bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student Perceptions of Pedagogical Approaches to Integrating the SDG 8 into Business School Education
Authors: Elmassri Moataz , Pajuelo María Luisa , Alahbabi Abdulhadi Ali , Alali Ahmed Mohamed , Alzitawi Moufak , Hussain Hamdan , Alnabhani Khaled , Elrazaz Tariq
Published: September 2023

This paper aims to assess students’ perceptions regarding the extent of integration of the eighth principal Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 8) “promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all” into an undergraduate business school (BS) course. We analyzed students’ perceptions with respect to three pedagogical themes: content/curriculum; knowledge and skills; and awareness and attitudes. Based on legitimacy theory, we conducted a survey of 124 students at a globally accredited business school that has been a pioneer in terms of integrating SDGs into business school education in the Middle East and particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which we refer to as Alpha Business School (ABS). A Q-methodology approach was adopted by designing a concourse of 37 statements. Our research findings highlight that in response to institutional governmental pressure to implement the SDGs at all levels in the country, ABS has begun to integrate the SDGs into its practice, including undergraduate courses. However, after a more in-depth analysis, the findings suggest that traditional learning methods and a “business as usual” mentality continue to prevail as a management paradigm among students and that, therefore, ABS has only embedded SDG 8 symbolically without undergoing a full substantive change. In conclusion, further work is needed to incorporate the SDGs into all dimensions of the business school’s activities and to promote new methodologies, skills, and competencies. This paper is helpful for accounting educators and curriculum setters in the process of revamping accounting curricula to reflect the importance of sustainability education. The results of this study have professional, academic, and policy-making implications.
Augmented Gravity Model of Trade with Social Network Analysis
Authors: Coşkuner Çağay , Sogah Richard
Published: September 2023

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes international trade as an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, and an important means to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Given this role, international trade and global trade networks have received preeminent attention in recent times due to the sharp growth in trade volumes and their contributions to poverty reduction and sustainable development over the years. Despite the growth in global trade volumes and the associated benefits, there are worrying concerns about the unprecedented changes in international trade patterns and growing imbalances in trade in recent times. Whereas China’s trade volumes have more than tripled over recent decades and have maintained the largest trade surplus spot ahead of Germany, other major trade surplus countries such as Japan, the USA, etc., have become trade deficit countries with their trade volumes increasing at a much slower pace. In view of the growing changes in international trade patterns and the need to understand the dynamics of the widening global trade imbalances among major trading partners, this paper investigates the factors that determine the export performance of countries. More specifically, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the forces that determine the export performance of countries using an augmented gravity model that includes social networks. The paper provides useful insights into the underlying currents responsible for the changes in international trade patterns. Using data from 51 countries for 41 years, our results indicate that the GDP of both the home country and the partner country affects the home country’s exports positively. Similarly, the real effective exchange rate REER, trade openness OPEN, and dummy variables BORDER, ENGLISH, and EU have produced positive and statistically significant coefficient estimates, and these are in line with our theoretical expectations.
Corporate Sustainability: The Impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance on Corporate Development and Innovation
Authors: Ma Defang , Li Liangwei , Song Yuxi , Wang Mengkai , Han Qiaowen
Published: September 2023

As a comprehensive concept that integrates the environment, society, and corporate governance, little is known about whether and how Esg affects firm development, as the concept of sustainable development is deepened and promoted. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of Esg performance on corporate development. This paper selects the data of A-share-listed companies from 2010 to 2020 as samples, utilizes the linear regression model to empirically study the impact mechanism of Esg performance on enterprise development, and considers transmission pathways. It is found that the development of high-technology firms is more significantly affected by Esg performance than the development of non-high-technology firms. It is further found that Esg performance can promote enterprise development by reducing financing constraints. Meanwhile, corporate innovation can enhance the promotion effect of Esg performance on corporate development. After the robustness tests of instrumental variables and the lagged effects, the research conclusions still hold.
Reduction in Residential Electricity Bill and Carbon Dioxide Emission through Renewable Energy Integration Using an Adaptive Feed-Forward Neural Network System and MPPT Technique
Authors: Balakrishnan Ravichandran , Geetha Vedadri , Kumar Muthusamy Rajeev , Leung Man-Fai
Published: September 2023

