Search Results (2,429)

This paper aims to identify the trending topics of sustainability communication and to empirically verify them (in terms of the content and extent) in sustainability reports of multinational corporations (MNCs), utilizing the introduced analytical framework. A systematic literature review identified eleven key themes that currently shape the discourse on sustainability communication. An empirical study of 10 multinational companies across five industries was conducted using an analytical framework developed by the authors. This framework assessed the significance of identified themes (measured by exposure) and the comprehensiveness of approaches to each theme (goal–action–measure–progress, GAMP). The findings indicate that some aspects of sustainability communication are inconsistently addressed by these MNCs, and a few aspects are being reported comprehensively. The analysis revealed that climate-related themes and circular economy are communicated most comprehensively across all companies, while engagement with the SDGs, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and sustainable value creation shows the lowest levels of goal-setting, measurement, and time-based progress disclosure. Materiality assessments are the only theme reported consistently across all four GAMP components. When comparing reporting patterns with sustainability paradigms, no MNC demonstrates a holistic approach, and most show a clear inclination toward win–win or instrumental orientations. The study extends existing models of sustainability reporting by providing a replicable analytical framework bridging descriptive and evaluative approaches. Practical and policy implications are outlined for both corporations and regulators aiming to enhance reporting alignment with EU standards such as CSRD and ESRS. Full article

In many mountainous areas of China, frequent geological disasters pose a serious threat to human life and property. The Luding “9.5” earthquake triggered a large number of landslide disasters, causing serious loss of life and property. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to carry out research on the stability analysis and treatment methods of landslides in the Luding area. In this paper, the Caiyangba landslide in Yanzigou Town, Luding County, is taken as the research object. The slope model is constructed by Midas to study the stability development law of Caiyangba landslide under different rainfall conditions and seismic conditions, and to explore the feasibility of the “anchor lattice treatment method”. The results show that the “anchor lattice treatment method” can effectively improve the stability of the slope under rainfall conditions. The improvement effect of slope stability decreases with the increase in rainfall duration and rainfall. The development law of the slope stability coefficient with rainfall duration in WMG (the working condition of not adopting the “anchor lattice treatment method” is referred to as WMG) and MG (the working condition of adopting the “anchor lattice treatment method” is referred to as MG) conditions conform to the development law of exponential function, and the expression of instantaneous change rate of slope stability coefficient is derived. The above function can also well explain the development law of X-direction displacement and Y-direction displacement of SP (school: monitoring point) and RP (road: monitoring point); the development law of the instantaneous change rate of displacement. Under the influence of ground motion, the improvement effect of the “anchor lattice treatment method” on the slope stability coefficient is limited, but the improvement effect of slope stability increases with the increase in seismic intensity. The slope stability coefficient and the displacement of SP and RP show obvious fluctuation with time, and the fluctuation law is similar to that of ground motion records. It is recommended to add a gravity-retaining wall at the foot of the slope. The teaching building reduces the number of floors and increases the number of pile foundations. Roads should restrict the passage of heavy vehicles, such as cars and strictly stacked items. The above results can provide a theoretical reference for the sustainable treatment and sustainable development of landslides in the Luding area. Full article

The rapid advancement of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is reshaping the future of mobility by offering potential improvements in safety, efficiency, and driving experience, yet consumer acceptance remains uneven across regions. This study addresses the gap in knowledge and trust by examining how Hungarian drivers, as part of the Central and Eastern European context, perceive and adopt ADAS technologies. To achieve this, we conducted two expert in-depth interviews to refine the research instrument, followed by an online survey of 179 drivers. Using k-means cluster analysis, we identified three distinct consumer segments: Conservative Controllers, who demonstrate low levels of trust and willingness to adopt ADAS; Cautious Adopters, who weigh costs and benefits carefully; and Pragmatic Innovators, who are open to experimentation and display the highest acceptance and willingness to pay. The results reveal that awareness and familiarity strongly influence acceptance, highlighting the role of consumer education and transparent communication in shaping adoption. The findings suggest that manufacturers, driving schools, and policymakers can accelerate the diffusion of ADAS by developing targeted strategies tailored to different consumer groups. Strengthening knowledge and trust in these systems will not only support their market success but also contribute to safer, more sustainable transportation. Full article

