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
An Evaluation of the Environmental Impact of Logistics Activities: A Case Study of a Logistics Centre
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4061; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104061 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Lately, the logistics sector has seen accelerated development, which has led to general economic growth, but, at the same time, it has caused considerable environmental damage due to the excessive consumption and emissions that are currently affecting society at large. Since logistics activities
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Lately, the logistics sector has seen accelerated development, which has led to general economic growth, but, at the same time, it has caused considerable environmental damage due to the excessive consumption and emissions that are currently affecting society at large. Since logistics activities are considered some of the most polluting economic activities, this present article aims to present the advantages of implementing the green logistics concept. To this purpose, the activity of a logistics centre in Romania was analysed, with a focus on the greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced as a consequence of this economic activity, and its carbon footprint was calculated according to the GHG Protocol. Although this global standard is based on an integrated approach to how GHG emissions are calculated, there is limited evidence about its degree of implementation by companies. The results of the analysis revealed that the consumption of energy and fuel by the logistics sector has a significant impact on the environment. This impact is maintained, albeit at a smaller scale, even if the technology is replaced and the equipment used by companies to carry out their activities is increasingly performant.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing the Circular Economy—The Path to Sustainability)
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Carbon Mineralization Dynamics of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Biochar in a Northern Florida Soil
by
Yuch-Ping Hsieh and Kristina Hatakka
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4060; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104060 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Biochar has been considered one of the viable solutions for atmospheric carbon sequestration because of its resistance to mineralization in soils. However, our knowledge of the mineralization rates of biochar in soils is still inconclusive due to the drawbacks of either the study
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Biochar has been considered one of the viable solutions for atmospheric carbon sequestration because of its resistance to mineralization in soils. However, our knowledge of the mineralization rates of biochar in soils is still inconclusive due to the drawbacks of either the study methods or insufficient characterization of the studied materials or both. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize switchgrass (SG) biochar by multi-element scanning thermal analysis (MESTA), and (2) to determine the mineralization rates of the SG biochar carbon (BC) in soil by the 13C tracer method. The results indicated that the 400 °C and the 600 °C SG biochars were not significantly different in chemical composition or thermal stability. A MESTA thermogram of the SG feedstock can predict the yield and thermal stability of the resulting biochar. The 13C tracer determined the mineralization rates and deduced the corresponding mean residence times (MRTs) of the BC, SG-C, and native SOC to be 347 years, 4 years, and 65 years, respectively. The MRT of BC should be a minimal estimate because of the limited incubation period. Even so, the MRT was already two orders of magnitude greater than that of the SG feedstock indicating the carbon sequestration potential of the biochar in soil.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fuels and Chemicals from Thermal Conversion of Renewable Carbon Sources)
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Reducing Methane Emissions with Humic Acid–Iron Complex in Rice Cultivation: Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Rice Yield
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Hyoung-Seok Lee, Hyo-Suk Gwon, Sun-Il Lee, Hye-Ran Park, Jong-Mun Lee, Do-Gyun Park, So-Ra Lee, So-Hyeon Eom and Taek-Keun Oh
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4059; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104059 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
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Methane emissions from flooded rice paddies are a major source of atmospheric methane and represent a significant greenhouse gas with high climate-forcing potential due to anthropogenic activities globally. For sustainable agriculture, it is necessary to find effective methods for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions
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Methane emissions from flooded rice paddies are a major source of atmospheric methane and represent a significant greenhouse gas with high climate-forcing potential due to anthropogenic activities globally. For sustainable agriculture, it is necessary to find effective methods for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions without reducing crop productivity. We investigated mechanisms to reduce methane emissions during rice cultivation by applying rice straw, rice husk biochar, humic acid, and a humic acid–iron complex, assessing greenhouse gases and rice yield over a single season. The results demonstrated that the treatment plots with rice straw and the humic acid–iron complex significantly reduced methane emissions (563 ± 113.9 kg ha−1) by 34.4% compared to plots treated with rice straw alone (859 ± 126.4 kg ha−1). Rice yield was not compromised compared to the control group treated with only NPK fertilizer, and growth in terms of plant height and tiller number was enhanced in the plots treated with rice straw and the humic acid–iron complex. Conversely, the plots treated solely with rice husk biochar and humic acid did not show a methane reduction effect when compared to the NPK treatment. The humic acid–iron complex has demonstrated potential as a methane mitigation agent with practical applicability in the field, warranting further long-term studies to validate its effectiveness.
