

Sustainable coffee: A review of the diverse initiatives and governance dimensions of global coffee supply chains

With a global footprint of 10 million hectares across 12.5 million farms, coffee is among the world's most traded commodities. The coffee industry has launched a variety of initiatives designed to reduce coffee's contribution to climate change and biodiversity loss and enhance the socio-economic conditions of coffee producers. We systematically reviewed the literature on the sustainability and governance of coffee production and developed a typology of eleven sustainability initiatives. Our review shows that coffee sustainability research has focused primarily on the economic outcomes of certification schemes. The typology expands our knowledge of novel sustainability initiatives being led by coffee farming communities themselves, allowing for an improved consideration of power dynamics in sustainability governance. Sustainability initiatives governed by local actors can improve sustainability outcomes by empowering local decision makers to assess direct risks and benefits of sustainable practices to the local environment, economy, and culture.

Nano hybrid fertilizers: A review on the state of the art in sustainable agriculture

The advent of Nanohybrid (NH) fertilizers represents a groundbreaking advancement in the pursuit of precision and sustainable agriculture. This review abstract encapsulates the transformative potential of these innovative formulations in addressing key challenges faced by modern farming practices. By incorporating nanotechnology into traditional fertilizer matrices, nanohybrid formulations enable precise control over nutrient release, facilitating optimal nutrient uptake by crops. This enhanced precision not only fosters improved crop yields but also mitigates issues of over-fertilization, aligning with the principles of sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, nanohybrid fertilizers exhibit the promise of minimizing environmental impact. Their controlled release mechanisms significantly reduce nutrient runoff, thereby curbing water pollution and safeguarding ecosystems. This dual benefit of precision nutrient delivery and environmental sustainability positions nanohybrid fertilizers as a crucial tool in the arsenal of precision agriculture practices. The intricate processes of uptake, translocation, and biodistribution of nutrients within plants are examined in the context of nanohybrid fertilizers. The nanoscale features of these formulations play a pivotal role in governing the efficiency of nutrient absorption, internal transport, and distribution within plant tissues. Factors affecting the performance of nanohybrid fertilizers are scrutinized, encompassing aspects such as soil type, crop variety, and environmental conditions. Understanding these variables is crucial for tailoring nanohybrid formulations to specific agricultural contexts, and optimizing their impact on crop productivity and resource efficiency. Environmental considerations are integral to the review, assessing the broader implications of nanohybrid fertilizer application. This review offers a holistic overview of nanohybrid fertilizers in precision and sustainable agriculture. Exploring delivery mechanisms, synthesis methods, uptake dynamics, biodistribution patterns, influencing factors, and environmental implications, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role and implications of nanohybrid fertilizers in advancing modern agricultural practices.

Dual effects on vegetation from urban expansion in the drylands of northern China: A multiscale investigation using the vegetation disturbance index

Drylands contribute roughly 40 % of the global net primary productivity and are essential for achieving sustainable development. Investigating the effects on vegetation from urban expansion in drylands within the context of rapid urbanization could help enhance the sustainability of dryland cities. With the use of the drylands of northern China (DNC) as an example, we applied the vegetation disturbance index to investigate the negative and positive effects on vegetation from urban expansion in drylands. The results revealed that the DNC experienced massive and rapid urban expansion from 2000 to 2020. Urban land in the entire DNC increased by 19,646 km2 from 8141 to 27,787 km2, with an annual growth rate of 6.3 %. Urban expansion in the DNC imposed both negative and positive effects on regional vegetation. The area with negative effects reached 7736 km2 and was mainly concentrated in the dry subhumid zones. The area with positive effects amounted to 5011 km2 and was comparable among the dry subhumid, semiarid, and arid zones. Land use/cover change induced by population growth significantly contributed to these negative effects, while the positive effects were largely caused by economic growth. Therefore, it is recommended to strike a balance between urban growth and vegetation conservation to mitigate the adverse effects on vegetation from urban expansion in drylands. Simultaneously, it is imperative to expand urban green spaces and build sustainable and livable ecological cities to facilitate sustainable urban development.

Eco-efficiency as a prioritization tool in the reduction of food waste in restaurants

Striving towards eco-efficiency means creating more value while generating a product or service with a reduced environmental impact. This quest makes it possible to link objectives associated with both the environmental and the economic pillars of sustainable development. Eco-efficiency could therefore be an interesting tool to evaluate the impacts of food waste (FW) and the potential of various food waste reduction strategies (FWRSs). However, the use of eco-efficiency to assess the interest in implementing FWRSs has never been explored in the foodservice sector. This work firstly aims to carry out an in-depth analysis of the costs of the FW generation of an independent restaurant. Secondly, based on these costs data and on some previously documented environmental impact data with a life cycle assessment according to ISO 14045:2012, this work also aims to model and evaluate the performance of FWRSs from a perspective of improving a restaurant eco-efficiency. The impact of each FWRS on the eco-efficiency of the restaurant under study was measured by modeling their economic and environmental net benefits over three implementation periods (one week, one month and six months) and under scenarios of strong and weak adherence. The study identified the most eco-efficient FWRSs to be implemented to reduce FW in the studied restaurant. In addition, key factors affecting eco-efficiency were raised, namely the period following the implementation of FWRSs, the FW reduction rate between FWRSs affecting the same type of FW, the specificity of the FWRSs and their ability to limit the waste of vegetables, meat, sea products and food requiring significant processing time by the cooks. Thus, these elements will guide foodservice managers in adopting FWRSs aimed at reducing FW generated in their restaurant and at improving its eco-efficiency. In addition, this work proposes a new methodology intended for the scientific community to identify FWRSs that have a strong impact on a restaurant eco-efficiency.

Aligning agri-environmental-climate public good supply and desire in a sustainable Dutch agricultural sector

European agricultural policies increasingly incorporate mechanisms for delivery of public goods. Sustainable public good delivery requires alignment between societal demand and landscape supply. However, the variation of demands or desires regarding future public good delivery among society is hardly known. We inventoried the desires for public goods across Dutch society, and projections of agricultural supply. A multi-method approach was used to find agreement levels between desired and expected change in good delivery. Most stakeholders expressed a desire for biodiversity and climate regulation from agriculture, whilst desire for natural heritage and recreation was less common. The utility of a public good to a stakeholder appears to influence its desire. Scenarios for agriculture focus on extensification, sustainable intensification, regionalization, or meadow bird conservation. Regionalized scenarios showed the highest agreement between public good supply and desire. Maximizing alignment between desire and supply thus requires a challenging transition towards region-specific agricultural sustainability strategies.

Relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Adolescent Health Measurement: A Systematic Mapping of the SDG Framework and Global Adolescent Health Indicators

PURPOSE

To assess the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework for adolescent health measurement, both in terms of age disaggregation and different health domains captured, and how the adolescent health indicators recommended by the Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent Health (GAMA) can complement the SDG framework.

