Journal Description
Sustainability
Sustainability
is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal on environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings, published semimonthly online by MDPI. The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) are affiliated with Sustainability and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE and SSCI (Web of Science), GEOBASE, GeoRef, Inspec, AGRIS, RePEc, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Environmental Studies) / CiteScore - Q1 (Geography, Planning and Development)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about Sustainability.
- Companion journals for Sustainability include: World, Sustainable Chemistry, Conservation, Future Transportation, Architecture, Standards, Merits and Wind.
Impact Factor:
3.9 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
4.0 (2022)
Latest Articles
Examined in Theory—Applicable in Practice: Potentials of Sustainable Industrial Heritage Conservation in a Contemporary Context—The Case of Belgrade
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2820; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072820 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The industrial heritage of the city of Belgrade is the focus of this research, which highlights the possibilities of preserving industrial heritage from the perspective of a contemporary context and sustainable development. Guided by theoretical principles on the preservation of cultural and industrial
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The industrial heritage of the city of Belgrade is the focus of this research, which highlights the possibilities of preserving industrial heritage from the perspective of a contemporary context and sustainable development. Guided by theoretical principles on the preservation of cultural and industrial heritage, their values, authenticity and spirit of place, as well as the idea of the necessity of integrating industrial heritage into the contemporary context, this paper aims to examine the possibilities for the preservation of industrial heritage following theoretically established principles, with the introduction of new uses and sustainable solutions. The analysis of the case studies of Belgrade’s industrial heritage presented in this paper results from research conducted by the teachers, associates and students of the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture. The research focuses on the possibilities of translating the principles of preserving cultural and industrial heritage from their theoretical definition to practical application. The students’ conceptual solutions for protection, revitalisation and presentation of the analysed case studies represent the research results. An important aspect of this paper is defining the criteria for valorising students’ conceptual solutions, which are aligned with the principles of preserving cultural heritage and establishing sustainable development. The valorisation of students’ conceptual solutions through a defined set of criteria indicates real possibilities for the simultaneous preservation of all the values of industrial heritage and its transformation into a social, ecological and economic resource of the contemporary city.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Conservation of Urban and Cultural Heritage)
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Open AccessArticle
Dependence of Ships Turning at Port Turning Basins on Clearance under the Ship’s Keel
by
Vytautas Paulauskas and Donatas Paulauskas
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2819; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072819 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Turning ships in port turning basins is an important and responsible operation, mainly involving the ship itself and the port tugboats. Such operations involve many maneuvers that consume a lot of energy (fuel) and emit a lot of emissions. Turning basins in harbors
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Turning ships in port turning basins is an important and responsible operation, mainly involving the ship itself and the port tugboats. Such operations involve many maneuvers that consume a lot of energy (fuel) and emit a lot of emissions. Turning basins in harbors and quay approaches are, in most cases, relatively shallow. This paper examines the turning of ships in port turning basins using harbor tugboats, the effect of shallow depth on ship turning, energy (fuel) consumption and the generation of emissions during such maneuvers of harbor tugboats. This paper presents the developed theoretical models, and the experimental results on theoretical models that were verified on real ships and using calibrated simulators. Discussions and conclusions were prepared on the basis of the research results. The use of the developed methodology makes it possible to increase shipping safety, optimize maneuvers and reduce energy (fuel) consumption when turning ships in the port and, at the same time, reduce the amount of fuel consumed by port tugboats and reduce the number of emissions of tugboats during such operations.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Maritime Transportation)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Transforming Public Service Delivery: A Comprehensive Review of Digitization Initiatives
by
Jonathan Jacob Paul Latupeirissa, Ni Luh Yulyana Dewi, I Kadek Rian Prayana, Melati Budi Srikandi, Sahri Aflah Ramadiansyah and Ida Bagus Gde Agung Yoga Pramana
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2818; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072818 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
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Digital transformation improves public services by integrating digital technology. The rapid use of digital technology in the public sector may marginalize groups without access to or familiarity with digital platforms. This can create a digital divide, worsening inequities by leaving people who cannot
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Digital transformation improves public services by integrating digital technology. The rapid use of digital technology in the public sector may marginalize groups without access to or familiarity with digital platforms. This can create a digital divide, worsening inequities by leaving people who cannot access digital services behind. This research will examine public service delivery digital transformation projects and their effects on local governments. The study uses a thorough literature evaluation and case studies of digital transformation projects in different nations. Scopus was used to find relevant content and current public sector digitization research, papers, and publications and they were examined. The study included a variety of opinions on the issue. The assessment found that digital transformation improves efficiency, citizen involvement, and government accountability in public service delivery. Digital transformation may face obstacles that must be overcome. This research demonstrated that improving organizational efficiency, meeting citizen expectations, and responding to superior demands from higher authorities drive digital change in public service delivery. This study stresses technological readiness as a critical driver of local government digital transformation. Opponents’ concerns should be addressed in future research and practice, such as digital service delivery inclusivity and accessibility, cost and resource management, and data security and privacy.