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Open AccessArticle
Sustainable Application of Blast Furnace Slag in the Field of 3D Printing: Material Configuration and Machine Optimization
by
Dongsheng Li, Xinyun Cui, Jung-sik Jang and Guoxian Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4058; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104058 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Blast furnace slag is an industrial waste. Its disposition is generally by means of landfilling or stacking, which goes against the concept of sustainable development. In order to maximize its reuse and abate its adverse effects on the natural environment, this study innovated
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Blast furnace slag is an industrial waste. Its disposition is generally by means of landfilling or stacking, which goes against the concept of sustainable development. In order to maximize its reuse and abate its adverse effects on the natural environment, this study innovated a solution of using blast furnace slag to produce 3D printing materials. Blast furnace slag was mixed with desulfurization gypsum to adapt to the operation of 3D printers. The mixture has fluidity, viscosity, and hydraulicity. Fluidity allows the mixture to smoothly pass through the transportation pipeline and nozzle of the machine; viscosity ensures that the extruded mixture is gradually stacked and settled; hydraulicity guarantees that the mixture solidifies and forms completely solid objects after dehydration and drying. Fully suitable 3D printers are rare in the market. Therefore, the printing nozzle and reserve device of the 3D printer were designed and improved in this study according to the material characteristics, enhancing the smoothness of the mixture during 3D printing. The sustainable application of blast furnace slag in the field of 3D printing not only favors diminishing environmental pollution and resource consumption but also provides a further sustainable production method for human beings.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Reprocessing, Repurposing and Reclamation of Mining Wastes, Industrial Wastes, and Anthropogenic Ores)
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A Novel Method for the Highly Effective Removal of Binary Dyes from Colored Dyeing Wastewater by Periodic Reversal/Direct Current-Activated Persulfate
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Zhaonan Sun, Wenjie Ren, Ke Shi, Wei Kou and Yujie Feng
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104057 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
In recent years, electrochemical synergistic activation of persulfate (PDS) degradation technology has demonstrated significant potential in wastewater treatment applications. Given the challenges posed by the complex water quality, high COD content, and recalcitrant degradation of dyeing wastewater, this study aimed to evaluate the
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In recent years, electrochemical synergistic activation of persulfate (PDS) degradation technology has demonstrated significant potential in wastewater treatment applications. Given the challenges posed by the complex water quality, high COD content, and recalcitrant degradation of dyeing wastewater, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of iron/aluminum dual-electrode electrochemical activation of PDS for degrading simulated dyeing wastewater. The results showed that under optimal conditions, utilizing both periodic reversal and direct current electrochemical activation of PDS achieved removal rates of 99.2% and 98.3% for Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Reactive Red X-3B (RRX-3B), respectively, demonstrating promising removal efficiency. Notably, the removal efficiency of RB5 surpassed that of RRX-3B, suggesting a dependence on initial concentration influencing reaction kinetics. Furthermore, full-spectrum scanning and quenching experiments revealed that RB5 and RRX-3B were primarily degraded through the potent oxidation action of SO4−· and ·OH, with a small number of intermediates present in the solution. Periodic reversal proved effective in mitigating electrode passivation and enhancing electrode longevity. This study provides a highly effective removal method of binary dyes from dyeing wastewater by periodic reversal Fe-Al dual-electrode electrochemical activation of PDS technology, offering valuable insights for sustainable treatment of dyeing wastewater with binary components.
