Search

The article focuses on the imminent transformation of the packaging industry towards paper-based alternatives due to increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic packaging. Topics include major brands leading the shift towards sustainability by adopting paper packaging solutions and innovative technology companies developing eco-friendly packaging alternatives.

Production systems are being restructured to close production cycles via implementing circular economy (CE) practices. The planted tree industry in Brazil has shown potential for applying CE practices due to its efficient use of resources and inclination towards environmental innovation. However, some gaps and difficulties have been observed in several industrial segments so that the logic of the circular production system is put into practice more effectively and intensely. In this context, the aim was to investigate the use and impacts of CE practices in the Brazilian planted tree industry by sector of operation and scale of enterprises based on the ReSOLVE framework. Data were collected from 34 companies that answered a questionnaire, corresponding to 47.2% of Brazilian planted tree industry companies. Data analysis involved univariate and multivariate statistical techniques, considering the grouping of companies by sector of activity (forest producer, pulp and paper, and timber processing) and scale (small, medium, and large). The results revealed that "pulp and paper" and medium- and large-scale companies had the most significant application of CE practices and reported more significant impacts. [Display omitted] • Explores a segmented analysis of the circular economy by scale and sub-sector groups. • Scores of circular practices and their impacts are presented according to the groups. • The association between circular practices and impacts by group are analyzed. • Propositions to enable the adoption of circular practices are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent statistics indicate that as of 2023, the global renewable energy capacity has reached new heights, with Saudi Arabia significantly contributing to this growth through its strategic initiatives. The kingdom is particularly focusing on harnessing solar power, given its abundant sunlight, and is also exploring wind energy, leveraging its vast desert landscapes. These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to become a global leader in renewable energy. This paper provides a detailed exploration of Saudi Arabia's ambitious journey from a fossil-fuel-dominated energy sector to a more sustainable, renewable-energy-driven future. Anchored in the broader context of global energy trends, the study emphasizes the critical shift toward renewable resources, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia's unique position in this global movement. Key to this transition is Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a strategic framework that guides the country's renewable energy policies and initiatives. A comprehensive review of these policies, including other governmental and international collaborations that support renewable energy development, is offered. The current state of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia is assessed, including an overview of existing projects and production statistics. The paper also explores emerging technologies such as energy storage systems and smart grid solutions, emphasizing their role in Saudi Arabia's energy transition. An impact assessment is conducted to understand the environmental, economic, and social effects of this energy shift. The paper also includes a comparative analysis of other countries' renewable energy transitions, extracting lessons and best practices applicable to the Saudi context. Strategic recommendations and reflections on Saudi Arabia's future role in the global energy landscape are provided for stakeholders in energy policy, environmental planning, and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green transition in the sustainable production and processing of polymers poses multifaceted challenges that demand integral comprehensive solutions. Specific problems of presences of toxic trace elements are often missed and this prevents shifting towards eco-friendly alternatives. Therefore, substantial research and the development of novel approaches is needed to discover and implement innovative, sustainable production materials and methods. This paper is focused on the most vital problems of the green transition from the aspect of establishing universally accepted criteria for the characterization and classification of eco-friendly polymers, which is essential to ensuring transparency and trust among consumers. Additionally, the recycling infrastructure needs substantial improvement to manage the end-of-life stage of polymer products effectively. Moreover, the lack of standardized regulations and certifications for sustainable polymers adds to the complexity of this problem. In this paper we propose solutions from the aspect of standardization protocols for the characterization of polymers foreseen as materials that should be used in Zero Energy Innovations in Hydrogen Storage. The role model standards originate from eco-labeling procedures for materials that come into direct or prolonged contact with human skin, and that are monitored by different methods and testing procedures. In conclusion, the challenges of transitioning to green practices in polymer production and processing demands a concerted effort from experts in the field which need to emphasize the problems of the analysis of toxic ultra trace and trace impurities in samples that will be used in hydrogen storage, as trace impurities may cause terrific obstacles due to their decreasing the safety of materials. Overcoming these obstacles requires the development and application of current state-of-the-art methodologies for monitoring the quality of polymers during their recycling, processing, and using, as well as the development of other technological innovations, financial initiatives, and a collective commitment to fostering a sustainable and environmentally responsible future for the polymer industry and innovations in the field of zero energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research paper is to engage with the ongoing scientific discourse surrounding the impact of electronic human resources management (EHRM) technology on organizational sustainability, performance, and innovation within the context of the dynamic Saudi Arabian hospitality industry. Drawing upon a quantitative research methodology, this study seeks to unveil the