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is directly linked to student health, comfort, and performance, while renovation strategies are increasingly assessed for their embodied carbon impacts alongside energy savings. However, little is known about how renovation affects both IAQ and embodied emissions in real school settings. This study hypothesized that renovation improves thermal stability but may not ensure compliance with IAQ standards, while introducing additional embodied carbon from new materials. To test this, two architecturally identical Lithuanian schools, one renovated, one non-renovated, were compared during the transition from heating to cooling season. IAQ monitoring focused on carbon dioxide (CO₂), temperature, and relative humidity, and a life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to evaluate the additional embodied carbon of renovation materials, since energy-focused upgrades like insulation and new windows can improve indoor comfort but also increase material-related emissions. Results showed that renovation improved temperature stability and reduced sensitivity to outdoor conditions, but both schools frequently exceeded recommended CO₂ thresholds during lessons. The LCA showed notable embodied carbon impacts from façade insulation and window replacement (A1-A3 stages), highlighting a trade-off between material use and comfort gains, though long-term operational savings may offset these initial emissions over the building service life. The results underline the importance of renovation that brings together thermal comfort and CO₂ performance and embodied carbon reduction to create both healthy and sustainable learning environments. Full article

Substance use remains a global public health concern with adverse effects on health, education, and community safety. In South Africa, in rural areas like substance use among secondary school students compromises teaching quality and school safety. This study aims to develop and validate community-based strategies to mitigate substance use among secondary school students using a Participatory Action Research approach. A qualitative, participatory design will be implemented in three phases: (1) situational analysis through interviews with parents and focus groups with students; (2) co-development of strategies guided by the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, building, overcoming, exploring, and minimizing framework and Dickoff’s practice-oriented theory; and (3) validation using Chinn and Kramer’s evaluation criteria. Twenty students (aged 13–18 years) and twenty parents will be purposively and conveniently sampled. Data will be analyzed thematically using Tesch’s eight-step method, with trustworthiness ensured using Guba’s criteria. This study is expected to strengthen collaboration among schools, parents, and community stakeholders. The co-developed strategies will inform future interventions, guide school health policy, and promote sustainable, community-driven approaches to adolescent health promotion, ultimately enhancing secondary school students’ well-being and academic performance in rural educational settings. Full article

This paper emphasizes the importance of introducing sustainable design principles to primary school children and explores educational methods that foster awareness of the built environment. Through a literature review and three case studies, the research compares different pedagogical approaches used to engage children in sustainability-focused design activities. The case studies examine methods such as STEAM-based analytical problem-solving, storytelling for conceptual understanding, and artistic installations for experiential learning. Findings highlight that tailored pedagogical strategies enhance children’s engagement, while involving university students as facilitators creates reciprocal learning benefits. The study also underscores the role of community engagement by linking local sustainability challenges to classroom learning, thereby encouraging students to apply concepts to real-world issues. Additionally, it suggests that incorporating digital and hybrid models can increase the scalability and accessibility of such programs. Overall, this research identifies best practices, strengths, and weaknesses of various approaches and proposes guiding principles for effective sustainable design education. The outcomes demonstrate the potential of university-led initiatives and collaborative frameworks to build impactful, adaptable educational models. By integrating sustainability into early education, schools and policymakers can foster environmentally conscious citizens equipped to address future challenges. Full article