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(This article belongs to the Section Pollution Prevention, Mitigation and Sustainability)
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Kinetic Modeling of Co-Pyrogasification in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management: Towards Sustainable Resource Recovery and Energy Generation
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Anabel Fernandez, Daniela Zalazar-García, Carla Lorenzo-Doncel, Diego Mauricio Yepes Maya, Electo Eduardo Silva Lora, Rosa Rodriguez and Germán Mazza
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104056 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This study addresses the co-pyrogasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the Environmental Technology Park, San Juan, Argentina. This process involves heating waste at high temperatures in a low-oxygen or oxygen-free atmosphere as a sustainable strategy for waste management and energy generation. The
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This study addresses the co-pyrogasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the Environmental Technology Park, San Juan, Argentina. This process involves heating waste at high temperatures in a low-oxygen or oxygen-free atmosphere as a sustainable strategy for waste management and energy generation. The principal objective is to focus on understanding the MSW co-pyrogasification kinetics to enhance performance in reactor design. A representative sample of MSW collected over a month was analyzed, focusing on the variation in mass proportions of plastic, organic matter, and paper. The empirical methodology included the deconvolution of macro-TGA curves and deep learning algorithms to predict and validate macro-TG data during co-pyrogasification. The findings reveal that MSW is a solid matrix more easily treated on thermochemical platforms, with kinetic and thermodynamic parameters favoring its processing. This approach suggests that MSW co-pyrogasification may represent a feasible alternative for resource recovery and bioenergy production, supporting the policies for the transition to a cleaner future and a circular economy.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress and Evaluation Challenges of By-Product and Waste Valorization)
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Forecasting Hydrogen Vehicle Refuelling for Sustainable Transportation: A Light Gradient-Boosting Machine Model
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Nithin Isaac and Akshay K. Saha
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4055; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104055 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Efficiently predicting and understanding refuelling patterns in the context of HFVs is paramount for optimising fuelling processes, infrastructure planning, and facilitating vehicle operation. This study evaluates several supervised machine learning methodologies for predicting the refuelling behaviour of HFVs. The LightGBM model emerged as
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Efficiently predicting and understanding refuelling patterns in the context of HFVs is paramount for optimising fuelling processes, infrastructure planning, and facilitating vehicle operation. This study evaluates several supervised machine learning methodologies for predicting the refuelling behaviour of HFVs. The LightGBM model emerged as the most effective predictive model due to its ability to handle time series and seasonal data. The selected model integrates various input variables, encompassing refuelling metrics, day of the week, and weather conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation), to capture intricate patterns and relationships within the data set. Empirical testing and validation against real-world refuelling data underscore the efficacy of the LightGBM model, demonstrating a minimal deviation from actual data given limited data and thereby showcasing its potential to offer valuable insights to fuelling station operators, vehicle manufacturers, and policymakers. Overall, this study highlights the potential of sustainable predictive modelling for optimising fuelling processes, infrastructure planning, and facilitating vehicle operation in the context of HFVs.
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(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)
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Culture and Sustainability: Evidence from Tea Culture and Corporate Social Responsibility in China
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Lina Mao, Guangfan Sun, Yining He, Huixia Chen and Changwei Guo
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4054; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104054 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
We aim to explore the prerequisites for corporate sustainability from the perspective of non-formal institutions such as culture. Specifically, we seek to investigate whether and how Chinese tea culture influences corporate social responsibility (CSR). We have developed an OLS regression model to examine
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We aim to explore the prerequisites for corporate sustainability from the perspective of non-formal institutions such as culture. Specifically, we seek to investigate whether and how Chinese tea culture influences corporate social responsibility (CSR). We have developed an OLS regression model to examine the relationship between tea culture and CSR, and our findings indicate that local tea culture yields positive effects. To address endogeneity concerns related to this correlation, we employed the local geographic slope as an instrumental variable for tea culture. Subsequent research highlights that the female executive, serving as a mediator variable, represents the primary mechanism influenced by tea culture. Furthermore, our study demonstrates that tea culture exerts a more significant impact on small and medium-sized enterprises as well as state-owned enterprises. Overall, this research contributes to the literature on the determinants of CSR from the vantage point of informal institutions, offering a fresh perspective for exploring the economic ramifications of tea culture for both academia and practitioners. Moreover, it furnishes valuable insights for advancing the sustainable development of enterprises.