intricate relationship between the latent variable (e-HRM) and the dependent variables, namely, organizational innovation, organizational performance, and organizational sustainability. The systematic organization of literary sources and research approaches underpins the comprehensive nature of this study, which holds particular relevance against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 development plan. The plan envisions diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil, and fostering sustainable growth -- objectives that resonate strongly with the challenges and opportunities within the hospitality sector. The paper progresses logically, employing robust statistical software such as SPSS version 25 and SmartPLS 3.3.5 to rigorously evaluate and test the measuring and structural models. This meticulous approach includes hypothesis testing to assess indicators' reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The study meticulously examines a sample of 438 employees within the Saudi hospitality industry. Methodological tools, including detection analyses and correlation analysis, are deployed to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the data. The Saudi hospitality industry is strategically selected for its pivotal role in job creation, economic prosperity, and overall image projection. Empirical analysis forms the crux of this paper, revealing compelling results that underscore the positive and significant influence of e-HRM technologies on organizational innovation, organizational performance, and organizational sustainability. The model's robust fit, as evidenced by the SRMR value of 0.074 and the NFI score of 0.911, accentuates the reliability and validity of the research. Furthermore, the paper employs the blindfolding technique to assess the model's predictive validity, revealing effect sizes of 0.223, 0.109, and 0.439 for organizational innovation, organizational performance, and organizational sustainability, respectively. This research not only empirically confirms but also theoretically substantiates the pivotal role of e-HRM technologies in shaping organizational outcomes. By delving into the mediating relationship between organizational performance and organizational innovation, this study contributes significantly to understanding how e-HRM technologies can be a catalyst for organizational sustainability in the unique context of the Saudi hospitality industry. Beyond the academic realm, the findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry professionals, and stakeholders, aligning with the overarching goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to foster sustainable growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper offers a comprehensive exploration of the symbiotic relationship between sustainable ground transportation and the dynamic realm of e-commerce. It delves into the critical intersection of environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and the evolving landscape of online commerce. This review synthesises cutting-edge technologies and strategies aimed at reducing energy requirements and environmental impacts in ground transportation. It explores advancements in lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and alternative fuels, emphasising their potential to mitigate the environmental footprint of vehicles. Additionally, the transition towards zero-emission vehicles, including battery-operated and fuel-cell vehicles, is analysed, taking into account both short-term and long-term outlooks. Simultaneously, the paper delves into the evolving landscape of e-commerce, which has become an integral part of modern consumer behaviour. It investigates the influence of e-commerce on ground transportation practices, emphasising the importance of efficient logistics, last-mile delivery, and sustainability in meeting the demands of the digital commerce era. By providing a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities at the nexus of sustainable ground transportation and e-commerce, this review paper offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders striving to shape a more sustainable and responsive future for ground transportation in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest for a sustainable future, the bio-economy and biorefineries have emerged as pivotal agents of transformation. This review paper offers an accessible and comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted bio-economy landscape. Environmental concerns, resource scarcity, and the demand for renewable and bio-based products are the key drivers shaping this sustainable paradigm. Agriculture and agro-industry play an indispensable role, acting as the primary suppliers of the essential feedstock for biorefineries. They not only fuel the bio-economy but also foster sustainable farming practices and rural development, forming a mutually beneficial relationship. Biorefineries, the workhorses of the bio-economy, optimize resource usage, minimize waste, and produce a diverse range of bio-based products. Innovative biorefinery techniques are at the forefront, revolutionizing efficiency and expanding the array of feedstock's, thereby creating higher value-added derivatives. These value-added products, spanning biofuels, bio-plastics, and more, drive the market towards a greener and circular economy. The bio-economy's commitment to sustainability is evident through waste reduction and the promotion of circular economy principles. Policy, regulation, and market developments shape the bio-economy by promoting bio-based industries while favouring eco-friendly alternatives, creating a competitive and healthy ecosystem. While the bio-economy shows promise, it faces challenges. Optimizing conversion efficiency, discovering new feedstocks, and solving biorefinery environmental issues need technological breakthroughs and research. In summary, the bio-economy and biorefineries orchestrate a sustainable symphony, driven by environmental consciousness, rooted in agriculture, refined by innovative techniques, and harmonized by the production of bio-based products. The stage is set for a greener, more sustainable future. Bio-economy and biorefineries have become crucial drivers of transformation in the pursuit of a sustainable future. The review paper provides a thorough and easily understandable examination of the diverse bio-economy landscape. Environmental concerns, limited resources, and the need for biodegradable and renewable products are some of the main things that are shaping the sustainable paradigm. Agriculture and the agro-industry play a big role in this because they provide