METHODS

We conducted a desk review to systematically map all 248 SDG indicators using the UN metadata repository in three steps: 1) age-related mandates for SDG reporting; 2) linkages between the SDG indicators and priority areas for adolescent health measurement; 3) comparison between the GAMA indicators and the SDG framework.

RESULTS

Of the 248 SDG indicators, 35 (14%) targeted an age range overlapping with adolescence (10-19 years) and 33 (13%) called for age disaggregation. Only one indicator (3.7.2 "adolescent birth rate") covered the entire 10-19 age range. Almost half (41%) of the SDG indicators were directly related to adolescent health, but only 33 of those (13% of all SDG indicators) overlapped with the ages 10-19, and 15 (6% of all SDG indicators) explicitly mandated age disaggregation. Among the 47 GAMA indicators, five corresponded to existing SDG indicators, and eight were adolescent-specific age adaptations. Several GAMA indicators shed light on aspects not tracked in the SDG framework, such as obesity, mental health, physical activity, and bullying among 10-19-year-olds.

DISCUSSION

Adolescent health cannot be monitored comprehensively with the SDG framework alone. The GAMA indicators complement this framework via age-disaggregated adaptations and by tracking aspects of adolescent health currently absent from the SDGs.

Environmental Justice and Health in Nigeria

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified 17 goals to achieve by the year 2030, with many of these goals directly or indirectly linked to environmental justice. Health outcomes remain poor in Nigeria; the country ranks low in environmental quality despite supporting environmental treaties and laws. The burden of diseases in the country is in part related to poor environmental quality and is linked to environmental justice issues, such as mining, energy exploration, transport emission, poor waste management, and proliferation of slum settlement.

RECENT FINDINGS

Previous studies found that living in proximity to mines and environmental degradation of land and water disrupts means of livelihood and causes poor health outcomes among children and adults. Specifically, health issues like respiratory illness, malaria, kidney disease, and high blood pressure are likely consequences of proximity to mine waste. Few published studies are available for a developing country like Nigeria, although the link between environmental justice and health in Nigeria is clear enough to require action on the part of the government and polluting industries. This paper reviewed the concept and coverage of environmental justice in the Nigerian context and its impact on health. Addressing environmental injustices related to mining and other environmental issues can accelerate health gains through conscious and concerted efforts towards preserving the environment. Also, the right of everyone to a sustainable city regardless of socioeconomic class and geographical location can only be secured through environmental justice.

Applying social life cycle assessment in the informal recycling sector: Understanding challenges and limitations

The transition towards Circular Economy (CE) is a promising approach to sustainable development that may cause significant social impacts. Despite the benefits of CE initiatives, key players such as informal recyclers face serious social issues such as poverty, lack of social security, and discrimination. Although evaluating social impacts remains a considerable challenge, Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) is recognized as a suitable methodology with a life cycle perspective. While most SLCA experiences are conducted in the formal sector, it is important to consider the informal sector, which plays a crucial role in developing countries. This article presents an analysis of SLCA studies in informal recycling settings in order to identify the challenges and adjustments required for informal settings. The analysis is based on a literature review and a documentary review of a pilot application of SLCA in the informal recycling system in Cuenca, Ecuador. The results show that SLCA requires adaptation to be applied in informal settings. There are particular challenges in delineating boundaries due to the fuzzy nature and variability of informal activities. Tasks such as establishing specific indicators, developing reference scales and data collection, require careful planning and active stakeholder participation. For instance, indicators regarding Fair Salary or Working hours were adapted based on best practices. Furthermore, tasks such as verifying and disseminating results should be included in interpretation phases to generate long-term impacts and influence behaviors. The study underscores SLCA's multidimensional view but highlights the need for further standardization and adaptation for informal sectors.

Promoting sustainable smallholder farming via multistakeholder collaboration

Transforming smallholder farms is critical to global food security and environmental sustainability. The science and technology backyard (STB) platform has proved to be a viable approach in China. However, STB has traditionally focused on empowering smallholder farmers by transferring knowledge, and wide-scale adoption of more sustainable practices and technologies remains a challenge. Here, we report on a long-term project focused on technology scale-up for smallholder farmers by expanding and upgrading the original STB platform (STB 2.0). We created a formalized and standardized process by which to engage and collaborate with farmers, including integrating their feedback via equal dialogues in the process of designing and promoting technologies. Based on 288 site-year of field trials in three regions in the North China Plain over 5 y, we find that technologies cocreated through this process were more easily accepted by farmers and increased their crop yields and nitrogen factor productivity by 7.2% and 28.1% in wheat production and by 11.4% and 27.0% in maize production, respectively. In promoting these technologies more broadly, we created a "one-stop" multistakeholder program involving local government agencies, enterprises, universities, and farmers. The program was shown to be much more effective than the traditional extension methods applied at the STB, yielding substantial environmental and economic benefits. Our study contributes an important case study for technology scale-up for smallholder agriculture. The STB 2.0 platform being explored emphasizes equal dialogue with farmers, multistakeholder collaboration, and long-term investment. These lessons may provide value for the global smallholder research and practitioners.

Applications of engineered biochar in remediation of heavy metal(loid)s pollution from wastewater: Current perspectives toward sustainable development goals

Environmental pollution of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) caused adverse impacts, has become one of the emerging concerns and challenges worldwide. Metal(loid)s can pose significant threats to living organisms even when present in trace levels within environmental matrices. Extended exposure to these substances can lead to adverse health consequences in humans. Removing HM-contaminated water and moving toward sustainable development goals (SDGs) is critical. In this mission, biochar has recently gained attention in the environmental sector as a green and alternative material for wastewater removal. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the remediation of typical HMs by biochars, associated with an understanding of remediation mechanisms, and gives practical solutions for ecologically sustainable. Applying engineered biochar in various fields, especially with nanoscale biochar-aided wastewater treatment approaches, can eliminate hazardous metal(loid) contaminants, highlighting an environmentally friendly and low-cost method. Surface modification of engineered biochar with nanomaterials is a potential strategy that positively influences its sorption capacity to remove contaminants. The research findings highlighted the biochars' ability to adsorb HM ions based on increased specific surface area (SSA), heightened porosity, and forming inner-sphere complexes with oxygen-rich groups. Utilizing biochar modification emerged as a viable approach for addressing lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) pollution in aqueous environments. Most biochars investigated demonstrated a removal efficiency >90 % (Cd, As, Hg) and can reach an impressive 99 % (Pb and Cr). Furthermore, biochar and advanced engineered applications are also considered alternative solutions based on the circular economy.