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Open AccessArticle
Study on Carbon Stock and Sequestration Potential of Typical Grasslands in Northern China: A Case Study of Wuchuan County
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Fan Gao, Zhen Tian, Yanzhe Wang, Zhiheng Yang and Guodong Ding
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4053; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104053 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
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Grasslands in China cover an extensive area and rank second globally. They constitute the second-largest carbon reservoir in China after forests, holding about 8% of the total carbon stock of the world’s grassland ecosystems. This study focuses on the grasslands of Wuchuan County,
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Grasslands in China cover an extensive area and rank second globally. They constitute the second-largest carbon reservoir in China after forests, holding about 8% of the total carbon stock of the world’s grassland ecosystems. This study focuses on the grasslands of Wuchuan County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of Northern China. This study compares the carbon stock and density characteristics across different communities based on plot survey and GIS vector data. It also anticipates the region’s carbon sequestration potential using biomass-to-carbon conversion and extrapolation methods. The findings indicate that (1) the total carbon stock in the study area is 1805.65 × 104 tons with an average carbon density of 77.50 t/ha. The distribution of carbon density and stock follows a pattern: soil layer > herbaceous layer > litter layer; (2) the Stipa krylovii + Leymus chinensis community exhibits the highest carbon stock and density; (3) there is a positive correlation between herbaceous carbon density and NPP (Net Primary Productivity) values in the study area; and (4) the overall carbon stock in the region is projected to increase, with growth rates accelerating annually. These results contribute to our understanding of the formation, turnover, stability maintenance, and regulation mechanisms of grassland soil organic carbon. Furthermore, they hold significant implications for enhancing the carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems.
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Open AccessArticle
Optimization of Dissolved Silica Removal from Reverse Osmosis Concentrate by Gedaniella flavovirens for Enhanced Water Recovery
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Han Gao, Shinya Sato, Hitoshi Kodamatani, Takahiro Fujioka, Kenneth P. Ishida and Keisuke Ikehata
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4052; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104052 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
Photobiological treatment of reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) using brackish diatoms is a green and sustainable technology that can enhance water recovery by removing dissolved silica from ROC while producing beneficial biomass. This study aimed to determine the optimum conditions for the photobiological treatment
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Photobiological treatment of reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) using brackish diatoms is a green and sustainable technology that can enhance water recovery by removing dissolved silica from ROC while producing beneficial biomass. This study aimed to determine the optimum conditions for the photobiological treatment of ROC obtained from a full-scale advanced water purification facility using Gedaniella flavovirens Psetr3. While light color presented minor impacts on the silica uptake rate, the impact of color intensity was significant. The uptake rate improved from 28 ± 1 to 48 ± 7 mg/L/day by increasing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from 50 to 310 µmol m−2 s−1. Increasing the PAR further did not improve the performance. The optimum temperature was around 23–30 °C. While the silica uptake was slower at 10 °C, G. flavovirens Psetr3 was unable to survive at 40 °C. Experiments using sunlight as a light source verified the impact of temperature on the silica uptake and the detrimental effect of ultraviolet radiation on this diatom. The sunlight-based treatment effectively removed N-nitrosodimethylamine. The results of this study are being used in subsequent pilot-scale investigations and full-scale technoeconomic analysis and will contribute to the further development of this sustainable water technology.