Increasing electricity demand and the emergence of smart grids have given home energy management systems new potential. This research investigates the use of an artificial neural network algorithm for a home energy management system. The system keeps track of and organizes the use of electrical appliances in a typical home with the objective of lowering consumer electricity bills. An artificial-neural-network-based maximum-power-point-tracking scheme is applied to maximize power generation from photovoltaic sources. The proposed neural network senses solar energy and calculates load requirements to switch between solar and grid sources effectively. The implementation of improved source utility does not require numerical calculations. Traditional relational operator techniques and fuzzy logic controllers are compared with the suggested neural network. The model is simulated in MATLAB, and the results show that the artificial neural network performs better in terms of source switching following load demand, with an operating time of less than 2 s and a reduced error of 0.05%. The suggested strategy reduces electricity costs without affecting consumer satisfaction and contributes to environmental friendliness by reducing CO2 emissions.
Performance and Mechanism of High-Viscosity and High-Elasticity Bitumen (HVE-MB) Modified with Five Additives
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Jiang Gangping , Yan Shuting , Feng Jianlin , Li Da
Published: September 2023

In order to improve the viscoelasticity of bitumen, several modifiers were compounded with it, including SBS, reclaimed rubber powder, tackifier, plasticizer, and oil stabilizer, to produce High-viscosity and High-elastic Modified Bitumen (HVE-MB). The viscoelasticity and various physical and rheological properties of the bitumen were evaluated using a number of factors, such as dynamic viscosity at 60 °C, elastic recovery, penetration, softening point, ductility, and DSR. By comparing different types of modifiers and the content of SBS, it was found that the viscoelasticity of the original bitumen was significantly improved by adding the modifiers. In comparison to the original bitumen, the dynamic viscosity of the HVE-MB increased by more than 110 times, the elastic recovery rate more than doubled, the softening point and ductility improved, and the penetration decreased. As the content of SBS increased, the improvement in the properties became more significant. The workability of HVE-MB satisfies the requirement of less than 2.5 °C by adding the suitable dosage of stabilizer. On the other hand, the content of SBS can be adjusted based on the specific requirements. It is a sustainable and economic way to use the reclaimed rubber powder to improve the technical performance of bitumen.
Improving Climate Resilience of Critical Assets: The ICARIA Project
Authors: Russo Beniamino , de la Cruz Coronas Àlex , Leone Mattia , Evans Barry , Brito Rita Salgado , Havlik Denis , Bügelmayer-Blaschek Marianne , Pacheco David , Sfetsos Athanasios
Published: September 2023

The number of climate-related disasters has progressively increased in the last two decades and this trend will drastically exacerbate in the medium- and long-term horizons according to climate change projections. In this framework, through a multi-disciplinary team and a strong background acquired in recent projects, ICARIA aims to promote the use of asset-level modeling to achieve a better understanding of climate related tangible direct and indirect impacts on critical assets due to complex, cascading, and compound disasters. Furthermore, it takes into account the related risk reduction provided by suitable, sustainable, and cost-effective adaptation solutions. ICARIA focuses on both (i) critical assets and services that were not designed for potential climate change-related impacts that can increase the unplanned outages and failures, and (ii) on housing, natural areas, and population. Cutting edge methods regarding climate scenario building, asset-level-coupled models, and multi-risk assessment approaches will be implemented and replicated in three EU regions to understand how future climate scenarios might affect critical assets and to provide decision-making support tools to private and public risk owners to assess the costs and benefits of various adaptation solutions.
Holistic Business Model Conceptualisation—Capturing Sustainability Contributions Illustrated by Nature-Based Solutions
Authors: Stork Simon , Morgenstern Rolf , Pölling Bernd , Feil Jan-Henning
Published: September 2023

Businesses are under pressure to increasingly consider sustainability as an integral part of the enterprise and business model. Nature-based solutions (NBS) definitions reflect that sustainability can be improved by implementing NBS. These NBS require tailored business models. Therefore, this study aims to conceptualize a holistic business model canvas capturing the sustainability contributions ofNBS. Methodically, the new Canvas is proposed based on an extensive literature review, and the application and testing are carried out on NBSs implemented in the proGIreg project’s three European Living Labs. As a result, by building on the Business Model Canvas (BMC) by Osterwalder and Pigneur as well as various modifications to capture the core concepts of sustainability and NBS, a new BMC for NBS is proposed—the nature-based sustainability Business Model Canvas (NB S BMC). It consists of 14 building blocks and offers a holistic overview of NBS business models considering the multi-faceted character of NBS. The case studies show that the NB S BMC can be applied to different contexts independently of their location and content orientation. Although this study development puts an emphasis on NBS, it can also be applied to capturing sustainable business models beyond the NBS domain.
Increased Humidity Improved Desert Riparian Ecosystems in the Tarim River Basin, Northwest China, from 1990 to 2020
Authors: Guo Xuefei , Zhu Lijun , Tang Yuansheng , Li Zhijun
Published: September 2023