Impact of "blue-green diet" on human health and wellbeing: A systematic review of potential determinants in shaping the effectiveness of blue-green infrastructure (BGI) in urban settings

Discourses concerning the potential health benefits of blue-green infrastructure (BGI) have gained momentum, highlighting its positive influence on human health and wellbeing. While studies have explored the concept of "Nature Pyramid" and the role of exposure to natural environments in promoting health, the role of water elements remains underexplored. Rooted in this concept, this study proposed a notion of "blue-green diet" as a framework to understand the intricate mechanisms and determinants of optimal blue-green exposure. Understanding the relationship between these determinants and their health-related impacts can facilitate the enhancement of BGI design, leading to greater effectiveness in promoting health and wellbeing and supporting sustainable urban development strategies. To enhance the comprehension of the "blue-green diet", this study conducted a systematic literature review to grasp the underlying mechanisms behind its beneficial effects, focusing on two key determinants of "blue-green diet", which are also derived from the concept of the "Nature Pyramid": (1) the type of BGI and (2) the mode of interaction with and within BGIs. Under the search of BGI's overall health impacts, this study selected 54 journal publications concerning BGI's type and interaction mode from Web of Science and Scopus since 2010. The review revealed significant disparities in the health benefits provided by different types of BGI (in terms of artificial extent and scale) and between active and passive interaction modes. It examines how to balance natural and artificial elements for enhancing the benefits of BGI and discusses the attributes of BGI that encourage diverse and meaningful interaction patterns. These efforts collectively aim to optimize BGI design and planning, increase its capacity to promote health, and extend its benefits to a wider range of individuals. Future research should encompass a broader spectrum of determinants, such as diverse BGI settings, visit frequency and duration, and user's social-cultural backgrounds.

Examining the unsustainable relationship between SDG performance, ecological footprint and international spillovers

For almost a decade, countries have been working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet progress on the SDGs across countries, as well as across the 17 goals, has proven frustratingly slow. Even countries that have performed relatively well on the SDGs may have done so by causing negative externalities, such as environmental degradation, in other parts of the world. To determine if this is the case empirically, we developed and tested hypotheses concerning how a country's SDG performance is associated with such externalities. We then ran a regression to examine correlations between indices measuring SDG progress, ecological footprints and international spillovers. We found that SDG progress is positively correlated with increased ecological footprints and spillovers. The results indicate that SDG progress remains closely associated with conventional measures of economic growth, and that negative environmental and social impacts of internationally-sourced consumption represent behavioural and structural barriers to meaningful progress on sustainability.

Barriers to adaptation of environmental sustainability in SMEs: A qualitative study

This study examines the antecedents of environmental sustainability in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of a developing country and explores the specific internal and external factors for environmental sustainability. The study focused on SMEs in Balochistan, Pakistan, utilizing convenience and purposive sampling techniques to select a sample size of 30 SMEs. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results of the study revealed that lack of finance and education are major barriers to recognizing and addressing environmental sustainability issues, along with the lack of government support and regulations to ensure compliance with environmental safety laws, hence leading to low concern for sustainability practices among SMEs. Awareness and attitude of SME owners/managers, along with customer demand and government policies, influence the adoption of environmental sustainability practices. Overcoming financial constraints and promoting cooperation among stakeholders are key to fostering sustainable practices in SMEs. This research makes an important contribution to the sustainable management literature by providing new and in-depth insights into the barriers that impede environmental sustainability in SMEs of developing countries.

Public engagement for inclusive and sustainable governance of climate interventions

The need for public engagement is increasingly evident as discussions intensify around emerging methods for carbon dioxide removal and controversial proposals around solar geoengineering. Based on 44 focus groups in 22 countries across the Global North and Global South (N = 323 participants), this article traces public preferences for a variety of bottom-up and top-down engagement practices ranging from information recipient to broad decision authority. Here, we show that engagement practices need to be responsive to local political cultures and socio-technical environments, while attending to the global dimensions and interconnectedness of the issues at stake. Establishing public engagement as a cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable governance of climate-intervention technologies requires (i) recognizing the diversity of forms and intensities of engaging, (ii) considering national contexts and modes of engagement, (iii) tailoring to technological idiosyncrasies, (iv) adopting power-sensitive practices, (v) accounting for publics' prior experience, (vi) establishing trust and procedural legitimacy and (vii) engaging with tensions and value disagreements.

Mitigating air pollution benefits multiple sustainable development goals in China

Achieving the United nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a significant challenge, necessitating urgent and prioritized strategies. Among the various challenges, air pollution continues to pose one of the most substantial threats to the SDGs due to its widespread adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. However, the connections between air pollution and the SDGs have often been overlooked. This study reveals that out of the 169 SDG targets, 71 are adversely impacted by air pollution, while only 6 show potential positive effects. In China, two major atmospheric nitrogen pollutants, ammonia and nitrogen oxides, resulted in an economic loss of 400 billion United States Dollar (USD) in 2020, which could be reduced by 33% and 34% by 2030, respectively. It would enhance the progress towards SDGs in China by 14%, directly contributing to the achievement of SDGs 1 to 6 and 11 to 15. This improvement is estimated to yield overall benefits totaling 119 billion USD, exceeded the total implementation cost of 82 billion USD with ammonia as the preferential mitigation target. This study underscores the importance of robust scientific evidence in integrated policies aimed at aligning improvements in environmental quality with the priorities of sustainable development.

How does digital transformation affect the ESG performance of Chinese manufacturing state-owned enterprises?-Based on the mediating mechanism of dynamic capabilities and the moderating mechanism of the institutional environment

Against the background of sustainable development policies, the ESG performance of Chinese manufacturing enterprises is still generally poor. As the leading enterprises in the manufacturing industry, state-owned enterprises should take the lead in responding to the national call for sustainable development and actively explore the path to improve their ESG performance. This study aims to explore whether and how state-owned manufacturing enterprises can improve their poor ESG performance through digital transformation in the digital economy. This study takes Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share state-owned listed manufacturing enterprises as the research sample and constructs an unbalanced panel. OLS regression analysis is used to empirically test the impact of digital transformation on the ESG performance of the sample firms. Further attempts are made to discuss the influence mechanism of digital transformation from the perspectives of dynamic capabilities and the institutional environment through stepwise and hierarchical regression methods, respectively. The study shows that, firstly, digital transformation is an important influencing factor in promoting the improvement of enterprises' ESG performance, and at the same time, there are significant structural differences in this influence. Second, under the dynamic capability perspective, digital transformation can improve corporate ESG performance through an absorptive feedback mechanism, matching response mechanism, and innovation efficiency enhancement mechanism. Third, from the perspective of the institutional environment, the informal system has a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between digital transformation and ESG performance, i.e., the informal system and digital transformation have a synergistic governance effect on corporate ESG performance. The moderating effect of the formal institutional environment on digital transformation and ESG performance is not significant. The findings of the study clarify the controversy over the relationship between digital transformation and ESG performance of manufacturing state-owned enterprises and enrich the research on the influencing factors of corporate ESG performance. It also provides a theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for manufacturing SOEs to improve ESG performance and lead to sustainable development.