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Open AccessArticle
Interrelationships and Trade-Offs between Urban Natural Space Use and Biodiversity
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Elena Prioreschi, Nici Zimmermann, Michael Davies and Irene Pluchinotta
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4051; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104051 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
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Urban natural spaces provide important ecosystem services and a wide range of health- and well-being-related benefits for their visitors. They are also essential spaces for biodiversity protection and promotion in a world of rising urbanisation rates and worsening impacts of climate change. However,
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Urban natural spaces provide important ecosystem services and a wide range of health- and well-being-related benefits for their visitors. They are also essential spaces for biodiversity protection and promotion in a world of rising urbanisation rates and worsening impacts of climate change. However, these spaces are often underutilised by urban residents. When they are utilised, this usage often leads to some level of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Hence, understanding how to promote both use and biodiversity levels in urban natural spaces is critical. While various reports have studied the broad factors associated with urban natural space use, the specific relationship between biodiversity and use remains to be explored. This paper uses a Systems Thinking approach to unpack the complex relationship between urban natural space use and biodiversity and to help guide the design and management of these spaces in a way that promotes both use and biodiversity. With data collected from a systematic literature review, a causal loop diagram (CLD) was constructed and analysed. The CLD construction and analysis highlighted various key factors that play an important role in relating urban natural space use and biodiversity. Among these is the role of individual and social perceptions and values in determining how biodiversity levels will affect usage, and vice versa. The results were applied to a case study: the Thamesmead regeneration project undertaken by the social housing association Peabody. We made recommendations regarding Peabody’s biodiversity and green infrastructure plans for Thamesmead, presenting new design and maintenance techniques and assessing various existing techniques mentioned in the documents. Through the CLD analysis, we uncovered various unintended consequences from common design and maintenance techniques and discuss these trade-offs and relationships.
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Open AccessArticle
Long-Time Assessment of the Organic Farmer’s Market in Granada (Spain)
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Francisco Javier Peña Rodríguez, Alberto Matarán Ruiz, Adolfo José Torres Rodríguez, César Eduardo de la Cruz Abarca, Josefa Sánchez Contreras, Alba Ruiz Díez, Sergio Visquert Bruguera and Juan Carlos Morilla Moreno
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4050; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104050 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
In recent years the world has seen an increase in the popularity of farmer’s markets, short food supply chains and local food systems. This growth can be attributed to the public’s growing consciousness of the impracticality of the global food system, globalization’s waste
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In recent years the world has seen an increase in the popularity of farmer’s markets, short food supply chains and local food systems. This growth can be attributed to the public’s growing consciousness of the impracticality of the global food system, globalization’s waste of fossil fuels, the fear of food chemicals, and small farmers’ desire to directly sell their products, among other things. Although there are a wealth of farmer’s market surveys and research on this topic that has been conducted over the past decades around the world, scant data have been collected about farmer’s markets in the south of Spain. This study focuses on the organic farmer’s market in Granada (Spain) and consists of five surveys developed in 8 years which are analyzed to help better understand this market that was first established in the Spring of 2013. It will also consider research on farmer’s markets in Europe and beyond in order to compare the situation of the Granada market as well as bringing in some new ideas of how it can be improved.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Sustainable Food Systems—Local and Alternative Solutions for Global Challenges)
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ICT-Enabled Education for Sustainability Justice in South East Asian Universities
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Vassilios Makrakis, Michele Biasutti, Nelly Kostoulas-Makrakis, Munirah Ghazali, Widad Othman, Mohammad Ali, Nanung Agus Fitriyanto and Katerina Mavrantonaki
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4049; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104049 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the role of Information and Communication Technologies-enabled Education for Sustainability (ICTeEfS), critical reflection, and transformative teaching and learning beliefs in predicting students’ attitudes about seeking sustainability justice. A total of 1497 students from seven universities in Indonesia (374),
