Search Results (180)

This study examines whether the emissions-management performance of European listed firms is associated with geographical proximity and firm-level financial and governance characteristics. Using cross-sectional data for companies included in the STOXX Europe 600 index in 2023, the analysis combines spatial econometric models with a DBSCAN clustering approach to estimate direct and spillover effects and identify localized eco-spatial clusters. The results show significant spatial dependence and confirm that firms are more likely to achieve environmental outcomes similar to those of their neighbors operating in the same sector. Firm size, profitability, corporate social responsibility (CSR) committees, emissions reduction, and sustainability-linked executive compensation policies are positively associated with the emissions score, while CSR committees and sustainability-oriented policies also display significant spatial spillover effects. Overall, the findings are consistent with organizational learning and institutional convergence mechanisms and highlight the importance of considering localized spatial interactions when examining firms’ emissions-management performance. Full article

Climate change risks deepening social inequalities and poses new challenges for social policy. Drawing on climate justice, this article examines how climate impacts and policies are experienced by people living in poverty situations and by social workers, how their knowledge by experience and professional practice circulates in local climate policy-making, and how social workers understand their role in promoting climate justice. Based on qualitative interviews with people experiencing poverty, social workers, and local policy officials in three Flemish municipalities, the study shows that vulnerable groups experience climate injustice as a combination of disadvantages, misrecognition, and limited influence over policy agendas. While experiential knowledge is widely acknowledged as valuable, it remains weakly integrated in policy processes and is often channelled indirectly or introduced only after key decisions, reflecting persistent epistemic marginalisation. These patterns can be explained by the interaction of dominant policy framings, unequal power relations, and institutional arrangements that privilege technical expertise. Together, these dynamics highlight both the strategic importance and structural constraints of social work as a mediating actor and point to the need for institutional arrangements that enable earlier, more substantive, and more direct integration of experiential or practice-based knowledge. Full article

Agri-food systems are increasingly exposed to environmental, economic, and social challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and growing territorial inequalities. In this context, agroecology is increasingly recognised as a transformative paradigm integrating ecological, economic, social, cultural, and political dimensions within broader processes of food-system transition. Within the PRIMA AgrEcoMed project, 24 Italian agroecological initiatives led by women and young farmers were analysed to explore their contribution to agroecological transition processes in Mediterranean rural areas. The study adopts a qualitative multiple-case study approach and evaluates the selected initiatives through the framework of the 13 Principles of Agroecology proposed by the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition, organised into three operational axes: improving resource efficiency, strengthening resilience, and ensuring social responsibility and fairness. The results show that the analysed initiatives combine ecological farming practices with processes of multifunctionality, territorial networking, knowledge co-creation, short supply chains, and community engagement. The findings suggest that several initiatives move beyond input-reduction strategies associated with “weak agroecology” and display characteristics consistent with stronger agroecological pathways based on territorial embeddedness, collective learning, and the reorganisation of relationships between production, consumption, and local communities. The paper highlights the relevance of agroecology not only as an environmentally sustainable farming approach, but also as a broader socio-ecological and territorial transition process, as well as the importance of policy frameworks to support territorial agroecological systems. Full article

Persisting ethnic disparities in pre-eclampsia (PE), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and maternal mortality call for a paradigm shift in how ethnicity is understood as a risk factor for PE. Starting from a migrant perspective, we argue that the transgenerational experience of maternal stress within shared, yet dynamic ecosocial contexts can be linked to core pathophysiological features of PE. A growing body of evidence suggests how a vicious cycle of chronic maternal stress, cardiovascular dysfunction, placental ER stress, and endothelial dysfunction may serve as a catalyst for the transmission of altered cardiovascular and neuro-endocrine stress reactivity patterns across generations, with a seemingly important role for foetal programming and epigenetics. As these alterations in stress reactivity patterns have in turn been associated with an increased risk of PE and CVD later in life, the resulting transgenerational chain reaction may ultimately allow for ethnic disparities in PE to be traced back to historic, stressful moments in the shared ecosocial contexts of ethnic minority women. Reconceptualising ethnicity as a proxy for the stratified and embodied experience of transgenerational maternal stress within its unique ecosocial contexts, rather than a stand-alone, non-modifiable risk factor, will therefore open new directions for future research, clinical care, and policy interventions aimed at advancing maternal health equity. Full article