Deciphering genetic diversity in conserved cattle bulls to achieve sustainable development goals

The primary objective of Sustainable Development Goal target 2.5 established by the United Nations is to ensure the preservation of genetic diversity in domesticated animals. The ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources in India has been actively engaged in the conservation of cattle and buffalo bull semen for long-term storage. This present study aimed to assess the genetic diversity present in the conserved cattle bull semen, which would aid in determining the most suitable strategy for future conservation management. A total of 192 bull semen belonging to 19 cattle breeds were selected to evaluate genetic diversity using 17 pairs of FAO recommended microsatellite primers. Total 267 alleles were detected across all the samples which indicates substantial amount of allelic variation is being maintained in conserved bulls. Further, all cattle bulls semen conserved showed higher observed heterozygosity than expected heterozygosity which indicates excess genetic diversity in all the populations. The FST, F IT and FIS value across the loci and population is 0.146 ± 0.009, 0.054 ± 0.038, and - 0.105 ± 0.035, respectively, which suggests lack of inbreeding in conserved cattle bull semen. This study has established genetic diversity in conserved cattle semen samples to achieve sustainable development goals. In addition, it provides compelling evidence that the current approach for conserving cattle bull semen is heading in the correct direction.

Can carbon reduction policies promote sustainable construction development? Evidence from China's green building market

Carbon emissions have become a global challenge, and China, as the world's largest developing country, has a serious emissions problem. Developing green buildings is an important way of reducing carbon emissions. China's low-carbon city pilot policy may be an effective way of promoting green building development and reducing these emissions. This study uses the low carbon city pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment and employs the staggered difference-in-differences method to investigate its impact on green building development. The results show that the low-carbon city pilot policy promotes green building development, and this policy promotes it by enhancing regional green innovation capacity, improving green total factor productivity at the firm and regional levels, and reducing the financing constraints of firms in the construction and real estate sectors. In addition, the promotion effect of the policy on green building development is stronger in western and non-resource-based regions and large-scale cities in China. This study contributes to the literature related to environmental policy, green building, and carbon emissions and supports the promotion of green building development and the reduction of carbon emissions.

Can energy saving and emission reduction policies promote green transformation of industrial enterprises--The Case of China

In the context of the continued advancement of the green economy transition, the proactive pursuit of carbon emissions reduction and the early attainment of carbon neutrality goals have emerged as essential components in promoting high-quality economic development. Not only does it contribute to the creation of a community of human destiny, but it is also vital to the realization of sustainable development for human civilization. A dynamic evolutionary game model, which encompasses the interactions among government, enterprises, and the public, was constructed to examine the inherent impact mechanisms of the behavior of three players on the development of a green economy under the context of energy saving and emission reduction subsidies. The results showed that the incentive and punishment mechanisms served as effective tools for harmonizing the interests of system members. Within the mechanisms, the public demonstrated a higher sensitivity to rewards, while enterprises exhibited greater responsiveness to fines. Consequently, the government could influence the behavior of enterprises by incentivizing the public to serve as a third-party inquiry and oversight body. Simultaneously, the government could encourage enterprises to expedite green technology innovation by employing a combination of incentive and punishment mechanisms.

Early childhood caries, climate change and the sustainable development goal 13: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Sustainable development goal 13 centres on calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The aim of this scoping review was to map the published literature for existing evidence on the association between the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 and early childhood caries (ECC).

METHODS

The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. In August 2023, a search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using search terms related to SDG13 and ECC. Only English language publications were extracted. There was no restriction on the type of publications included in the study. A summary of studies that met the inclusion criteria was conducted highlighting the countries where the studies were conducted, the study designs employed, the journals (dental/non-dental) in which the studies were published, and the findings. In addition, the SDG13 indicators to which the study findings were linked was reported.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 113 potential publications. After removing 57 duplicated papers, 56 publications underwent title and abstract screening, and two studies went through full paper review. Four additional papers were identified from websites and searching the references of the included studies. Two of the six retrieved articles were from India, and one was China, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom respectively. One paper was based on an intervention simulation study, two reported findings from archeologic populations and three papers that were commentaries/opinions. In addition, four studies were linked to SDG 13.1 and they suggested an increased risk for caries with climate change. Two studies were linked to SDG 13.2 and they suggested that the practice of pediatric dentistry contributes negatively to environmental degradation. One study provided evidence on caries prevention management strategies in children that can reduce environmental degradation.

CONCLUSION

The evidence on the links between SDG13 and ECC suggests that climate change may increase the risk for caries, and the management of ECC may increase environmental degradation. However, there are caries prevention strategies that can reduce the negative impact of ECC management on the environment. Context specific and inter-disciplinary research is needed to generate evidence for mitigating the negative bidirectional relationships between SDG13 and ECC.

Association between early childhood caries and parental education and the link to the sustainable development goal 4: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

The goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The aim of this scoping review was to map the current evidence on the association between the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) and parental education; and to identify possible pathways by which parental education may protect against ECC.

METHODS

The two questions that guided this review were: what is the existing evidence on the association between maternal and paternal education and ECC; and what are the pathways by which parental education protects against ECC? The initial search was conducted in January 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. Articles published in English between January 2000 and October 2022 that reported on the association between parental education and ECC were screened, and the extracted data were compiled, summarized, and synthesized. Review papers and non-primary quantitative research papers were excluded from the full-text review. Open coding was applied to develop a conceptual framework.

RESULTS

In total, 49 studies were included: 42 cross-sectional, 3 case-control and 4 cohort studies. The majority (91.8%) reported on the associations between ECC and maternal (n = 33), paternal (n = 3), and parental (n = 9) level of education, and 13 (26.7%) reported on the association between parental education and the severity of ECC. Mothers with more than primary school education (n = 3), post-secondary/college/tertiary education (n = 23), and more than 4-12 years of education (n = 12) had children with lower risk for ECC. Two studies reporting on parental education found an association between maternal but not paternal education and ECC. The review suggests that achieving the SDG 4.1 may reduce the risk of ECC. Possible pathways by which maternal education protects from ECC were feeding practices, oral hygiene practices, and the use of dental services.

CONCLUSION

The study findings suggests that higher maternal educational level may reduce the risk for the consumption of cariogenic diet, poor oral hygiene practices and poor use of dental services for caries prevention. However, the association between paternal education and ECC was not consistently observed, with significant associations less frequently reported compared to maternal education. Future studies are needed to define the magnitude and modifiers of the impact of maternal education on the risk for ECC.

Perspective: The Place of Pork Meat in Sustainable Healthy Diets

The food systems sustainability framework has 4 domains: nutrition, economics, environment, and society. To qualify as sustainable, individual foods and total diets need to be nutrient-rich, affordable, environmentally friendly, and socially acceptable. Pork is the most consumed meat globally, providing high-quality protein and several priority micronutrients. With research attention focused on plant-based diets, it is time to assess the place of pork meat protein in the global sustainability framework. First, not all proteins are equal. The United States Department of Agriculture category of protein foods includes meat, poultry and fish, eggs, beans and legumes, and nuts and seeds. These protein sources have different protein digestibility profiles, different per-calorie prices, and different environmental footprints, measured in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Second, most analyses of animal-source proteins combine beef, pork, and lamb into a single category of red meat. Beef, pork, and lamb have different nutrient profiles, different protein costs, and different impacts on the environment. Future analyses of nutrient density and monetary and carbon costs of alternative diets would do well to separate pork from beef, lamb, and chicken. There are also different profiles of global food demand. Prior analyses of global Food and Agriculture Organization Statistical Database food balance sheets joined with World Bank country incomes have consistently shown that rising incomes across lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC) create a growing demand for meat to replace traditional plant proteins. Most of the observed increase has been for pork and chicken rather than beef. This ongoing LMIC protein transition toward more animal proteins may be irreversible as long as incomes grow. The present analyses explore the place of pork in sustainable healthy diets worldwide, given the need for high-quality protein and the predictable patterns of global food demand.