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This study aims to investigate the role of Information and Communication Technologies-enabled Education for Sustainability (ICTeEfS), critical reflection, and transformative teaching and learning beliefs in predicting students’ attitudes about seeking sustainability justice. A total of 1497 students from seven universities in Indonesia (374), Malaysia (426), and Vietnam (697) trialed four new scales measuring (a) knowledge of merging ICT with education for sustainability, (b) critical reflective practice, (c) sustainability justice attitudes, and (d) transformative teaching and learning beliefs. The findings show that the four scales are reliable and could be used in other research on education for sustainability. Differences were observed for gender, year of study, subject of study, ICT skills, and knowledge of education for sustainability. Regression analysis highlighted that sustainability justice is a multidimensional concept composed of several constructs with a specific reference to critical reflection, transformative teaching and learning beliefs. The implications for education, practice and further research are discussed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Teaching and Learning for Embedding Sustainability in Higher Education)
Open AccessSystematic Review
Mining Heritage Reuse Risks: A Systematic Review
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Shuangyan Guo, Shan Yang and Canjiao Liu
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4048; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104048 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
Mining heritage reuse refers to the practice of repurposing former mining sites and their associated structures, landscapes, and communities for new uses, which plays a critical role in the green transformation of countries that are heavily reliant on mining resources. Nonetheless, repurposing closed
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Mining heritage reuse refers to the practice of repurposing former mining sites and their associated structures, landscapes, and communities for new uses, which plays a critical role in the green transformation of countries that are heavily reliant on mining resources. Nonetheless, repurposing closed mining sites comes with its own set of risks. Given these complexities, conducting a comprehensive risk analysis is imperative. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, this study established a systematic review for assessing risks in mining heritage reuse. We meticulously screened literature from Web of Science (WoS), Engineer Village (EI), and Wiley, ultimately focusing on 12 pertinent articles. Our findings categorize the repurposing of mining heritage into six distinct sectors: renewable energy, agriculture, residential developments, tourism, forestry, and underground laboratories. Analysis of the extant literature reveals a predominant focus on the environmental and technical aspects of risks, with less attention paid to the social dimensions of risks. A key contribution of this review is the introduction of the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model and a multi-hazard approach to examining risks associated with mining heritage reuse. Consequently, future research on the risks of repurposing mining heritage is recommended to incorporate assessments of social-level risks and the interplay among various risk factors.
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(This article belongs to the Section Resources and Sustainable Utilization)
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Open AccessReview
A Review of Corporate Social Responsibility Decoupling and Its Impact: Evidence from China
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Tian Luan
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4047; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104047 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
CSR decoupling refers to the misalignment between a company’s stated CSR policies and its actual practices, resulting in issues like diminished financial performance and heightened risk. While initially explored in developed economies such as the US, recent research has shifted focus towards developing
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CSR decoupling refers to the misalignment between a company’s stated CSR policies and its actual practices, resulting in issues like diminished financial performance and heightened risk. While initially explored in developed economies such as the US, recent research has shifted focus towards developing nations like China. However, a comprehensive review of CSR decoupling literature in the Chinese market remains lacking. Previous research typically examines the decoupling phenomenon at the general level of CSR, without considering the distinct impacts of its three key components: environmental, social, and governance pillars. Our study seeks to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive review of CSR decoupling covering 82 related studies, specifically analyzing its environmental, social, and governance dimensions within the context of China. Our findings offer valuable insights for both future research on CSR decoupling in China and policymaking. Firstly, there is a pressing need to prioritize investigations into means–ends decoupling, given the constraints on policy–practice decoupling imposed by stringent regulations. Secondly, the role of government policies in shaping CSR practices is pivotal. Future research could delve into the impacts of policy shocks using quasi-experimental designs. Thirdly, emerging issues like workplace safety, the executive pay gap, and gender diversity are gaining prominence in China’s CSR landscape. Lastly, the dominance of state ownership presents significant challenges to corporate governance, warranting further exploration.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability: Whether or How?)
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Open AccessArticle
Applying the Hypothetical Extraction Method to Investigate Intersectoral Carbon Emission Linkages of China’s Transportation Sector
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He He, Yunhuan Gao and Xiaolei Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4046; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104046 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
The transportation sector is an indispensable link in the industrial chain of an economic system. Considering the current push to comprehensively construct new patterns of development, the transportation sector is under huge pressure to achieve the goal of “carbon peak and carbon neutral”.