In Algeria, honey plays an important role in nutrition, traditional medicine and sustainable food practices. However, little is known about how consumers perceive and use this product in their daily lives. This study aims to explore how honey consumption patterns among a specific segment of Algerian households, mainly young, educated, and digitally active individuals, relate to traditional practices and contribute to sustainable food systems and cultural heritage. An online survey remained open for four months, and the final number of participants was 770 individuals from 51 wilayas, using convenience sampling through academic and social media networks. As this was an exploratory study, no fixed statistical population was defined. Chi-square tests revealed significant associations between age and honey consumption frequency (χ² = 45.33, p = 0.0010), annual purchase quantity (χ² = 111.49, p < 0.0001), and buying frequency (χ² = 47.26, p < 0.0001), as well as between climatic zone and buying source (χ² = 34.90, p = 0.0097). The findings highlight honey’s multifunctional role, not only as a food product, but also as a traditional remedy and cosmetic ingredient, embedded in cultural routines and health practices. Consumer preferences are shaped by sensory attributes such as taste, type, and appearance, while purchasing decisions are strongly influenced by trust-based relationships, with most respondents favoring direct acquisition from beekeepers or known individuals. These informal sourcing habits reflect sustainable traditions that support local producers and reinforce consumer confidence. However, widespread misconceptions, such as the belief that crystallized honey is adulterated, reveal a need for targeted consumer education. To promote sustainable honey consumption, the study recommends clearer labeling, school-based programs, and public awareness campaigns. Full article

Research on exclusionary discipline often focuses on school-aged children (kindergarten to twelfth grade), overlooking carceral logics in early childhood education (ECE). This paper advances a conceptual understanding and policy-oriented analysis that situates exclusion in preschool, child care, and other ECE settings as systemic rather than individual, showing how surveillance, sorting, and regulation disproportionality affect young children. We demonstrate how diagnostic gatekeeping, inequitable access, and formal and informal removals are design choices embedded in systems that reproduce racialized and classed hierarchies. At the same time, ECE holds transformative potential. We highlight abolitionist and decolonizing approaches already in practice, including culturally sustaining and community-rooted models, healing-centered and trauma-responsive care, and reimagining classrooms as “homeplace” spaces of resistance and care. We conclude with recommendations for policy, research, and practice that reject surveillance and exclusion, expand access, and center family and community leadership. If exclusion begins before the pipeline, so must liberation. Full article

Accurate prediction of compressive strength in eco-friendly concretes, where part of the cement is replaced with recycled glass powder, remains a fundamental challenge for sustainable construction. This study evaluates and compares the performance of five machine learning models—Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN)—for classifying the compressive strength of concretes with different mix designs and curing ages. The dataset includes 846 experimental samples produced at the School of Civil Engineering of UPM between 2004 and 2019. The results showed that Naïve Bayes and Random Forest achieved the highest accuracy and generalizability, confirming that the incorporation of glass powder does not introduce significant data instability and can serve as a viable and sustainable substitute of cement. The Decision Tree model provided the greatest interpretability, enabling insight into the influence of mixture parameters, while SVM and k-NN were primarily effective in extreme strength categories. Overall, the findings demonstrated that probabilistic and ensemble learning methods outperform deterministic and proximity-based algorithms in classifying materials with high compositional variability. This work reinforces the potential of artificial intelligence as a non-destructive, reliable, and scalable tool for optimizing the performance of low carbon concretes and promoting sustainable materials engineering. Full article

Malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa lies at the intersection of changing climate suitability and the scale-up of vector control and case management. Drawing on recent evidence from Kenya, we argue that climate variability already exerts effects on malaria outcomes comparable to, and sometimes stronger than, those of commonly measured interventions at local scales. Transmission dynamics display non-linear, lagged relationships with temperature and rainfall. As a result, climate change is expected to alter prevailing conditions and extremes, reshaping the geography and seasonality of malaria risk. At the same time, socio-economic development and vector control intervention such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and timely case management continue to reduce malaria incidence and deaths, especially among young children. However, their population-level impact depends on when and where interventions are deployed relative to climate-favoured windows of transmission. We propose a practical agenda for “climate-smart” malaria control in Kenya advocating for dynamic targeting of interventions according to observed climate lags and thresholds, sustaining protection for the youngest, and innovating approaches for school-age reservoirs of infection. Access to effective care should be re-conceptualized as a climate-adaptation strategy, and short-term, locally tailored forecasts should be embedded into routine planning to support anticipatory and equitable malaria control. Full article