Light at the end of the tunnel: Innovative opportunities for saving tropical biodiversity

The expansion of roads into wilderness areas and biodiversity hotspots in the Global South seems inevitable and is predicted to bring about significant biodiversity loss. Even so, existing widespread strategies aiming to mitigate the direct and indirect impacts of roads on the environment have been of limited effectiveness. These tactics, including construction of fencing, wildlife crossings on paved roads, and establishment of protected areas along the roads, are unlikely to be sufficient for protecting diverse species assemblages from roadkill, habitat fragmentation, and anthropogenic activity in tropics. This indicates the need for integration of more ambitious approaches into the conservation toolkit, such as the constructing tunnels, covered ways, and elevated roads. Although these tools could significantly support conservation efforts to save tropical biodiversity, to date, they are rarely considered. Here, we discuss factors which determine the need for application of these approaches in the Global South. We highlight the often-overlooked long-term benefits associated with the application of the proposed tools. We also discuss the potential challenges and risks, and the ways to minimise them. Hopefully this article will encourage practitioners to integrate these strategies into conservation toolkits and allow policy-makers and investors to make informed decisions on sustainable road infrastructure development in the Global South.

Navigating the path to dual carbon goals: Understanding the driving forces of energy transition welfare performance

China's double carbon target aims to improve human well-being and sustainable development. Energy transformation welfare performance (ETWP) is the efficiency of energy transition (ET) in enhancing human well-being. ETWP considers both human well-being and sustainable development. Research on its driving force is helpful in achieving the double carbon goal. Thus, this paper used Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index Model, Fixed Panel Regression Model and Grey Relational Analysis Model to analyze China's ETWP from 2006 to 2022 and predicted ETWP of 31 provinces from 2023 to 2030. The results showed that: (1) ETWP had two rising periods in 2006-2014 and 2015-2022. (2) The government's rationalization policy on energy and environment and technological innovation ability were fundamental driving forces for improving ETWP. (3) There were obvious spatial and temporal distinctions in ETWP, and it would bring out different degrees in most areas. Thus, ET should be promoted by improving the ecological environment and resource utilization efficiency; The importance of the role of scientific and technological innovation and policies should be focused on in promoting ETWP; ET policies based on local developments should be formulated and the energy structure should be changed.

Corporate governance for sustainable development in Vietnam: Criteria for SOEs based on MCDM approach

This research explores the nexus between corporate governance and sustainable development, focusing on State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Vietnam. Recognizing the pivotal role of SOEs in the national economy, this study employs a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making approach (MCDM) to assess and enhance the corporate governance frameworks of these entities. First, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is employed to identify the most qualified prospective SOEs firms based on several quantitative criteria. Then, the spherical fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (SF-AHP) model is used to identify priority weights for a given set of qualitative criteria, the Evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) model is implemented to rank enterprises in the SOEs sector. To validate the proposed models, a case study conducted within the Vietnamese electric power industry is utilized. The MCDM methodology integrates diverse factors such as business management, corporate social responsibility, and corporate governance shareholder to construct a comprehensive evaluation framework. By applying this approach, the study aims to identify the key drivers and barriers influencing corporate governance practices within Vietnamese SOEs. The study's findings illustrate the efficacy of the suggested approach in evaluating corporate governance performance, providing valuable insights for policymakers, corporate leaders, and stakeholders involved in shaping the governance landscape of SOEs in Vietnam. By aligning corporate governance with sustainable development principles, the research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on responsible business practices, offering practical recommendations to enhance the performance and resilience of SOEs in the pursuit of long-term socio-economic and environmental sustainability.

Environmental co-benefits of health policies to reduce meat consumption: A narrative review

Global meat consumption has risen steadily in recent decades, with heterogeneous growth rates across regions. While meat plays a critical role in providing essential nutrients for human health, excessive consumption of meat, particularly red and processed meat, has also been associated with a higher risk of certain chronic diseases. This has led public authorities, including the World Health Organization, to call for a reduction in meat consumption. How governments can effectively reduce the health costs of meat consumption remains a challenge as implementing effective policy instruments is complex. This paper examines health-related policy instruments and potential economic mechanisms that could reduce meat consumption. Health-related taxation could be the most effective instrument. Other policy instruments, such as informational and behavioral instruments, along with regulations, could discourage meat consumption depending on the policy design. We also provide evidence on the link between meat consumption and the environment, including climate, biodiversity, water use, and pollution. Promoting healthy behaviors by reducing meat consumption can then have environmental co-benefits and promote broader sustainable development goals. We also discuss the policy-related challenges that need to be addressed to meet environmental co-benefits.

The Role of International Collaborations in Sustainable Neurosurgical Development in Nigeria

OBJECTIVE

Despite 6 decades of existence, neurosurgery is still in the developing stages in Nigeria. In this era of collaborative health system capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries, this article reviews past efforts and future prospects for collaborative neurosurgical development in Nigeria.

METHODS

A bibliometric review of the Nigerian neurosurgical literature and data from a structured survey of Nigerian neurosurgeons and residents provided details of current local and international collaborations for neurosurgical research, service delivery, training, and capacity building. These were analyzed to provide an overview of the role of collaborations in sustainable neurosurgical development in Nigeria and to recommend approaches to enhance neurosurgical capacity.

RESULTS

In 1023 peer-reviewed neurosurgery publications from Nigeria, there were 4618 authors with 3688 from 98 Nigerian institutions and 930 from 296 foreign institutions in 70 countries. While there were significant research collaborations amongst Nigerian institutions, the most common were with institutions in the US, United Kingdom, and Cameroon. From the survey, 62 of 149 respondents (41.6%) from 32 health facilities noted their institution's involvement in capacity-building neurosurgical collaborations. These collaborations involved 22 Nigerian institutions and 13 foreign institutions in 9 countries and were mostly for training and workforce development (78.1%), and research and data management (59.4%). The majority of foreign institutions were from the US and United Kingdom.

CONCLUSIONS

Current and previous neurosurgical collaborations have led to sustainable progress in Nigeria. Further local, regional, and international collaborations would enhance the capacity to address the needs and challenges affecting neurosurgery in Nigeria.