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Impact of Digital Transformation on ESG Management and Corporate Performance: Focusing on the Empirical Comparison between Korea and China
by
Huifang Liu and Jin-Sup Jung
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2817; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072817 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
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With the development of digital technology, tasks such as carbon neutrality have emerged as global issues because of the climate crisis. Digital transformation (DT) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) management have already become strategic requirements on the agenda of corporate management,
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With the development of digital technology, tasks such as carbon neutrality have emerged as global issues because of the climate crisis. Digital transformation (DT) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) management have already become strategic requirements on the agenda of corporate management, but theories and empirical research on how to affect corporate performance through digital transformation and ESG management are lacking. This study examined the intrinsic mechanism of DT to corporate performance based on the theory of a resource-based view (RBV). In addition, the theoretical framework of ESG management as mediating variables was constructed. The ‘Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM)’ was used to verify the hypotheses derived from the literature. Empirical analysis was conducted on companies interested in DT and ESG management in Korea and China. DT positively affected ESG management and corporate performance (e.g., non-financial and financial performance). On the other hand, an examination of the relationship between ESG management and corporate performance revealed differences between the results from Korea and China. The strategic implications for corporate DT and ESG management are suggested. In particular, this study also contributes to the academic aspect by providing new explanations for applying resource-based view theory and the relationship between DT, ESG management, and corporate performance.
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Open AccessArticle
Gender and Socioeconomic Influences on Ten Pro-Environmental Behavior Intentions: A German Comparative Study
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Paul Schulz, Susanne Nicolai, Samuel Tomczyk, Silke Schmidt, Philipp Franikowski and Susanne Stoll-Kleemann
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2816; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072816 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) such as climate-friendly mobility and eating habits hold great promise in terms of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, thus, are important goals for addressing climate change from a population perspective. Yet, sociodemographic correlates and differences in PEB intentions have
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Pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) such as climate-friendly mobility and eating habits hold great promise in terms of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, thus, are important goals for addressing climate change from a population perspective. Yet, sociodemographic correlates and differences in PEB intentions have to be considered in designing messages and behavior change interventions. This study implemented a quota-sampling survey (N = 979, 511 women, 468 men, age M = 50.4, SD = 17.2) of the German population and found that, overall, participants exhibit strong intentions to engage in various PEBs, with the exception of cycling and adopting a vegetarian diet. Moreover, women displayed higher intentions to engage in PEBs compared to men, particularly in adopting a vegetarian diet. The relationships between socioeconomic status (SES) and PEB intentions, as well as the combined effects of gender and SES, were inconsistent for different PEB intentions. We conclude that on a population level, intention-building interventions are necessary for vegetarianism and cycling, while for the other PEBs, interventions may focus on closing the intention–behavior gap. There is a need to further research the interplay of different PEBs in diverse groups and for interventional studies targeting the discrepancy in eating habits across genders.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transformation to Sustainability and Behavior Change)
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The Innovative Entrepreneurial Marketing Journey and Sustainable Development of Southeast Asian Immigrants
by
Yu-Heng Chen
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2815; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072815 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The southeast Asian new immigrants face significant barriers in employment due to language and cultural differences, making it challenging for them to find jobs. Consequently, many southeast Asian immigrants have turned to entrepreneurship as a means to achieve economic independence and contribute to