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the localisation processes of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 102 regions of Russia and Kazakhstan for the period 2015–2024. Based on the author’s methodology for constructing the SDG Localisation Index (SDGLI) using the method of the main components, a quantitative assessment of regional progress was carried out according to 14 SDGs. Cluster analysis has identified four sustainable types of regions that differ in the structure and dynamics of sustainable development. Using eco-metric tools (panel regressions with fixed effects, spatial models, difference-in-differences method), key factors of interregional differentiation were identified, including economic, social, institutional and spatial determinants. Particular attention is paid to assessing the effect of adopting regional sustainable development strategies. A decomposition of interregional inequality was carried out, which made it possible to quantify the contribution of various groups of factors. The results of the study contribute to the theory of regional economics and can be used to improve regional policies in the field of sustainable development. Full article

Improving the cultivated land use eco-efficiency (CLUE) is crucial to achieving sustainable land use and the green transformation of agriculture. This study is based on the data from 353 prefecture-level cities in China from 2013 to 2021. The slacks-based measurement (SBM)-undesirable model, the social network analysis (SNA), and the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) are adopted to measure and analyze the spatial patterns, network characteristics, and multiple driving pathways of inefficiency in the cultivated land use eco-efficiency in prefecture-level administrative units. Results show the following: (1) From 2013 to 2021, CLUE in the study areas shows spatial heterogeneity, with most efficiency values at a moderate level and showing a fluctuating downward trend over time. (2) The nine major agricultural regions have formed a complex association network, with the overall network connectivity being weak but efficiency relatively high. The hierarchical structure is gradually flattening, and inter-regional cooperation is increasing. (3) There are significant differences in influence, control, and accessibility within individual networks, and the collaborative network is developing into a “multi-core-hierarchical” structure. (4) The formation of inefficiency involves multiple concurrent mechanisms. Four typical inefficiency paths were identified, with significant heterogeneity across different agricultural regions. In the future, differentiated land use and ecological protection policies should be implemented based on the spatial network characteristics and inefficiency driving pathways of each agricultural region to promote the coordinated improvement of CLUE. Full article

This study examines how investment priorities for sustainable rural development are shaped when financial, environmental, social, and institutional criteria are evaluated simultaneously. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study assesses six investment alternatives: eco-tourism, agro-tourism, renewable energy, digital tourism, sustainable agriculture, and cultural tourism. The results reveal the dominance of financial performance and risk considerations, which together account for more than two-thirds of total decision weight. Renewable energy emerges as the highest-ranked investment alternative, whereas agro-tourism and sustainable agriculture remain under-prioritized despite their environmental and social benefits. A comparative scenario analysis demonstrates that policy-oriented weighting structures substantially alter investment rankings, increasing the attractiveness of locally embedded and sustainability-oriented activities. The findings suggest a structural divergence between market-driven capital allocation and broader rural development objectives. By integrating sustainable finance and rural development within a multi-criteria decision-making framework, the study provides practical insights for investors and policymakers seeking to align investment decisions with long-term sustainability goals. Full article

Due to the changing climate, an increasing number of organizations are focusing on Eco-Innovations (EIs). In this study, we present a currently missing conceptual framework that classifies the determinants of EI across micro-(firm), meso-(intersectoral), and macro-(policy) dimensions. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature and its existing gaps, this framework comprises three levels and six categories (financial, technical, organizational, market, collaboration, and legal) with fourteen unique drivers and ten barriers. Theoretically, the EI framework is grounded in the Porter hypothesis and social network theory. To test the framework, novel secondary data collected from almost 11,000 European SMEs was employed. The baseline results using Logit and Poisson regression were used to empirically validate the framework, and moderation analysis revealed an interplay among the three levels. In addition to financial resources and technical expertise, meso-level cooperation is one of the most relevant factors for organizational EI actions. The meso-level arguably serves as an adhesive between the micro- and macro-levels. Furthermore, due to the ambiguous and dynamic implications of the Porter hypothesis, barriers—mainly located at the macro-level—may also foster EI. Therefore, this paper provides valuable new strategic insights for organizations aiming to adopt EI. Full article