Land use and land cover change (LULCC), along with the conversion of natural ecosystem cover into farmland, poses significant ecological challenges for desert riparian ecosystems. The Tarim River Basin (TRB), home to the world’s largest and most densely distributed and well-preserved desert riparian ecosystem, remains exceptionally susceptible to climate change. However, our understanding of the role of climatic factors (mean annual temperature (MAT); mean temperature during the warmest month (MWMT); relative humidity in September, October, and November (RH_SON); and the annual heat–moisture index (AHM)) in driving pattern changes in these ecosystems remains limited. To address this gap, we employed a transfer matrix approach coupled with geographically weighted regression models to conduct an extensive analysis of LULCC trends and their driving factors within the TRB from 1990 to 2020. The 30-year dataset on LULCC provided invaluable insights, revealing that the proliferation of farmland and shrubberies has precipitated the decline of arbor forests and grassland expanses. Furthermore, this expansion of farmland and shrubberies has resulted in heightened ecosystem fragmentation, particularly notable between 2005 and 2010. Our assessment indicates that artificial ecosystems are gradually transitioning back into natural states, encompassing 8.24% of the total area, chiefly attributed to the expanding shrubbery regions. Additionally, in-depth scrutiny of the impacts of climatic factors on ecosystem structure unveiled that moisture exerts the most pronounced influence on ecosystem patterns, followed by air moisture content during the growing season, while temperature exerts a relatively lesser impact. Overall, this study contributes to the realization of SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by informing conservation efforts and sustainable land management practices in dryland desert riparian ecosystems.
Cooperative Tourism Marketing in Accessible Tourism Development: The Case of the Cross-Border Area of Greece–Republic of Northern Macedonia
Authors: Kourkouridis Dimitris , Salepaki Asimenia
Published: September 2023

Cross-border cooperation is an important factor for the sustainability of border areas, while the accessibility of tourism businesses enhances inclusiveness in tourism. This article presents the results obtained from the comparative analysis of the accessibility of tourism businesses in the cross-border area of Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. The results show room for improvement, but also a great willingness to invest in business accessibility and staff training. Similarities and differences were also identified between the statuses of accessibility in the two countries. These results are particularly useful for the development of cooperation between the two countries, in order to create a single accessible tourist product, with the ultimate goal of differentiating the destinations and obtaining a competitive advantage, in the context of sustainable tourism development.
Monitoring the Performance of Sustainable Development Goals in the Italian Regions
Authors: D’Adamo Idiano , Gastaldi Massimo
Published: September 2023

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a shared agenda among countries but also a rallying point for forward-looking policy dialogue. Analysis and monitoring of the SDGs are decisive steps in evaluating possible corrective actions. This paper aims to reach two research objectives: (i) providing methodological insights for the application of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) in the evaluation of the SDGs and (ii) emphasizing the relevance of monitoring the outcomes of the SDGs by evaluating the Italian regions. For the first objective, an online survey among twenty academics is used, while for the second, an MCDA is proposed that compares the temporal performance of a sustainability score for each Italian region. The results, based on 27 targets, show that in 2021 the northern regions showed better performance, with the province of Trento topping the list. This is followed by Valle d’Aosta and the province of Bolzano, confirming the trio that emerged in the previous year. A very interesting fact is the growth of the central regions, which overall tend to reach a value close to that of the northern regions. In particular, Toscana, Marche and Lazio stand out for a good performance. It is also confirmed that the southern regions occupy the last places in the ranking with the only exception of Abruzzo. The implications of this paper suggest collaboration between different regions in order to achieve a social community in which resources and skills can be enhanced.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices for the Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Evidence and Recommendations
Authors: Marcelino Sara , Hamdane Samia , Gaspar Pedro D. , Paço Arminda
Published: September 2023

As the demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) increases, so does the pressure to intensify production, increasing the risk of overexploitation of these natural resources. Therefore, both consumers and companies must commit to sustainable practices. Since sustainable practices in MAP production are scattered in the literature, this study aims to provide a comprehensive compilation of agricultural practices to improve sustainable performance in productive activities. This study collects recommended practices for cultivation, harvesting, drying, extraction of essential oils, and packaging, based on guidelines published by the World Health Organization, the European Herb Growers Association, and the European Medicines Agency, and presents complementary information from scientific papers and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Since the circular economy is considered one of the solutions to foster sustainability, the potential for valorising residues from MAP processing is also highlighted. This study allowed us to identify a set of key parameters that should be monitored in MAP production, which may be a starting point for designing a sustainability assessment tool for the sector. By presenting examples of circular economy approaches, this research can help producers to identify new business opportunities.
Impact of Market-Oriented Business Environment and ICT on Sustainable Development: Panel Evidence from the New EU Member States
Authors: Aydıntuğ Myrvang Nursel , Sart Gamze , Danilina Marina , Ta’Amnha Mohammad A.
Published: September 2023