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The southeast Asian new immigrants face significant barriers in employment due to language and cultural differences, making it challenging for them to find jobs. Consequently, many southeast Asian immigrants have turned to entrepreneurship as a means to achieve economic independence and contribute to their family’s income. This study adopts entrepreneurial marketing (EM) as a theoretical lens and utilizes a process research methodology, based on sequentially ordered events, to explore the entrepreneurial journey of immigrant micro and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Employing purposive sampling, twenty-two southeast Asian immigrant entrepreneurs were selected for in-depth interviews to ensure data quality through multiple data collection methods. The research developed a dynamic adjustment model and management mechanisms for the entrepreneurial marketing of immigrant micro and SMEs. These findings not only bridge theoretical gaps in immigrant entrepreneurship strategy but also deepen the academic understanding of the dynamism in entrepreneurial marketing. Practically, the outcomes assist immigrant micro and small business entrepreneurs in developing operational strategies and serve as a reference for governmental units in crafting immigrant policies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Innovation in SMEs)
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The Spatiotemporal Impact of Digital Economy on High-Quality Agricultural Development: Evidence from China
by
Qi Li and Zhijiao Liu
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2814; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072814 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
China’s high-quality economic development is strongly supported by the high-quality development of agriculture, and the digital economy has emerged as a key driver for promoting shared prosperity and high-quality economic development. Against this backdrop, investigating the connection between high-quality agricultural development and the
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China’s high-quality economic development is strongly supported by the high-quality development of agriculture, and the digital economy has emerged as a key driver for promoting shared prosperity and high-quality economic development. Against this backdrop, investigating the connection between high-quality agricultural development and the digital economy holds significant importance. This study utilized the entropy-weighted TOPSIS model to evaluate comprehensive evaluation indicators of the two according to panel data from 30 provinces in China between 2011 and 2021. Subsequently, GIS spatial analysis and exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) were employed to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution features and spatial correlations. Finally, the spatiotemporal geographically weighted regression (GTWR) model was constructed to examine the spatiotemporal impact of the digital economy on the advancement of high-quality agricultural growth. The results indicate that: (1) from 2011 to 2021, China’s high-quality agricultural development and digital economy both demonstrated a general increasing trend. In terms of spatial distribution, there were significant spatial variations, with a general trend of “Southeast is higher, whereas the Northwest is lower”. The regions with significant value were primarily clustered in the coastal areas in the east and several provincial capitals. (2) Both of the two exhibited significant global spatial self-correlation, and there were also significant spatiotemporal clustering effects in high-quality agricultural growth, gradually forming a high-value cluster centered around Shanghai and a low-value cluster centered around western provinces. (3) The digital economy positively influences the enhancement of high-quality agricultural development, demonstrating notable spatial and temporal heterogeneity. In contrast to the southeastern areas, the influence is more pronounced in the northern and central-western areas.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development)
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Do Economic and Social Satisfaction Matter Equally in Sustainable Business? Hotel Membership Types and Sales Promotions
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Tianhao Wen and Hong-Youl Ha
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2813; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072813 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Customer responses to economic and social satisfaction are important in business-to-business transactions; however, these responses can vary when customer segments and sales promotions are combined. This study investigates the roles of two satisfaction types by demonstrating three-way interactions with two moderators: memberships and
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Customer responses to economic and social satisfaction are important in business-to-business transactions; however, these responses can vary when customer segments and sales promotions are combined. This study investigates the roles of two satisfaction types by demonstrating three-way interactions with two moderators: memberships and promotion levels. Using survey data on paid hotel memberships in Korea, this study focuses on the moderated moderation effects of hotel membership type and sales promotions. The authors find that sales promotions positively affect members’ behavioral intentions when they are economically or socially satisfied, regardless of the membership type. In particular, when social satisfaction is positive, the impact of sales promotions on paid membership renewal intentions increases dramatically regardless of the membership type. Meanwhile, lower-tiered members respond more positively to price discounts, increasing their paid membership renewal intentions. In contrast, premium members prefer coupons over price discounts. However, the slope of customer responses is steeper for social satisfaction than economic satisfaction, highlighting that the impact of sales promotions differs by membership type.