Breaking the poverty trap in an ecologically fragile region through ecological engineering: A close-up look at long-term changes in ecosystem services

Ecological vulnerability and poverty are interrelated and must be addressed together. The resolution of this issue will help us to meet the challenges during the process of implementing concrete actions for realizing the 2030 UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). Ecological restoration projects (ERPs) can enhance ecosystem services (ESs) while providing policy support for improving people's livelihoods. However, processes and mechanisms of ERPs on the ecological environment and socioeconomic development in poverty-stricken and ecologically fragile areas have rarely been studied. To address these issues, we conducted a comparative analysis on the changes of land use and land cover (LULC), ecosystem services (ESs), and socioeconomic development in Bijie City, a karst rocky desertification area in southwest China, before and after the implementation of ERPs in 2000, as well as the complex relationship between these factors. ERPs have affected LULCs, ESs, socioeconomics, and poverty reduction significantly since 2000. Specifically, the total ecosystem service value (ESV) in the study area has increased by more than 3 times in the past 30 years, with the ESV of tourism services and carbon storage increasing the most, from CNY 0.001 and 337.07 billion in 1990 to CNY 11.07 and 108.97 billion in 2019, respectively. The correlation between ESs is mainly synergistic, while the tradeoff between carbon storage and water yield is in a fluctuating upward trend. LULC conversion of cropland to green, and cropland to water, wetland and shrubs has positive effects on carbon storage and water yield, respectively. During study period, GDP, urbanization increased by over 70 times, 5 times, respectively, whereas poverty population, poverty incidence, and employment rate of various sectors (i.e., agriculture, forest, animal, and fishery, or AFAF) decreased by 96.4%, 97.7%, and 18.24%, respectively. Our findings emphasized that ERPs can effectively help poor and ecologically fragile areas to get out of the poverty trap and achieve the "win-win" goals of ecological and socio-economic sustainable development. These results have profound environmental management references to China and other developing countries around the world in realizing ecological restoration, poverty reduction, and the SDGs.

Transportation infrastructure upgrading and green development efficiency: Empirical analysis with double machine learning method

In order to deal with the environmental problems such as pollution emissions and climate change, sustainable development in the field of transportation has gradually become a hot topic to all sectors of society. In addition, promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of China's transportation is also an important issue in the new era. Thus, it is particularly important to correctly identify the green effect of high-speed rail. However, the traditional causal reasoning model faces several challenges such as 'dimensional curse' and multicollinearity. Based on the panel data of 283 prefecture-level cities in China from 2003 to 2019, this study uses the double machine learning model to explore the impact of transportation infrastructure upgrading on the efficiency of urban green development in China. The research shows that the upgrading of transportation infrastructure can effectively improve the efficiency of urban green development by 4%. Service industry agglomeration and green innovation are verified as two mediating channels. Moreover, the synthetic difference in difference model is employed to evaluate the regional impact of high-speed rail, and finds that the regional impact of transportation policies often exceeds the impact of individual cities. We further apply the conclusions of this paper to the research at the micro enterprise level. Goodman-Bacon decomposition and a variety of robustness tests confirm the validity of our conclusions. The study's comprehensive empirical analysis not only validates the positive effects of transportation upgrades on green development, but also offers novel insights into the underlying mechanisms and policy implications of transportation upgrading.

'Government don't know me and if I stop, they won't know': A qualitative study on the lived experiences of volunteer health workers in the Nigerian health system and their implications for the sustainable development goals

BACKGROUND

Volunteer health workers play an important, but poorly understood role in the Nigerian health system. We report a study of their lived experiences, enabling us to understand their motivations, the nature of their work, and their relationships with formally employed health workers in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Nigeria, the role of institutional incentives, and the implications for attaining the health-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) targets.

METHODS

The study used ethnographic observation of PHCs in Enugu State, supplemented with in-depth interviews with volunteers, formally employed health workers and health managers. The analysis employed a combination of narrative and reflexive thematic approaches.

FINDINGS

The lived experiences of most volunteers unfold in four stages as they move into and out of their volunteering status. The first stage signifies hope, arising from the ease with which they are accepted and integrated into the PHC space. The anger stage emerges when volunteers confront the marked disparity in their treatment compared to formal staff, despite their substantial contributions to healthcare. Then, the bargaining stage sets in, where they strive for recognition and respect by pursuing formal employment and advocating for fair treatment and improved stipends. A positive response, such as improved stipends, can reignite hope among volunteers. If not, most volunteers transition to the acceptance stage - the acknowledgement that their status may never be formalised, prompting many to lose hope and disengage.

CONCLUSION

There should be a clear policy on recruitment, compensation, and protection of volunteers in the health systems, to enhance the contribution they can make to the achievement of the health-related SDG targets.

The role of the health sector in tackling climate change: A narrative review

Climate change is one of the largest threats to population health and has already affected the ecosystem, food production, and health and wellbeing of populations all over the world. The healthcare sector is responsible for around 5 % of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and can play a key role in reducing global warming. This narrative review summarized the information on the role of healthcare systems in addressing climate change and strategies for reducing its negative impact to illustrate different types of actions that can support the ecological transformation of healthcare systems to help reaching sustainable development goals. A wide range of green interventions are shown to be effective to reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare and can have a meaningful impact if implemented systematically. However, these would not suffice unless accompanied by systemic mitigation strategies altering how healthcare is provided and consumed. Sustainable healthcare strategies such as reducing waste and low-value care will have direct benefits for the environment while improving economic and health outcomes. The healthcare sector has a unique opportunity to leverage its position and resources to provide a comprehensive strategy for fighting climate change and improving population health and the environment on which it depends.

Designing a circular cities declaration for Japan building on the European Union's case study

Japan is progressing towards its circular economy (CE) goals as many of its cities have adopted circular city (CC) policies and programs, although further progress is constrained as a result of the lack of a common framework. A novel framework was proposed with the "European circular cities declaration" (ECCD) (2020), consisting of a list of 10 principles committing to integrate circularity into the city's design, development, and management. As a foremost finding, and building on the authors' previous studies of Japan's CE and CC, this work shaped a circular cities declaration (CCD) for Japan following a triple-axis methodology; It (1) evaluates the ECCD as a baseline, (2) adapts it to Japan's unique socio-economic landscape, and (3) considers the three pillars of sustainable development, offering practical guidance for governments facing similar challenges. This environmental management tool goes beyond the EU one providing a model of hybrid governance and monitoring and evaluation mechanism. The resulting declaration is intended for the government to facilitate a transition from insulated CE policies to holistic CC ones, but also for businesses, academia, and communities; Thus, it may aid in endorsing a cities' common framework and shared vision to harness the potential of CC to address environmental issues, foster innovation and collaboration toward a resilient future in Japan.