Sustainable development has become a key factor in decreasing economic and social inequalities and environmental problems in the world. This problem aligns with the crusade of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs-8 and 10). To this end, the present study seeks to identify factors underlying sustainable development for vital and optimal policymaking. The primary objective of the present study is to investigate the influence of a market-oriented business environment together with information and communication technologies (ICT) on overall sustainable development in new EU members who experienced a transition to a market economy for annual frequency period ranging from 2000–2020 via novel cointegration and causality tests adequate to the dataset size and characteristics. The study aimed to make a contribution to the related empirical literature, as there is a paucity of documentation in the extant literature on the nexus between the business environment and overall sustainable development. Furthermore, the use of cointegration and causality tests considering heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence increased the robustness of the empirical results. The consequences of causality and cointegration analyses uncovered that the market-oriented business environment and ICT were short- and long-run drivers of sustainable development. However, the impact of ICT on sustainable development was relatively stronger than the impact of the market-oriented business environment in the long run. As a result, policies to improve market-oriented business environments, ICT infrastructure, ICT adoption, and digital literacy can be useful to make progress in overall sustainable development.
Invisible Frost Stress on Introduced Dalbergia odorifera: A Bioassay on Foliar Parameters in Seedlings from Six Provenances
Authors: Li Xiaowen , Liu Yu , Yang Sheng , Wang Jinwang , Xia Haitao , Liu Xiaojin , Chen Qiuxia
Published: September 2023

Valuable trees are frequently taken from their original habitat and introduced to a different location in the pursuit of better economic development. Global climate change imposes a higher probability of warm spells during chilly seasons; these may increase the threat posed by frost to newly introduced, valuable species. In this study, Dalbergia odorifera was cultured as a valuable tree species that was introduced from an original provenance in Sanya (1° N) to the northern mountains in Pingxiang (22° N), Guangzhou (23° N), Zhangpu (24° N), Xianyou (25° N), and up to the northernmost limit in Wenzhou (28° N). Seedlings of these six provenances were tested in a field study conducted in Wenzhou (control) to examine their resistance to local frost stress and to detect the driving forces related to meteorological factors in the winter–spring period of 2015–2016. The leaves sampled over seven days exhibited the typical characteristics of frost impairment. The daily maximum temperature delivered warm spells, increasing by ~7 °C. The daily minimum temperature (−4.3 to −2.0 °C) did not reach freezing point until the early spring of 2016. The controlled seedlings showed lower malondialdehyde content than those from the southern locations, and no mortality occurred. Invisible frost stress was caused by low nitrogen utilization during the earlier stages during warm spells, as well as damage to membrane integrity during the later stage when the minimum temperature suddenly declined. A warm spell was found to impose a negative driving force five days before a sudden chill, which led to frost having an impact on superoxide accumulation and electrical leakage. We conclude that the D. odorifera seedlings that dwell effectively in Wenzhou obtained stronger resistance to local frost stress than those from the southern locations. Low cell membrane integrity and high electrical leakage in leaf cells accounted for the frost damage.
Measurement of Land Ecological Security in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Base on the PSR Model
Authors: Yu Song , Yang Lulu , Song Zhenjiang , Li Wenbo , Ye Yongmei , Liu Bin
Published: September 2023

To accurately identify the land ecological security in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, we measured the land ecological security based on the PSR model, selected a total of 19 indicators, such as population density, and applied the methods of system evaluation value conversion, comprehensive evaluation value and coordination degree measurement to study the land ecological security in the region. Research findings: The comprehensive evaluation level showed that Jiangxi, Shanghai, and Hunan had comprehensive evaluation values according to the regional forefront. The subsystem evaluation level showed that Shanghai and Hunan had higher pressure subsystem evaluation values relative to other provinces; Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Anhui had higher state subsystem evaluation values relative to other provinces; and Jiangxi was much more responsive to land ecological security issues than were other provinces and cities in the region. The system coordination degree showed that the comprehensive evaluation value of land ecological safety and the coordination degree evaluation value of other provinces except Shanghai and Hunan showed a negative correlation, indicating certain land ecological safety problems in the region. Finally, suggested reflections based on the conclusions are presented.
Effects of Service Quality and Service Convenience on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Self-Service Fitness Centers: Differences between Staffed and Unstaffed Services
Authors: Sun Shan , Pan Younghwan
Published: September 2023