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(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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The Effects of Urbanization on Urban Land Green Use Efficiency of Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration: Mechanism from the Technological Innovation
by
Changyong Yang, Jianyuan Huang, Man Jiao and Qi Yang
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2812; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072812 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
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It is urgent and essential to explore the facilitating mechanism of urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) in promoting the coordinated development of humans and land. In this study, the SBM-DEA model was used to measure ULGUE from 26 cities across the Yangtze
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It is urgent and essential to explore the facilitating mechanism of urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) in promoting the coordinated development of humans and land. In this study, the SBM-DEA model was used to measure ULGUE from 26 cities across the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA) in China from 2006 to 2019. Desired (eco-friendly) outputs and undesired (non-eco-friendly) green outputs were considered in the selection of ULGUE indicators. This study explored the impact of the mechanism of green, digital, and transportation technological innovation on ULGUE in the process of urbanization by the mediation model. The results showed that urbanization has a positive effect on ULGUE and technological innovation, and for every 1% increase in urbanization, ULGUE increases by 0.048%. The results are still significant after robustness tests. The findings suggest that the improvement of social and economic benefits brought by urbanization in the YRDUA is greater than its negative impact. A mechanistic analysis showed that green, digital, and transportation technological innovation can amplify the positive impact by curbing the growth of energy consumption and alleviating pollution. Therefore, the government should promote ULGUE with technological innovation, construct an ULGUE assessment mechanism, incorporate the promotion of green land use into the planning of targets and incentives for technological innovation, and promote the efficient use of land.
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Open AccessReview
Food System vs. Sustainability: An Incompatible Relationship in Mexico
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Fatima Ezzahra Housni and Mariana Lares-Michel
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2811; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072811 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The Mexican food system has suffered deep transformations due to multiple technological advances and political and free trade agreements, transiting from a food system for self-consumption to a system based on exports and imports that has resulted in excessive agricultural activity intensification, leading
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The Mexican food system has suffered deep transformations due to multiple technological advances and political and free trade agreements, transiting from a food system for self-consumption to a system based on exports and imports that has resulted in excessive agricultural activity intensification, leading to environmental deterioration. Our species’ survival will depend on our capacity to manage systems, considering all ecosystems, especially the climate and food systems. International organizations insist that sustainable food systems could be a useful strategy to address malnutrition and hunger while respecting the environment. However, the food system in Mexico needs to be connected to the environmental, social, health, and food security dimensions. Sustainability in Mexico synthesizes the contradictions of agriculture and the Mexican diet, not only in its economic and productive dimensions but also in the social and environmental ones. Public policies in all sectors of the country must be interconnected and organized to guarantee the sustainability of a system that benefits the environment and population health while respecting the related economic and social elements. This review aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the Mexican food system’s history and current situation and analyze proposals for its sustainability.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food System and Climate Change: The Global Challenges for Transforming a More Sustainable Model)
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Spatiotemporal Heterogeneities in the Impact of Chinese Digital Economy Development on Carbon Emissions
by
Qiguang An, Lin Zheng and Mu Yang
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2810; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072810 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The digital economy plays an important role in reducing the global warming process. This paper explores the spatiotemporal heterogeneity impacts of the digital economy on provincial carbon emissions and its underlying mechanisms. Initially, this paper examines the inhibitory impact of the digital economy