The role of green finance and governance effectiveness in the impact of renewable energy investment on CO2 emissions in BRICS economies

In the context of sustainable development, this study investigates the intricate dynamics among good governance, renewable energy investment, and green finance in BRICS nations. The aim of the study is to assess how green finance and governance effectiveness moderate the impact of renewable energy investment on CO2 emissions. Utilizing the Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model, a meticulous analysis spanning two decades was conducted to unravel the relationships among key variables and CO2 emissions. The findings underscore a nuanced interplay where renewable energy investments, synergized with robust governance and strategic green finance, significantly mitigate CO2 emissions, contributing to sustainable economic development. However, the study reveals non-linear relationships, highlighting the necessity for optimal allocation and strategic planning to maximize environmental benefits. In the short-run, a government effectiveness policy threshold that should be attained in order for renewable energy investment to reduce CO2 emissions is provided. In the long-run, the negative responsiveness of CO2 emissions to renewable energy investment is further consolidated by green finance. Moreover, enhancing renewable energy investment in the long run is positive for environmental sustainability. It follows that policy makers should tailor policies aimed at enhancing renewable energy investment in the long-run as well as complementing renewable energy investment with green finance in the long-run in order to ensure environmental sustainability by means of reducing CO2 emissions. Policymakers in BRICS nations are urged to strengthen governance structures, promote renewable energy investments, leverage green finance, foster public-private partnerships, adopt a holistic approach, and address non-linear effects to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Multicity comparative assessment and optimized management path of sustainability of the economy-energy-environment system: A case study of core cities in China's three major economic circles

Coordinated and stable development of economy-energy-environment (3E) systems represents a long-term strategy for the sustainable development of humankind. Following the research idea of "indicator system construction-3E system evaluation-obstacles identification-optimization management," this article innovatively constructs a multiangle and comparable methodology system for evaluation and optimized management of the 3E system and considers the core cities of three economic circles in China as cases for empirical research. The results show that all the coordination degree levels were of good or high quality, which was at the highest level in the country. The sustainability degree of the three cities showed an upward trend; of these, Beijing had the highest sustainability degree, followed by Guangzhou and Shanghai. Obstacle degree analysis shows that technology investment and energy factors were common factors hindering sustainable development of the 3E systems of the three cities, and each city also had its own unique factors that acted as obstacles. On this basis, this article formulates region-specific policy recommendations in order to provide a useful reference for top-level design for the government. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:875-887. © 2023 SETAC.

Sustainability outcomes and policy implications: Evaluating China's "old urban neighborhood renewal" experiment

Globally, old urban neighborhood transformation has become a new urban sustainability focus for its significant contribution to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 11. A regeneration-oriented approach is particularly important for Chinese cities with a dwindling land supply, obsoleting infrastructure, and inadequate standard of living. Using a mixed-methods approach informed by BREEAM Communities, we examined two Chinese initiatives-old urban neighborhood renewal (OUNR) and sponge city development (SCD)-through a comprehensive study of pilot project sustainability, policy emphases and gaps, and broader governance implications. We found that SCD's top-down technocratic management was highly efficient in enhancing neighborhood hydrological functions and physical environment. However, successes were undermined by the lack of climate considerations and civic participation. Besides actionable recommendations for applied scholarship and policymaking in China, we provide insight into how the OUNR/SCD initiatives may broadly inform worldwide urban regeneration practices through project and policy experimentations that build adaptive capacity.

The synergistic evolution of supply-demand composite system for airport green development: A case study in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China

Given the pressing requirements for sustainable development in civil aviation, conducting a synergistic evolution analysis of the supply and demand aspects in the airport green development holds great significance. This analysis helps achieve sustainable airport development and facilitates the green transformation of civil aviation development. Taking a collaborative learning approach and utilizing historical data from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport spanning 2008 to 2019, the supply-demand composite system for airport green development was deconstructed into two subsystems-demand and supply-and relevant evaluation index systems were established in this paper. A screening and optimization model of supply and demand synergy indicators for airport green development was constructed, and it was solved using a simulated annealing genetic algorithm. The Haken model was constructed to analyze the synergistic evolutionary relationship of the composite system of supply and demand for green airport development in two stages. The results indicate a shift in the order parameter of the co-evolution of the supply-demand composite system at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, moving from the demand subsystem in the first stage (2008-2015) to the supply subsystem in the second stage (2016-2019). The co-evolution of the airport supply-demand composite system has entered a new stage, but has not reached a high level of synergy. The study not only contributes theoretically by explaining the interaction mechanism between supply and demand for airport green development, but also offers targeted suggestions for achieving high-quality synergistic evolution of supply and demand for airport green development.

Research on sustainable green building space design model integrating IoT technology

"How can the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology enhance the sustainability and efficiency of green building (G.B.) design?" is the central research question that this study attempts to answer. This investigation is important because it examines how green building and IoT technology can work together. It also provides important information about how to use contemporary technologies for environmental sustainability in the building sector. The paper examines a range of IoT applications in green buildings, focusing on this intersection. These applications include energy monitoring, occupant engagement, smart building automation, predictive maintenance, renewable energy integration, and data analytics for energy efficiency enhancements. The objective is to create a thorough and sustainable model for designing green building spaces that successfully incorporates IoT, offering industry professionals cutting-edge solutions and practical advice. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative data analysis with qualitative case studies and literature reviews. It evaluates how IoT can improve energy management, indoor environmental quality, and resource optimization in diverse geographic contexts. The findings show that there has been a noticeable improvement in waste reduction, energy and water efficiency, and the upkeep of high-quality indoor environments after IoT integration. This study fills a major gap in the literature by offering a comprehensive model for IoT integration in green building design, which indicates its impact. This model positions IoT as a critical element in advancing sustainable urban development and offers a ground-breaking framework for the practical application of IoT in sustainable building practices. It also emphasizes the need for customized IoT solutions in green buildings. The paper identifies future research directions, including the investigation of advanced IoT applications in renewable energy and the evaluation of IoT's impact on occupant behavior and well-being, along with addressing cybersecurity concerns. It acknowledges the challenges associated with IoT implementation, such as the initial costs and specialized skills needed.

Extremophiles in a changing world

Extremophiles and their products have been a major focus of research interest for over 40 years. Through this period, studies of these organisms have contributed hugely to many aspects of the fundamental and applied sciences, and to wider and more philosophical issues such as the origins of life and astrobiology. Our understanding of the cellular adaptations to extreme conditions (such as acid, temperature, pressure and more), of the mechanisms underpinning the stability of macromolecules, and of the subtleties, complexities and limits of fundamental biochemical processes has been informed by research on extremophiles. Extremophiles have also contributed numerous products and processes to the many fields of biotechnology, from diagnostics to bioremediation. Yet, after 40 years of dedicated research, there remains much to be discovered in this field. Fortunately, extremophiles remain an active and vibrant area of research. In the third decade of the twenty-first century, with decreasing global resources and a steadily increasing human population, the world's attention has turned with increasing urgency to issues of sustainability. These global concerns were encapsulated and formalized by the United Nations with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the presentation of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. In the run-up to 2030, we consider the contributions that extremophiles have made, and will in the future make, to the SDGs.

ChatGPT: Literate or intelligent about UN sustainable development goals?