As an emerging model, self-service fitness centers are reshaping the consumer fitness experience globally. Recognizing the pivotal role of customer loyalty in the sustainable operation and management of fitness service enterprises, this study aims to uncover the factors and mechanisms affecting loyalty in these centers. Specifically, it addresses how service quality, convenience, and customer satisfaction influence Word-of-Mouth intentions and repatronage intentions while examining the differences in these relationships under service methods with staff and without staff. Employing PLS-SEM, an empirical analysis of 552 customer questionnaires from four self-service fitness centers in China’s top-tier cities was conducted. The results underscore positive correlations among the constructs in the structural model, emphasizing the significance of enhancing service quality and reducing customer efforts in loyalty management. Notably, service convenience emerged as a crucial driver of service quality. This convenience, mediated by service quality and satisfaction, significantly promotes Word-of-Mouth intentions and repatronage intentions. Additionally, marked differences were observed in these relationships based on the presence or absence of staff. This study investigates customer loyalty in self-service fitness centers for the first time, analyzing the differences in these relationships based on service methods with or without staff offering targeted strategies for fitness centers leveraging self-service technologies.
Evaluating Agroforestry Extension Workers’ Technical and Human Relation Competencies: A Ranked Discrepancy Model Needs Assessment
Authors: Flanagan Brian , Boren-Alpizar Amy , Wingenbach Gary , Lawver David , Strong Robert
Published: September 2023

Increasingly, agroforestry is being promoted to smallholders as a method to adapt to and mitigate climate change while addressing socio-economic limitations. Promoting agroforestry practices requires organizations to have competent staff with requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for their roles. This study examined perceived competency training needs among international workers promoting agroforestry. A Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) was used to determine and prioritize the KSA training needs of agroforestry professionals in selected countries in the Global South. This study was conducted with a nonrandom snowball sample of 107 professionals who promote agroforestry to smallholder farmers. As a nonrandom sample, the results represent those who participated, and caution is warranted in generalizing. Agroforestry Extension professionals deemed all items as either average or important, and training gaps existed in all agroforestry KSAs; however, the most notable training gaps were in (a) agribusiness, and (b) pests and disease. The research provides insights into the training needs of agroforestry personnel promoting agroforestry to smallholders in selected areas across the Global South. This study contributes to the theory for both professional development researchers and practitioners with the inclusion of a Ranked Discrepancy Model.
Impact of Commuting Time on Employees’ Job Satisfaction—An Empirical Study Based on China’s Family Panel Studies (CFPS)
Authors: Zhang Xi , Li Qiang , Wang Yijie
Published: September 2023

In China, job satisfaction has become a significant concern. Previous research has mainly focused on the impact of working conditions and personal characteristics on job satisfaction, neglecting the influence of commuting. This study utilized the ordered logistic (Ologit) regression model and demonstrated that commuting time negatively affects job satisfaction. Through additional analysis, it was found that increasing the duration of nap time can enhance employees’ job satisfaction. Additionally, providing a monthly commuting allowance of more than CNY 40.00, along with increased nap time, can help alleviate the negative impact of commuting on job satisfaction. Moreover, a heterogeneity analysis was conducted to explore the potential variations in this impact by gender, marital status, the employer’s nature, and region. The outcomes indicated that gender does not significantly affect job satisfaction in relation to commuting. However, individuals who are married or cohabiting, those employed in the private sector, and those residing in the northeast or central regions of China experience a negative impact on job satisfaction due to commuting. Finally, we propose relevant suggestions to improve employees’ job satisfaction and enhance their work efficiency in order to achieve the sustainable development of the company.
Evaluation of Living Environment Quality in Urban Residential Areas under the Concept of Urban Renewal—A Case Study of Binjiang District, Hangzhou, China
Authors: Chen Yong , Ren Xingchao , Xu Xiangcheng , Wang Rui , Xu Yingying
Published: September 2023