Team resilience is a critical capacity in sports, enabling teams to adapt to adversity and sustain performance under pressure. Although transformational leadership (TFL) has been identified as a key correlate of resilience, the distinct contributions of head coaches, captains, and athlete leaders through motivational climate remain unclear. This study examined associations between TFL and team resilience among elite high school male rugby players, focusing on motivational climate as a pathway. A total of 370 athletes (aged 16–18) from eight nationally competitive teams completed validated self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that captains’ TFL was associated with stronger task-involving climate and greater resilience, while athlete leaders’ TFL was associated with both more task-involving and less ego-involving climate, which was related to higher resilience and fewer vulnerabilities under pressure. Head coaches’ TFL was also associated with a more task-involving and less ego-involving climate, indirectly supporting resilience outcomes. Importantly, no direct effects of head coaches’ or athlete leaders’ TFL on resilience were observed, underscoring the central role of climate-related pathways. These findings highlight motivational climate as a key mechanism connecting leadership roles to resilience and suggest that empowering both captains and athlete leaders alongside coaches may be critical for enhancing adaptability in elite Japanese youth sports. Full article

Peer tutoring through a structured low-cost approach to reading in pairs using the Paired Reading programme has resulted in attainment gains in reading in English (UK) and Spanish (Colombia), using developer-led training in schools. Given the continued issues with poor reading attainment globally, in preparation for the scalability of Paired Reading in the Global South, a train-the-trainer delivery programme was developed, implemented, and assessed using a matched study design including 6 classes and 98 Grade 6 students in a high-poverty region of Chile. The results indicate that the Paired Reading train-the-trainer programme (Latin American Spanish version) is feasible to implement in elementary schools in high-poverty areas in Chile and is capable of improving children’s reading ability as measured by an independently designed standardised reading assessment. Positive results were found (effect size d = +0.67, g = +0.66) for the children who engaged in the technique when assessed against a matched control group. The results indicate that this programme is now ready for assessment using a randomised controlled trial in Chile to test the effectiveness of using this more scalable method of delivery, including with standardised digital resources, for sustainable delivery in the Latin American region. Full article

This article presents key findings and learnings from the Albury Project Mental Health Pilot, a six-month exploratory opportunity designed to extend the Community of Schools and Services (COSS) Model to proactively identify and support young people experiencing psychological distress in a regional Australian community. Working within the established COSS Model architecture and using population-level screening via the Australian Index of Adolescent Development (AIAD) survey, the pilot focused on a previously unreached and unsupported cohort of young people with high or very high scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) who were not engaged with existing mental health services. The support involved brief, tiered interventions tailored to individual needs. Short-term outcomes demonstrated improvements in K10 scores for the majority of participants, with many moving out of the K10 at-risk range. Medium-term data further showed sustained improvements in psychological distress and personal wellbeing for a substantial proportion of the cohort. The pilot identified a ‘hidden cohort’ and demonstrated that low-resource, brief interventions are capable of achieving high-impact outcomes within the existing COSS Model collective impact framework. While short-term, these findings suggest the COSS Model’s adaptability and promise as a cost-efficient early intervention platform for youth mental health in broader community settings. Full article

The concept of green building has become important, as sustainability issues have been acknowledged in the construction industry. Green building certification systems have emerged to measure the sustainability of buildings. While there are numerous studies on green building certification systems, studies evaluating green schools are quite limited, even though green schools not only ensure the health and comfort of students and teachers but also play a role in raising sustainability awareness, especially among growing children. First, a detailed literature review was conducted in this study that identified eight common issues, namely “project management processes”, “land selection and transportation/location”, “energy”, “indoor environmental quality”, “water”, “waste”, “materials” and “innovation”, which were extensively used to evaluate green schools. Four green building certification systems that emerged in developing countries and four systems that existed in advanced countries were compared relative to these eight issues. The weaknesses of the eight certification systems and the fundamental differences between advanced and developing countries were identified, and suggestions for improvements were presented. It was concluded that it is not enough to consider green schools only as buildings that rely on sustainable design and construction but also as important institutions that contribute to the adoption of the concept of sustainability. Consequently, it was found that it is important to create special green certification systems for schools. Full article