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are progressively transforming numerous sectors, demonstrating a capacity to impact human life dramatically. This research seeks to evaluate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) literacy of ChatGPT, which is crucial for diverse stakeholders involved in SDG-related policies. Experimental outcomes from two widely used Sustainability Assessment tests-the UN SDG Fitness Test and Sustainability Literacy Test (SULITEST) - suggest that ChatGPT exhibits high SDG literacy, yet its comprehensive SDG intelligence needs further exploration. The Fitness Test gauges eight vital competencies across introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. Accurate mapping of these to the test questions is essential for partial evaluation of SDG intelligence. To assess SDG intelligence, the questions from both tests were mapped to 17 SDGs and eight cross-cutting SDG core competencies, but both test questionnaires were found to be insufficient. SULITEST could satisfactorily map only 5 out of 8 competencies, whereas the Fitness Test managed to map 6 out of 8. Regarding the coverage of the Fitness Test and SULITEST, their mapping to the 17 SDGs, both tests fell short. Most SDGs were underrepresented in both instruments, with certain SDGs not represented at all. Consequently, both tools proved ineffective in assessing SDG intelligence through SDG coverage. The study recommends future versions of ChatGPT to enhance competencies such as collaboration, critical thinking, systems thinking, and others to achieve the SDGs. It concludes that while AI models like ChatGPT hold considerable potential in sustainable development, their usage must be approached carefully, considering current limitations and ethical implications.

The influence of digital platform on the implementation of corporate social responsibility: from the perspective of environmental science development to explore its potential role in public health

Introduction

This paper aims to explore the intersection of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and public health within the context of digital platforms. Specifically, the paper explores the impact of digital platforms on the sustainable development practices of enterprises, seeking to comprehend how these platforms influence the implementation of environmental protection policies, resource management, and social responsibility initiatives.

Methods

To assess the impact of digital platforms on corporate environmental behavior, we conducted a questionnaire survey targeting employees in private enterprises. This survey aimed to evaluate the relationship between the adoption of digital platforms and the implementation of environmental protection policies and practices.

Results

Analysis of the survey responses revealed a significant positive correlation between the use of digital platforms and the environmental protection behavior of enterprises (r = 0.523 ; p < 0.001 ), Moreover, the presence of innovative environmental protection technologies on these platforms was found to positively influence the enforcement of environmental policies, with a calculated impact ratio of (a ∗ b / c = 55.31 % ). An intermediary analysis highlighted that environmental innovation technology plays a mediating role in this process. Additionally, adjustment analysis showed that enterprises of various sizes and industries respond differently to digital platforms, indicating the need for tailored environmental policies.

Discussion

These findings underscore the pivotal role of digital platforms in enhancing CSR efforts and public health by fostering improved environmental practices among corporations. The mediating effect of environmental innovation technologies suggests that digital platforms not only facilitate direct environmental actions but also enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of such initiatives through technological advances. The variability in response by different enterprises points to the importance of customizable strategies in policy formulation. By offering empirical evidence of digital platforms' potential to advance CSR and public health through environmental initiatives, this paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable development goals. It provides practical insights for enterprises and policy implications for governments striving to craft more effective environmental policies and strategies.

Cultural landscape resilience evaluation of Great Wall Villages: A case study of three villages in Chicheng County

The Great Wall Villages (GWVs) are linked to the Great Wall in history, culture, and ecology. The cultural landscape resilience of Great Wall Villages (CLRGWVs) is distinctly significant. However, it is influenced by urbanization, pollution, and a lack of awareness of cultural landscape protection. Therefore, conservation and development practices still lack scientific strategies and guidance. This study proposes a new assessment system to quantify CLRGWVs, an analysis of the main influencing factors of resilience, and optimization paths to maintain sustainable development. Based on the socio-ecological system, this research designed the assessment with three criteria, eleven factors, and thirty-three indexes from the perspective of CLRGWVs. Furthermore, a demonstration test was constructed in Ningyuanbao Village, Dushikou Village, and Longmensuo Village in Chicheng County, Hebei Province, China. The results showed that there is some disparity between the three GWVs, with the resilience score of Dushikou Village being the highest in terms of resistance and learning. In contrast, Ningyuanbao Village's resilience score is the lowest since resistance, recovery, and learning capacity are lower than in Dushikou and Longmensuo. Some influencing factors were found to be highly related to adaptive capacity. Lastly, some low-resilience aspects were identified as critical improvement targets for which corresponding optimization strategies should be proposed. This could be applied to streamline resilience optimization paths according to local conditions. This paper provides new ideas and directions for dealing with the sustainable development of villages and the conservation of cultural landscapes. It will also help villages deal with the relationship between socio-economic development and the conservation of cultural landscapes.

Does green investment affect environment pollution: Evidence from asymmetric ARDL approach?

Pollution in the environment is today the biggest issue facing the globe and the main factor in the development of many fatal diseases. The main objective of the study to investigate green investments, economic growth and financial development on environmental pollution in the G-7 countries. This study used annual penal data from 1997 to 2021. The panel NARDL (Non-linear autoregressive distributed lag) results affirm that the positive change of green investment and negative shock in green investment have a significant and positive association with environment pollution in G-7 nations. Our findings provide more evidence for the long-term asymmetry between financial development and environmental performance. However, the findings confirm that a positive modification in financial development has a positive and significant effect on environment pollution. Whereas negative shock in financial development is negative and insignificant relationship with environment pollution. Moreover, the outcomes of the study reveal that both positive shock in gross domestic product growth and negative shock of economic growth have a significant and positive link with environment pollution in G-7 countries. According to the findings, by lowering carbon dioxide emissions, green investments reduced environmental pollution in the G-7 nations over the long and short term. Moreover, it is an innovative research effort that provides light on the connection between green investments, financial development, and the environment while making mention to the EKC in G-7 countries. After all these, our recommendation is to increases green investment expenditures to reduce environmental pollution in the G-7 nations based on our findings. Additionally, one important way for the nation to achieve its sustainable development goals is to improve advancements in the financial sector.

Research on total factor energy efficiency in western China based on the three-stage DEA-Tobit model

As an essential material basis and power source for economic and social development, Western China's low energy use efficiency has hindered its sustainable economic development. This study aims to evaluate the total factor energy efficiency of the region and identify its influencing factors. A three-stage DEA model was used to measure the efficiency of 11 provinces from 2006 to 2021, and the Tobit model was employed to investigate internal factors. The findings show that (i) external environmental factors and stochastic perturbations have a significant impact on TFEE in the western region, overestimating integrated efficiency and scale efficiency and underestimating pure technical efficiency. (ii) the study of external influencing factors finds that the level of economic development increases input redundancy; the industrial structure increases capital input and labor input redundancy while decreasing energy input redundancy; and the energy consumption structure increases capital input and energy input redundancy while decreasing labor input redundancy. (iii) the study of internal influencing factors finds that the level of scientific and technological innovation, the level of openness to the outside world, and the TFEE have a positive correlation. In contrast, the intensity of environmental regulation has a negative correlation.