As urbanization continues to advance globally, the issue of “urban ailments” has become increasingly prominent. To promptly identify problems arising from urban development, it is crucial to investigate not only the quality of human habitats at the city and regional scales but also the micro-level living environments. Indeed, studying residential living conditions enables the specific problems within urban planning to be unearthed, facilitating timely adjustments for the improvement of urban habitation. However, a precise and objective methodology for accurately measuring the quality of residential living environments is still lacking. In recent years, the urban renewal concept has proven to be proactive in enhancing the living environment quality of residential areas. In this study, we focus on residential areas within Hangzhou’s Binjiang District, China, and integrate diverse datasets including real estate websites, digital mapping platforms, remote sensing imagery, points of interest (POIs), and land-use planning data. By examining and analyzing the urban renewal concept, we establish a comprehensive set of evaluation indicators for the living environment quality in residential areas, including five aspects: residential and environmental factors; transportation and communication; education and culture; lifestyle and leisure; and healthcare and well-being. Subsequently, a holistic assessment of the Binjiang District is conducted. Our research findings demonstrate that in the context of urban renewal, the proposed living environment quality evaluation method, based on multi-source data, exhibits significantly higher practicality and effectiveness. The residential environment in Binjiang District exhibits a spatial pattern with higher quality in the northern regions and lower quality in the southern regions. Across different dimensional layers, the residential and environmental quality shows a higher trend along the river areas and a lower trend in the internal areas, as well as higher quality in newly developed sections compared to older ones. The transportation and communication quality exhibits a decreasing trend radiating from multiple core areas. In other dimensions, there is a concentration of high-quality residential areas in the administrative vicinity and surrounding Binjiang University Town. Hotspot analysis further substantiates a significant spatial correlation between the quality of the living environment and the degree of agglomeration, highlighting a positive relationship between the two factors. This study provides a solid basis for the spatial planning of urban public service facilities and holds significant research and practical value.
Empirical Study of ESG Score Prediction through Machine Learning—A Case of Non-Financial Companies in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Hsio-Yi , Hsu Bin-Wei
Published: September 2023

In recent years, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has become a critical indicator for evaluating sustainable companies. However, the actual logic used for ESG score calculation remains exclusive to rating agencies. Therefore, with the advancement of AI, using machine learning to establish a reliable ESG score prediction model is a topic worth exploring. This study aims to build ESG score prediction models for the non-financial industry in Taiwan using random forest (RF), Extreme Learning Machines (ELM), support vector machine (SVM), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and investigates whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the accuracy of these models. The dependent variable is the Taiwan ESG Sustainable Development Index, while the independent variables are 27 financial metrics and corporate governance indicators with three parts: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and the entire period (2018–2021). RMSE, MAE, MAPE, and r2 are conducted to evaluate these models. The results demonstrate the four supervised models perform well during all three periods. ELM, XGBoost, and SVM exhibit excellent performance, while RF demonstrates good accuracy but relatively lower than the others. XGBoost’s r2 shows inconsistency with RMSE, MAPE, and MAE. This study concludes the predictive performance of RF and XGBoost is inferior to that of other models.
Beyond the IPCC for Food: An Overarching Framework for Food Systems Sustainability Assessment
Authors: Caro Dario , Sporchia Fabio , Antonelli Marta , Galli Alessandro
Published: September 2023

Food systems are responsible for a large share of anthropogenic impacts. In recent debates, the need to strengthen the link between science and policy has emerged with the proposal to establish a new global science–policy interface for a sustainable food system. While the clash between those who consider necessary and those who do not consider necessary the creation of this panel increases, this paper takes inspiration from this debate to highlight how strengthening the interactions between science and policy should be supported by increasing the informativeness of current sustainability assessments, regardless of the need for such a panel. In particular, we delve into this emerging topic by focusing on some critical aspects of the current sustainability assessments of food systems, which include the need for more comprehensive assessments, based on the joint use of multiple indicators. While sustainability assessments of food systems have been historically focusing on just one–two externalities at a time, the introduction of new multi-faceted indicators make it now possible to look at multiple externalities concurrently and at the trade-offs among them. Dietary contextualization becomes essential too, to avoid the provision of misleading information. An operative framework to improve sustainability assessments of food systems is presented here and discussed with the aim of promoting more informative approaches, which are crucial for transforming scientific knowledge into mitigation policies.
Application of Cold Sintering Process for Stabilizing Heavy Metals in Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Fly Ash
Authors: Liao Shih-Kai , Wu Zhong-En , Shen Yun-Hwei
Published: September 2023

Municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) consists predominantly of compounds comprising elements such as calcium, aluminum, silicon, sodium, and others. Additionally, it encompasses a complex mixture of heavy metals, chlorides, sulfates, organic pollutants, and other constituents. The effective and economically viable treatment of MSWI FA poses a formidable challenge for resource cycling at the current stage. In this research report, we adopt a novel low-temperature sintering method called the “Cold Sintering Process” (CSP) as a means to immobilize heavy metals within the fly ash. By utilizing a Taguchi orthogonal array method, we will adjust five control factors in the CSP, including sintering temperature, uniaxial pressure, sintering time, initial water addition, and sodium carbonate dosage. The leaching of cadmium from the fly ash, as measured by the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), will serve as the quality indicator of products. Through the application of CSP, MSWI FA was transformed into structurally stable ceramic blocks, and the heavy metals within the blocks were effectively immobilized. The results of the experiments showed that MSWI FA under the conditions of a temperature of 300 °C, uniaxial pressure of 312 MPa, sintering time in 60 min, 25 wt% water addition, and 9 wt% Na2CO3 addition could effectively reduce the leaching of cadmium by 77.71%, lead by 21.14%, zinc by 42.37%, and chromium by 99.99%, as compared to the original MSWI FA TCLP results. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) results indicate that during the CSP, fly ash forms phases such as calcium silicate, rankinite, hydrogrossular, anorthite, and marilite. These phase transformations are considered beneficial for preventing the leaching of internal heavy metals. Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) results reveal that CSP is advantageous for compacting the overall structure, and EDS results further demonstrate that some of the Pb and Zn are carried out from the interior of the blocks, with uneven distribution on the surface of fly ash particles. The aforementioned experimental results serve as preliminary indications of CSP’s capability to stabilize detrimental components within high-purity fly ash. Future research endeavors may entail the refinement of material proportions, modification of experimental parameters, and other methodologies, thus facilitating potential scalability to industrial applications. Such developments align with the overarching goal of resource utilization.
Study on the Stress Distribution and Stability Control of Surrounding Rock of Reserved Roadway with Hard Roof
Authors: Hao Yuxi , Li Mingliang , Wang Wen , Zhang Zhizeng , Li Zhun
Published: September 2023

According to field observation and theoretical analysis, the failure of the 1523103 reserved roadway is mainly affected by the lateral support pressure, rock mass strength, and support mode. With the mining of the 152309 working face, the lateral pressure of coal pillars on both sides of the reserved roadway increases, and since the lithology of the two sides and the floor of the roadway is weak, the reserved roadway experiences spalling and floor heave. Through numerical simulation, the distribution law of surrounding rock stress and the displacement of surrounding rock are obtained after the roof cutting and pressure relief of the reserved roadway with hard roof. According to the cause of surrounding rock failure of a reserved roadway, the combined control technology of roof cutting and pressure relief, grouting anchor cable support, and bolt support is put forward. After cutting the roof and releasing the pressure on the working face, the lateral support pressure of the two sides of the roadway is significantly reduced, the deformation of the two sides of the roadway is small, the maximum shrinkage rate of the section is reduced from 70% to 11%, and the deformation of the surrounding rock of the 1523103 reserved roadway is effectively controlled. The successful control of the surrounding rock in the 1523103 tunnel reduces the number of coal pillars to be installed, improves the coal extraction rate, and is conducive to the sustainable utilization of limited natural resources and the sustainable development of the coal industry.
Study on Evaluation of Order Degree of Water Resources Coupling System Considering Time Series Characteristics—Take Jiangxi Province as an Example
Authors: Qian Wei , Fu Chun , He Zhongzheng
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the order evaluation method of a coupled system based on synergetics has been successfully applied in the field of water resources evaluation and management. The evaluation of system order degree needs to comprehensively consider the simple giant system entropy of multiple order parameters. At this stage, the calculation of simple giant system entropy ignores the time series characteristics of order parameters, which makes the evaluation results of system order degree deviate from the actual changes of the system. Therefore, considering the time factor in the entropy calculation of a simple giant system, this paper proposes a synergetic order evaluation method considering the characteristics of time series. Then, taking Jiangxi Province as the research object, an example of a comprehensive evaluation of the order degree of the water resources coupling system is carried out. The relevant experimental results show that: The evaluation results of the synergetic order degree method considering the characteristics of time series presented in this paper are closer to the actual evolution situation of the system than the evaluation results without considering the characteristics of the time series, and maintaining high consistency with the actual evolution situation; the order degree of the water resources subsystem is greatly affected by the changes of water resources; and the entropy change of the water resources coupling system in Jiangxi Province is greatly affected by the entropy change of the water resources subsystem. The research result enhances the universality of the application of the synergetic order evaluation method in the related fields of a comprehensive evaluation of water resources systems and has a certain practical significance.
Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Action Path of Environmental Governance on Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of Urban Agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Zhang Hongfeng , Liu Miao , Wang Yixiang , Ding Xiangjiang , Li Yueting
Published: September 2023