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The digital economy plays an important role in reducing the global warming process. This paper explores the spatiotemporal heterogeneity impacts of the digital economy on provincial carbon emissions and its underlying mechanisms. Initially, this paper examines the inhibitory impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions, alongside the mediating role of economic agglomeration, at a theoretical level. Subsequently, it empirically explores the quantitative associations among the digital economy, economic agglomeration, and carbon emissions by utilizing Chinese provincial panel data spanning from 2000 to 2021. This investigation employed static and dynamic spatial Durbin models as well as mediation models to analyze the interrelationships. The results firstly revealed that the digital economy notably diminishes carbon emissions, with economic agglomeration playing a significant mediating role. This conclusion remained consistent even after substituting the explanatory variables and weight matrix, modifying the sample period, and conducting other robustness tests. Secondly, the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions exhibited spatial spillovers. Compared with the impact on the local area, the impact on neighboring provinces was found to be weaker. Thirdly, carbon emissions showed a significant “snowball” effect in the time dimension. This paper emphasizes the important role of digital technology in curbing carbon emissions, and it provides some policy insights for studying the digital economy, economic agglomeration, and carbon emissions. Furthermore, it offers valuable insight and suggestions to reduce carbon emissions and realize the goal of the “dual-carbon” strategy.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Low Carbon Economy and Sustainable Development)
Open AccessEditorial
Driving as a Service: Promoting a Sustainable Transition to Automated Driving
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Sérgio Pedro Duarte, António Lobo, Sara Ferreira and António Couto
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2809; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072809 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Automated vehicles (AVs) promise to make a revolution in the mobility paradigm and to bring benefits for traffic management and environmental quality, improving, in general, the quality of life in society [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Collaborative Technology for a Sustainable Transition to Automated Driving)
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Open AccessArticle
Electrospun 3D Curly Electret Nanofiber Air Filters for Particulate Pollutants
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Wei Zhao, Kelimu Tulugan, Xin Zhang, Xiang Li and Peng Tian
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2808; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072808 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
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Amidst rapid industrialization and urbanization, air pollution has emerged as a global environmental challenge. Traditional air filtration materials face challenges in effectively filtering PM0.3 and often result in discomfort due to high air resistance when used for personal protection, as well as excessive
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Amidst rapid industrialization and urbanization, air pollution has emerged as a global environmental challenge. Traditional air filtration materials face challenges in effectively filtering PM0.3 and often result in discomfort due to high air resistance when used for personal protection, as well as excessive energy consumption in industrial air purification applications. This study initially utilized extremely high environmental humidity to induce fiber formation, resulting in the preparation of a fluffy fiber membrane with a three-dimensional curly morphology, which increased the porosity to 96.93%, significantly reducing air resistance during filtration. Subsequently, rutile TiO2 with a high dielectric constant was introduced, exploiting the low pressure drop characteristic of the fluffy 3D curly fiber membrane combined with the electret effect of TiO2 nanoparticles to notably improve the issue of excessive pressure drops while maintaining filtration efficiency. The microstructure, morphology, and element distribution of the fibers were analyzed using FESEM and EDS. FTIR and XRD were employed to examine the functional groups and crystal structure within the fibers. The electret effect and filtration performance of the fiber membrane were investigated using an electrostatic tester and a particulate filtration efficiency tester. The results demonstrated that inducing fiber formation under high-humidity conditions could produce fibers with a 3D curly structure. The fiber membrane was highly fluffy, significantly reducing the pressure drop. Introducing an appropriate amount of titanium dioxide markedly improved the electrostatic effect of the fiber membrane, enhancing the filtration performance of the 3D curly PVDF/TiO2 composite fiber membrane. With a 0.5% addition of TiO2 nanoparticles, the filtration efficiency of the fiber membrane reached approximately 99.197%, with a pressure drop of about 49.83 Pa. This study offers a new approach to developing efficient, low-resistance air filtration materials, showcasing the potential of material innovation in addressing air quality challenges within the sustainable development framework.