Landfilling remains the dominant waste disposal method worldwide, particularly in developing countries, posing serious environmental, health, and climate challenges. Inefficient practices, weak regulations, and un-engineered sites contribute to massive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and resource loss. Transitioning to a circular economy (CE) offers a transformative path for sustainable waste management. By closing material loops, recovering energy, urban mining, controlling emissions and CE strategies can convert traditional landfills into eco-efficient systems. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) further enhances this transition, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive management, and optimized resource recovery, thereby maximizing environmental and economic benefits. This review presents a three-level CE framework at micro (individual organizations), meso (industrial networks), and macro (national and international) levels designed to extract maximum value from waste streams and mitigate climate impacts. The proposed strategies demonstrate the potential to drastically reduce GHG emissions, promote clean energy via waste-to-energy routes, and contribute to SDGs 7, 11, 12, 13 and 15. By combining technology, innovation, and strategic management, this work highlights how AI-driven CE approaches can transform landfills from environmental liabilities into engines of sustainability and climate action. In implementing CE strategies at various levels, various challenges including technological, socio-economic, ethical, policy-based, and unintended consequences are encountered which impact sustainability initiatives. This review comprehensively discusses challenges associated with CE implementation and identifies technological advancement, social awareness and data-driven AI/ML-based modeling which could ensure success in circularity and ultimately curb climate change impacts in the long term. Full article

Eco-labeling has become an important tool for stimulating sustainable production and consumption, but the rapid increase in schemes can lead to a fragmented and sometimes confusing landscape. The purpose of this study is to map the eco-labeling landscape with a systematic review, trace the design and governance patterns, and identify gaps that prevent coherence. A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed journals and conference articles. The process followed predefined selection criteria, with consistent coding and synthesis used to categorize eco-labels by sector, region, governance type, and methodological features. The review shows a varied but fragmented eco-labeling landscape, with considerable overlap and inconsistency across sectors and regions. Governance approaches differ significantly: some schemes use third-party verification, while others depend on voluntary or industry-led systems. Major gaps include a lack of harmonization, poor integration of social factors, and little clear evidence that these labels change consumer behavior or drive meaningful sustainability results. Future research should focus on developing harmonized frameworks, strengthening meta-governance, and integrating social alongside environmental criteria. Policy efforts should aim to improve comparability and credibility, while balancing diversity and innovation. Advancing systematic evaluation of eco-label performance will be essential for informing coherent governance and guiding the future of sustainable consumption and production. Full article

Revealing the spatial differentiation patterns of cultivated land multifunctionality contributes to the improvement of cultivated land protection policies. This study investigated the spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics and functional zoning of cultivated land multifunctionality in Alpine Valley Area from a topographic gradient perspective. An evaluation index system for cultivated land multifunctionality in Alpine Valley Area was constructed across four dimensions: production (PF), social (SF), ecological (EF), and landscape (LF) functions. Using Yulong County, Yunnan Province, as a case study, methods including kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse theory, topographic gradient analysis, and hierarchical clustering were employed to quantify the horizontal and topographic gradient characteristics of the multifunctionality of cultivated land from 2010 to 2020, thereby delineating functional zones. Results indicated: (1) Cultivated land multifunctionality shows clear topographically-dependent spatial differentiation: PF concentrates in central basins and northwest specialty agricultural zones, SF overlaps with production but with more dispersed high/low values, EF follows a “high in the center, low on the lateral areas” pattern, and LF remains relatively stable; (2) Significant hierarchical differences in cultivated land functions were observed along the elevation, slope, and terrain niche index (TNI) gradients. PF, EF, and LF generally decreased with increasing elevation, slope, and TNI, whereas the dominance of SF exhibited an inverted-V-shaped distribution along the gradient. (3) The study area was divided into five zones: Flat-Basin Agritourism Zone (FAZ), River-Valley Eco-Agriculture Zone (REZ), Sub-Alpine Specialty Agricultural Production Zone (SSAPZ), Sub-Alpine Steep Slope Integrated Management Zone (SSIMZ), and Mid-Mountain Steep Slope Ecological Conservation Zone (MSECZ), with differentiated strategies proposed for each. This study innovatively integrates a topographic gradient perspective, TNI, and hierarchical clustering to systematically evaluate the cultivated land multifunctionality in Alpine Valley Area, providing a new methodological framework for similar mountainous regions. Full article