Since the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin in China have become a major national strategy, reducing carbon emissions has become pivotal. Therefore, based on the relevant data of 53 cities from 2008 to 2021 in seven urban agglomerations in the Yellow River basin, this paper explores the overall situation and spatio-temporal evolution of environmental governance and carbon emissions in the urban agglomerations in the Yellow River basin using the entropy method, ArcGIS, slacks-based measurement models (SBM models), etc. Additionally, this paper quantitatively analyzes the pathways by which environmental governance affects carbon emissions in the urban agglomerations in the Yellow River basin. The results show that carbon emissions increased year on year from 2008 to 2021, the growth rate slowed down gradually and exhibited a downward trend, and the largest amount of carbon was emitted in 2019, at 3495 million tons. Before 2017, the growth rate of carbon emissions showed a trend of increasing year by year, with the largest increase rate being 11.17% in 2010. After that, the growth rate of carbon emissions continued to decrease and entered a stage of fluctuation. The growth rate of carbon emissions in 2020 was the lowest, reaching −5.66%. The environmental governance effect of urban agglomerations in the Yellow River basin exhibits a large gap; the regional difference is obvious, and the overall trend is rising. Environmental governance has a significant negative effect on carbon emissions in urban agglomerations in the Yellow River basin. The cross-terms of environmental governance, the energy consumption structure, industrial structure upgrading, green technological innovation, and foreign direct investment (FDI) have significant negative impacts on carbon emissions, while the indirect impacts on urban agglomerations have shown regional heterogeneity. The goal of reducing carbon emissions in urban agglomerations in the Yellow River basin is being realized gradually. Based on research conclusions, policy suggestions are put forward, hoping to provide ideas for environmental protection and high-quality development of urban agglomerations in the Yellow River basin.
Analyzing the Progress of China and the World in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13
Authors: Hossin Md Altab , Xiong Shuwen , Alemzero David , Abudu Hermas
Published: September 2023

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) and SDG 13 together requires a holistic and integrated approach to simultaneously address the challenges of clean energy and climate action. In order to find integrated policy strategies, this study offers a comparative analysis using the case of China and the world regarding energy access, energy intensity, clean cooking, renewable energy, global warming gases, and investment in energy by the private sector to advance SDGs 7 and 13, applying a principal component regression (PCR) and forecasting models for the period 1990 to 2021. Overall, these findings indicate that China is making significant progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. This progress is evident in the notable variations observed in key variables such as access to clean cooking solutions, private sector investments in energy, renewable energy generation, and enhanced energy efficiency. In contrast, the global landscape exhibits only minimal fluctuations in these aspects within its framework. The PCR proves that all the components are significant regarding China, whereas, for the world, seven components are significant out of eight. Furthermore, the global temperature projection indicates that the world is nearing the 1-degree Celsius threshold, with the current temperature standing at 0.558 degrees Celsius. This suggests that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030 remains attainable. Notably, China’s projected average temperature for 2030 is 7.2 degrees Celsius, marking a 12% decrease from the 2021 temperature level. This trajectory aligns with China’s commitment to achieving the 1.5-degree Celsius target by 2030. This study makes a valuable contribution to the field of energy transition, offering insights into the path to maintaining global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius as stipulated by the Paris Agreement by 2030.
Sustainability of Colonist Land Uses in the Amazon: A Demo-Livelihoods Perspective
Authors: Barbieri Alisson F.
Published: September 2023

Amazon, the largest global tropical forest, is central to counterbalance the effects of climate change. However, the extant literature has not fully explained the effects of demographic changes on land use and livelihoods sustainability that reconciles production and conservation. Using a case study of 28 years in the Brazilian Amazon, this article provided novel empirical evidences on the co-evolution of household demographic dynamics (composition and life cycles), land use and livelihoods as depicted by the demo-livelihoods theoretical framework. Methods of analysis involve the combination of exploratory (descriptive, cluster and correlation) and a multivariate hazard model. The results validated the demo-livelihoods theory and showed that livelihoods adaptation over time involves diversification combining perennials and cattle ranching, land consolidation and off-farm strategies (remittances, wage labor, cash transfers). These strategies are conditioned by demographic dynamics. Households are less likely to diversify livelihoods with annual crops due to unsustainable environmental conditions and costs associated with land intensification and market accessibility. While diversification historically occur at the expense of primary forest, household ageing may create a momentum to limit deforestation and allows the future incorporation of plot-based natural capital as a source of diversified, sustainable land uses and livelihoods for carbon emissions and bioeconomy markets.