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Open AccessArticle
Drivers of Student Social Entrepreneurial Intention Amid the Economic Crisis in Lebanon: A Mediation Model
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Batoul Toufaily and Najib Bou Zakhem
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072807 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Entrepreneurship, once a choice, has now evolved into a critical lifeline for the youth in Lebanon amid a prolonged and extensive economic crisis, now entering its fourth year. This crisis has triggered a shift in the mindset of Lebanese youth, driven by the
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Entrepreneurship, once a choice, has now evolved into a critical lifeline for the youth in Lebanon amid a prolonged and extensive economic crisis, now entering its fourth year. This crisis has triggered a shift in the mindset of Lebanese youth, driven by the high unemployment rate, acting as a catalyst for a transition towards entrepreneurship as a viable career choice. This study underscores the necessity of comprehending the determinants shaping social entrepreneurial intentions among Lebanese students. The goal is to identify these determinants, allowing for the implementation of necessary measures to not only enhance these intentions but also facilitate their transformation into tangible actions, thereby propelling economic growth and fostering sustainable development. The research investigates the intricate interplay of entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial passion, and moral obligation, with entrepreneurial self-efficacy serving as a mediating factor. Conducting a survey among 265 participants from four universities in Lebanon using convenience sampling, this research employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis. The results reveal that entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial passion significantly boost students’ belief in their entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Simultaneously, entrepreneurial self-efficacy intensifies students’ entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, a positive correlation is observed between moral obligation and social entrepreneurial intention. These findings hold significant implications for educators and policymakers, offering insights to guide initiatives aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial education and fostering an environment conducive to socially impactful ventures, in light of the economic and political crisis that Lebanon is currently facing. Likewise, researchers can gain insights from the theoretical foundations of the present study and discover possible pathways for future analyses. Moreover, integrating sustainability principles into entrepreneurial education could further amplify the social and economic impact of ventures in Lebanon’s challenging context.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Economy and the Continuous Technological Revolution: Rethinking Entrepreneurial Skills)
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Open AccessArticle
Integration of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Index and Biophysical Assessment for Sustainable Ecotourism Mangrove: A Case Study of Karangsong, Indonesia
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Donny Juliandri Prihadi, Guanghai Zhang, Ghulam M. Lahbar and Buntora Pasaribu
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2806; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072806 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Marine ecotourism is one of the pivotal sectors that supports the sustainability of marine ecosystems and elevates the socioeconomic status of the country. Karangsong is located on the northern side of the Indramayu districts, covering approximately 25 hectares of mangrove. The significant number
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Marine ecotourism is one of the pivotal sectors that supports the sustainability of marine ecosystems and elevates the socioeconomic status of the country. Karangsong is located on the northern side of the Indramayu districts, covering approximately 25 hectares of mangrove. The significant number of tourists visiting sites of mangrove ecotourism in Indonesia contributed to the tourist intentions associated with the diversity of mangrove and management strategies. How the community-based tourism (CBT) index aligns with biophysical assessment is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the interconnectedness between the community-based tourism (CBT) index and biophysical assessment to measure the ratio number of tourists using the carrying capacity and sustainability index in Karangsong. A potential new suitability index for mangrove tourism was created. The various factors such as the mangrove ecosystem, substrate, and suitability that impacted the development of mangrove tourism were quantitatively analyzed. Our study identified that the majority of mangrove ecotourism sites in Karangsong Indramayu Regency consist of rich diverse mangrove species. The biophysical characteristics of the mangrove ecosystem were assessed with a suitability index of 83.7%. Our results indicated that the operations of mangrove tourism in the Karangsong region are well-managed and maintained. The region has a carrying capacity of 803 people/day, which refers to the maximum number of individuals for this area. This finding provides a more detailed understanding of the contribution of the new sustainability index of mangrove tourism and community-based tourism (CBT) approach assessing the potential development and challenges in the management of mangrove forests ecotourism.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tourism Development: Exploring Social and Economic Implications)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Educational Practice in Education for Environmental Justice: A Systematic Review of the Literature