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The transportation sector is an indispensable link in the industrial chain of an economic system. Considering the current push to comprehensively construct new patterns of development, the transportation sector is under huge pressure to achieve the goal of “carbon peak and carbon neutral”. Therefore, to develop low-carbon transportation in China, it is important to study the carbon emission linkages in its transportation sector in order to understand its potential and the factors affecting carbon mitigation. In this study, sectoral carbon emission linkages and dynamic changes during the period of 2002–2020 for the transportation sector in China were quantitatively investigated based on the input–output analysis and hypothetical extraction method (HEM). The results showed that the total carbon emission linkages for the transportation sector mainly experienced growth, increasing by 848.63 Mt from 2002 to 2020, with consistently stronger supply-side than demand-side carbon emission linkages. This indicates that the potential of the transportation sector for carbon reduction lies upstream in the chain of carbon emission linkages. Furthermore, the transportation sector was consistently a net export sector of carbon emissions, and net carbon transfer decreased with fluctuations. Regarding carbon emissions from the transportation sector, the construction sector was found to be main destination for the majority of these emissions, while the power supply sector was the largest source. The policy implications derived from this research can serve as a crucial lever for the low-carbon development of China’s transportation sector.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of CO2 Emissions Control on Transportation and Its Energy Use)
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Open AccessArticle
Embodied Energy Coefficient Quantification and Implementation for an Energy-Conservative House in Thailand
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Nattaya Sangngamratsakul, Kuskana Kubaha and Siriluk Chiarakorn
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4045; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104045 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
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The increasing rate of population growth and urban expansion has led to a higher demand for fossil fuels, which, in turn, directly generate greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to environmental problems such as global warming and climate change. This
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The increasing rate of population growth and urban expansion has led to a higher demand for fossil fuels, which, in turn, directly generate greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to environmental problems such as global warming and climate change. This study aims to present the total life-cycle energy analysis (LCEA) of a single-family detached house designed with an energy conservation approach. Using a cradle-to-grave scope, this study quantifies the embodied energy in six stages of the building’s life cycle, i.e., initial, transportation, construction, operational, recurrent, and demolition. An input–output (IO)-based method was employed to construct a Thailand-specific embodied energy coefficient for 36 key building materials. This coefficient was then used to quantify both the initial embodied energy and the recurrent embodied energy in this study. The case-study house was broken down into 13 building materials. Concrete was the most consumed material, followed by fiber–cement, steel, and timber, in that order. However, the results of the embodied energy distribution for these materials revealed that fiber–cement ranked first, accounting for 29%. Steel was next, at 21%, followed by concrete at 18%, and, finally, aluminum at 12%. The case-study house had an initial embodied energy of 7.99 GJ/m² and a total life-cycle energy consumption of 0.66 GJ/m²/year. This study provides valuable information on LCEA for residential buildings, fostering public understanding of energy conservation in the Thai context. Furthermore, this study’s results can be applied to establish energy conservation guidelines for residential buildings. These guidelines can help reduce energy resource depletion, carbon emissions, and environmental problems, ultimately contributing to Thailand’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
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Open AccessArticle
Derivation of Landslide Rainfall Thresholds by Geostatistical Methods in Southwest China
by
Zhongyuan Xu, Zhilin Xiao, Xiaoyan Zhao, Zhigang Ma, Qun Zhang, Pu Zeng and Xiaoqiong Zhang
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4044; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104044 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
Deriving rainfall thresholds is one of the most convenient and effective empirical methods for formulating landslide warnings. The previous rainfall threshold models only considered the threshold values for areas with landslide data. This study focuses on obtaining a threshold for each single landslide