This study examines how local social policies addressing young people’s well-being and working-life capacities within the framework of sustainable development are understood, and how they might be further developed in a Swedish municipal context. The study draws on three qualitative datasets: professionals from municipal social services, representatives of municipal units and civil society organisations, and young people aged 15–19. Data were analysed using abductive thematic analysis informed by Doyal and Gough’s theory of Human Need and Helne and Hirvilammi’s Having–Doing–Loving–Being model of relational well-being. Findings indicate that professional participants recognise links between social, economic, and ecological dimensions of sustainability, yet practice is largely oriented towards individual and social concerns, with limited engagement with the natural environment. Youth participants indicated detachment from both nature and societal processes, framed responsibility as habitual, and exhibited intergenerational detachment alongside temporal and geographical distance from sustainability issues. The findings also indicate siloed municipal sustainability policies. The study concludes that current policies may insufficiently integrate the ecological and relational dimensions of human needs and that there is a need to develop ecosocial policies and practices that promote more sustainable well-being and working-life capacities, especially for young people. Full article

Contemporary societies are facing converging crises, including environmental degradation, worsening social inequalities, aging populations, and increasingly costly healthcare systems, prompting sustainable health to be proposed as an integrative conceptual perspective for rethinking health, its determinants, and collective action. This narrative review aims to trace the historical evolution of the concept, clarify the vision it offers for public health, and identify its implications for research, policy, and intervention. A literature search (May 2025) was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google, with no restrictions on language, time period, or document type. Of 40 relevant documents, 21 were selected for in-depth analysis by two independent reviewers, with duplicate data extraction. The results show that sustainable health broadens the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of health by incorporating sustainability, intergenerational justice, ecological limits, and social equity. Close to, but distinct from Planetary Health, One Health, and EcoHealth, sustainable health is based on ecological, social and ethical, economic, behavioral, intergenerational, and systemic/intersectoral dimensions. Sustainable health thus emerges as a systemic and transdisciplinary conceptual approach for transforming health systems, living environments, and public policy, requiring further conceptual clarification, robust interdisciplinary research programs, and intersectoral initiatives involving communities. Full article

This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the progress of circular economy (CE) implementation in the Małopolska region and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, businesses, and research institutions. The study combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, including regional policy analysis, a survey of 1200 industrial enterprises, and Smart Lab workshops with stakeholders. The region’s strong economic and scientific base, reflected in high R&D expenditure and numerous technology-oriented companies, creates favorable conditions for circular technologies. Smart specializations in metals, chemicals, mineral products, and machinery provide opportunities for raw-material recirculation and for low-emission, advanced energy and material recovery solutions, making them well aligned with CE objectives. Findings indicate that while the region demonstrates strong potential due to its industrial base, scientific expertise, and smart specialization domains, significant challenges remain in awareness, technological adoption, and regulatory clarity. Metrics on resource efficiency, value-chain circularity, and eco-innovation are essential for informed policymaking, investment decisions, and effective dialogue with entrepreneurs. Another priority is enhancing access to financing instruments. A key recommendation is the development of an integrated monitoring system combining economic, environmental, social, and innovation indicators, supported by targeted financial instruments and skill-building initiatives. The paper presents an innovative approach to linking national and European CE strategies to subnational implementation. Full article

In Peru, where socioeconomic inequalities remain a critical challenge, responsible consumption has shifted from individual decisions to organizational strategies with the potential to reduce structural disparities. This study adopted an exploratory–descriptive qualitative design to gain an in-depth understanding of organizational initiatives for responsible consumption and their contributions to social equity. Using documentary analysis, the READ protocol (Read, Extract, Analyze, Distill) was applied to systematically examine public information from 104 Perú Sustainable-affiliated organizations across 16 economic sectors. The analysis identified six categories of initiatives: eco-efficient management, circular economy, sustainable supply chains, education and awareness, sustainable products, and green financing that are linked to five dimensions of equity: economic inclusion, access to essential services, gender equality, inclusion of vulnerable populations, and capacity building. The circular economy (54.8%) and sustainable supply chains stood out for their greater potential to include vulnerable groups by integrating them into formal value chains. The reported impacts ranged from 100 to over one million beneficiaries, in addition to environmental reductions of 30–50%, although methodological heterogeneity limited comparability. Financial constraints (67.3%), along with cultural resistance and institutional barriers, were identified as the main obstacles. Overall, the findings show that responsible organizational consumption can be an effective mechanism for reducing inequality if designed using systemic and integrated approaches, reinforcing the need for public policies, specialized financial instruments, and regulatory frameworks that enhance its transformative impact in favor of inclusive development in the country. Full article