by
Irene Guevara-Herrero, Beatriz Bravo-Torija and José Manuel Pérez-Martín
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2805; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072805 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The environmental crisis makes it necessary to reconsider the practices of environmental education (EE) and guide them towards a transformative perspective to promote critical reflection and the ability to make decisions in the face of complex problems, including a perspective of justice. Using
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The environmental crisis makes it necessary to reconsider the practices of environmental education (EE) and guide them towards a transformative perspective to promote critical reflection and the ability to make decisions in the face of complex problems, including a perspective of justice. Using the PRISMA systematic review protocol, this article analysed 49 classroom intervention published on international journals to identify the limitations when working on EE in early childhood education, primary education, and pre-service teacher training classrooms from an environmental justice (EJ) perspective. Considering the variables “contents”, “depth of the interventions”, “actions required of students”, and “resources”, the results show a predominance of interventions that promote content knowledge from an ecological perspective and demand actions far removed from reflection and participation, using self-made materials. By not encouraging students to reflect on environmental issues in a holistic way to change their behaviour, it was confirmed that they move away from systems thinking, critical literacy, and action competence. Therefore, there is a lack of integration of the EJ perspective in classroom practices. To achieve educational success in terms of social change for environmental protection, it is necessary to promote research work focused on the didactics of EE including a social justice perspective.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Education for Sustainable Development: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities)
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Open AccessArticle
Categorization of the Potential Impact of Italian Quarries on Water Resources through a Multi-Criteria Decision Aiding-Based Model
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Matteo Paoletti, Vincenzo Piscopo, Chiara Sbarbati and Antonino Scarelli
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2804; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072804 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Quarrying has great importance for economic development and, at the same time, can have several adverse environmental impacts; specifically, it may have a significant influence on water resources. There are approximately 4000 quarries in Italy, and knowledge of their potential impact on water
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Quarrying has great importance for economic development and, at the same time, can have several adverse environmental impacts; specifically, it may have a significant influence on water resources. There are approximately 4000 quarries in Italy, and knowledge of their potential impact on water resources is limited. To this end, a procedure for categorizing Italian quarries was devised by combining the methods of Geographic Information Systems and Multi-Criteria Decision Aiding, selecting the potentially impactful criteria, and parametrizing the latter through the available databases. Using the ELECTRE models (ELECTRE TRI and ELECTRE III), the impact category of each quarry was assessed separately for surface water and groundwater and then the overall impact on water resources was assessed. The simulations were carried out by varying the weights of the various selected criteria, which allowed the grouping of Italian quarries into five categories with increasing potential impact on water resources. The ranking of quarries falling into the two highest-impact categories was further refined using ascending and descending distillations. The categorization can be interpreted as a first national assessment of the sustainability of quarrying activities with reference to water resources. The methodological approach of the study proved to be appropriate for the quarry-sorting and -ranking processes, lending itself to the introduction of other criteria and weights, including those arising from the participation of different stakeholders.
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(This article belongs to the Section Resources and Sustainable Utilization)
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Open AccessReview
Socio-Economic Dynamics Inhibiting Inclusive Urban Economic Development: Implications for Sustainable Urban Development in South African Cities
by
Robert Mutemi Kajiita and Simon Murote Kang’ethe
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2803; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072803 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Globally, the need for sustainable urban development has never been more urgent than it is now. This is because estimates indicate that more than half of the global population will be living in urban areas by 2050, with South Africa estimated at 80%.