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Deriving rainfall thresholds is one of the most convenient and effective empirical methods for formulating landslide warnings. The previous rainfall threshold models only considered the threshold values for areas with landslide data. This study focuses on obtaining a threshold for each single landslide via the geostatistical interpolation of historical landslide–rainfall data. We collect the occurrence times and locations of landslides, along with the hourly rainfall data, for Dazhou. We integrate the short-term and long-term rainfall data preceding the landslide occurrences, categorizing them into four groups for analysis: 1 h–7 days (H1–7), 12 h–7 days (H12–D7), 24 h–7 days (H24–D7), and 72 h–7 days (H72–D7). Then, we construct a rainfall threshold distribution map based on the 2014–2020 data by means of Kriging interpolation. This process involves applying different splitting coefficients to distinguish the landslides triggered by short-term versus long-term rainfall. Subsequently, we validate these thresholds and splitting coefficients using the dataset for 2021. The results show that the best splitting coefficients for H1–D7, H12–D7, H24–D7, and H72–D7 are around 0.19, 0.52, 0.55, and 0.80, respectively. The accuracy of the predictions increases with the duration of the short-term rainfall, from 48% for H1–D7 to 67% for H72–D7. The performance of these threshold models indicates their potential for practical application in the sustainable development of geo-hazard prevention. Finally, we discuss the reliability and applicability of this method by considering various factors, including the influence of the interpolation techniques, data quality, weather forecast, and human activities.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Early Warning and Mitigation Measures of Mountain Hazards and Environmental Degradation)
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Open AccessArticle
Optimizing Business-to-Business Customer Satisfaction Analysis through Advanced Two-Stage Clustering: Insights from Industrial Parks
by
Jian Wang and Lingling Yue
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4043; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104043 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
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Traditional research on customer satisfaction (CS) estimation has focused on the business-to-customer (BTC) business mode. Customers in the BTC mode have been assumed to be familiar with the full range of services or products and to be able to make estimations of their
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Traditional research on customer satisfaction (CS) estimation has focused on the business-to-customer (BTC) business mode. Customers in the BTC mode have been assumed to be familiar with the full range of services or products and to be able to make estimations of their CS. However, in the business-to-business (BTB) mode, diverse services have often been required and provided. It may be difficult to find members who have experience with all kinds of services or to generate common CS estimation results supported by different members. In this study, the difference between BTC and BTB was verified using structural equation modeling (SEM), and a model of CS estimation was developed with respect to BTB. The empirical results show that perceived service quality has no direct impact on enterprise satisfaction, indicating that traditional models are limited. A two-stage clustering algorithm was adopted to optimize the traditional CS evaluation model based on SEM, i.e., (1) K-nearest neighbor (KNN) classification and (2) density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). In order to verify the feasibility of the proposed model, CS with respect to six industrial parks was estimated empirically. The results show that the proposed model can improve the results of CS estimation compared with the results obtained using traditional methods. During the clustering process, each park generated and eliminated a certain number of noise points to optimize the satisfaction evaluation results. Specifically, park A generated and eliminated seven noise points, while park C generated and eliminated five noise points. The results of the satisfaction evaluation of each park obtained using the proposed model are more realistic, i.e., park A > park B > park C > park E > park D > park F. The proposed model extends the existing research on CS estimation in theory and can support applications in the BTB business mode.
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Open AccessArticle
Can Mandatory Disclosure of CSR Information Drive the Transformation of Firms towards High-Quality Development?
by
Rong Xu, Yongze Cui, Qi Ban, Yang Xie and Xiaoyun Fan
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4042; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104042 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2024
Abstract
This paper establishes a quasi-natural experiment grounded in the exogenous shock occasioned by the implementation of a compulsory corporate social responsibility (CSR) information disclosure policy. It investigates the ramifications of this mandated CSR information disclosure policy on firms’ total factor productivity (TFP) through
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This paper establishes a quasi-natural experiment grounded in the exogenous shock occasioned by the implementation of a compulsory corporate social responsibility (CSR) information disclosure policy. It investigates the ramifications of this mandated CSR information disclosure policy on firms’ total factor productivity (TFP) through the integration of the difference-in-differences (DID) methodology. The investigation reveals that obligatory disclosure of CSR information significantly augments firms’ total factor productivity (TFP) by mitigating agency conflicts and financial constraints. Further analysis elucidates investment efficiency and innovation enhancement as pivotal conduits through which the mandatory CSR information disclosure policy fosters firms’ TFP. The study explores the impact of mandatory CSR information disclosure on firms’ TFP mechanism, which has significant policy value and can provide useful reference for the high-standard development of China’s corporate economic transformation.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Sustainability: Good Governance, Dynamism in Ecosystems, and International Business)
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