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Globally, the need for sustainable urban development has never been more urgent than it is now. This is because estimates indicate that more than half of the global population will be living in urban areas by 2050, with South Africa estimated at 80%. This paper focuses on socio-economic nuances that impede sustainable urban development, as well as the strategies that can accelerate sustainable and inclusive urban development in South Africa. Through a literature-review methodology, the analysis identified the following issues as impediments to sustainable urban development in South Africa: informality, lack of consultations with urban citizens, unresolved apartheid legacies, crime and insecurity, and migration intricacies in South Africa. The paper also establishes prospective strategies to accelerate sustainable urban development, such as working with informality and not against it, promoting inclusivity and access to resources, accelerating policy reforms, investing in rural towns, and investing in superior technology and innovation. These findings imply that there is a need to seek alternative development models and approaches, to address poverty, unemployment, and poor housing, aspects that negatively impact urban development planning and sustainable development. The paper recommends inclusive urban housing as a remedy to address the challenges of access, affordability, and the quality of housing facilities in urban areas.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Economic Development and Planning: Sustainable Development)
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Open AccessArticle
Drainage Practice of Rice Paddies as a Sustainable Agronomic Management for Mitigating the Emission of Two Carbon-Based Greenhouse Gases (CO2 and CH4): Field Pilot Study in South Korea
by
Wonjae Hwang, Minseok Park, Kijong Cho and Seunghun Hyun
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2802; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072802 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Rice is one of the staple foods in Asian countries, and rice paddies are significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural sectors. In addition, drainage practice has been recognized as a key factor influencing both rice production and GHG emissions. In
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Rice is one of the staple foods in Asian countries, and rice paddies are significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural sectors. In addition, drainage practice has been recognized as a key factor influencing both rice production and GHG emissions. In this field pot study, the effect of drainage method (e.g., intermittent drainage (ID) and continuous flooding (CF)) on GHG (CO2 and CH4) emissions was determined from three Korean paddies (BG, MG, and JS series), varying soil properties such as soil texture, labile carbon, and mineral types. The emission of GHGs was evidently influenced by the drainage, depending on the paddy’s redox (Eh) shift upon flooding events. The Eh decline upon flooding was slower in JS pot, where pore-water concentration of ferric and sulfate ions is the highest (~up to 3-fold) among three paddies. MG pot was 2- to 3-fold more percolative than the others and the Eh drop during the flooding period was the smallest (staying above −50 mV). In ID treatment, CH4 emission (t CO2-eq ha−1 y−1) was reduced in a wide range by 5.6 for JS pot, 2.08 for BG pot, and 0.29 for MG pot relative to CF, whereas CO2 emissions (t CO2-eq ha−1 y−1) were increased by 1.25 for JS pot, 1.07 for BG pot, and 0.48 for MG pot due to the enhanced oxidation of labile carbon. Grain yield and aboveground biomass production from ID were no less than those from CF (p < 0.05). Consequently, the increase in global warming potential (Σ GWP) by ID varied as the order of JS (37%) > BG (14%) > MG (~0%) pots, and the negligible effect observed for MG pot is due to the equivalent trade-off between CO2 and CH4. The different benefits of drainage practices among paddy pots is due to the redox response of paddy systems. The findings will be helpful to promote the efficacy of drainage practice on mitigating GHG emissions for the sustainable agronomic management of rice paddies in response to climate change.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilisation Technologies (CCS/CCU) - 2nd Volume)
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Open AccessArticle
Multi-Scale Analysis of Surface Building Density and Land Subsidence Using a Combination of Wavelet Transform and Spatial Autocorrelation in the Plains of Beijing
by
Shuai Jiao, Xiaojuan Li, Jie Yu, Mingyuan Lyu, Ke Zhang, Yuehui Li and Pengyuan Shi
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2801; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072801 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Land subsidence is a major issue in the Beijing Plain in China, caused by the construction of new buildings and infrastructure combined with groundwater extraction. This study employs a multi-level two-dimensional wavelet decomposition to decompose land subsidence into high- and low-frequency components, and
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Land subsidence is a major issue in the Beijing Plain in China, caused by the construction of new buildings and infrastructure combined with groundwater extraction. This study employs a multi-level two-dimensional wavelet decomposition to decompose land subsidence into high- and low-frequency components, and Moran’s I index to analyze the spatial distribution of land subsidence and its main influencing factors. By comparing the spatial distributions of the high- and low-frequency components, we estimate the correlation between land subsidence and influencing factors at different scales. Utilizing a combination of wavelet decomposition and Moran’s I analysis, our study establishes a clear spatial correlation between continuously varying factors such as groundwater and clay layer thickness, and the low-frequency components of land subsidence, allowing for a focused analysis of the relationship between surface building density and the high-frequency components of land subsidence. Quantitatively, the study identifies a significant correlation at specific granularities, particularly at 480 m and 960 m, underscoring the nuanced interaction between urban development and land subsidence patterns. These insights into the spatial distribution of land subsidence and its contributing factors can inform the development of effective strategies to address this issue.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts on Groundwater Resources and Adaptation Strategies)
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