biorefineries with the feedstock they need. The bio-economy is not only fuelled by them, but they also contribute to sustainable farming practices and rural development, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Biorefineries are the backbone of the bio-economy as they effectively utilize resources, minimize waste, and generate a wide array of bio-based products. At the forefront of innovation, biorefinery techniques are revolutionizing efficiency and expanding the range of feedstock's available. This, in turn, leads to the creation of higher-value derivatives and value-added products, such as biofuels and bioplastics, promoting a greener and more circular economy. The commitment of the bio-economy to sustainability is demonstrated through its efforts to reduce waste and promote the principles of a circular economy. Policy, regulation, and market developments impact the bio-economy by working together to support bio-based industries and encourage the use of eco-friendly alternatives. As a result, a competitive and healthy ecosystem is created. Although the bio-economy holds promise, it also encounters various challenges. Technological breakthroughs and research are necessary for optimizing conversion efficiency, discovering new feedstock's, and solving biorefinery environmental issues. In essence, a commitment to the environment guides how the bio-economy and biorefineries collaborate in a sustainable manner by utilizing innovative methods to refine and produce bio-based products. This harmonious process creates a symphony of sustainability, paving the way for the dream of a greener, more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From powering our homes to driving our economies, energy lies at the heart of humanity's complex challenges in the modern era. This paper reviews the evolution of smart energy systems, examining their technological advancements and societal implications while proposing a future design framework emphasizing four key pillars: holistic resource optimization, adaptive intelligence, environmental harmony, and human-centered design. While they offer numerous benefits, such as enhanced energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, smart energy systems also face challenges. These include cybersecurity risks, the complexity of integrating diverse energy sources seamlessly, high upfront costs, and potential compatibility issues arising from evolving technologies. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for unleashing the full potential of smart energy systems and facilitating their global adoption. Abundant opportunities for further research and development exist in this domain, awaiting exploration and advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis and mathematical modeling of the National Program for Smart Cities (PRONACES) initiatives in Mexico's journey towards smart city development. The focus is on examining how PRONACES integrates technological innovation with urban planning and sustainability, leveraging mathematical models to optimize and predict the outcomes of various smart city initiatives. The methodology includes a review of current literature to establish the state of the art, followed by the development and application of mathematical models to assess and forecast the effectiveness of PRONACES strategies. These models are based on a variety of parameters including urban growth, technology adoption, resource allocation, and environmental impact. Key findings demonstrate the significant role of PRONACES in transforming urban landscapes in Mexico. The mathematical models provide valuable predictions and insights into the potential outcomes of various smart city strategies, indicating pathways for efficient resource management, infrastructure development, and sustainable urban growth. The paper concludes with an emphasis on the importance of mathematical modeling in planning and implementing smart city initiatives. The challenges and opportunities presented by Mexico’s unique urban landscape are discussed, along with recommendations for future research and policy-making in the field of smart urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-conferences like COP26 in Glasgow (UK) in 2021 have brought the debate on energy consumption and climate change to the fore. Given that a third of the energy produced worldwide is consumed in the home, it is pertinent to investigate how households use emerging technologies that allow households to monitor their energy consumption. This paper investigates how Danish households use green IT to monitor and manage their energy use and studies the related meaning householders attach to the green IT. We present qualitative data collected through interviews with 14 households, electric car owners mostly, who have adopted an application to monitor green energy availability – and its derived consumption. The paper highlights these householders' green energy monitoring practices with an emphasis on the meaning they make of the green IT application they used. Our study found that households can use more green energy without interacting continuously with the green IT application. This contrasts with a common assumption in the field of green IT design that consumers must continuously engage with the green IT to consume more green energy. We also posit that including householders in future green IT design is paramount for designing successful green IT applications. Finally, this paper calls for household energy consumption studies to view energy consumption as a service where specific practices are matched to energy sources – rather than viewing energy availability as a solitary incident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines two atypical sparsely populated regions and their experience implementing a strategy of forest-based bioeconomy through smart specialization. Smart specialization is increasingly promoted as an opportunity for green transformations. Indeed, its recent evolution from S3 to S4 is an effort to address environmental sustainability challenges alongside regional development. In this paper, we argue that one of smart specialization's early stages, the entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP), can help establish a basis for the green transformation of traditional industries located in sparsely populated areas. The EDP is a participatory process that gathers diverse actors interested in developing a common economic sector, mostly through innovation. We explain how multi-actor participation facilitate understanding innovation as a problem-solving process requiring the input of actors outside (but including) the firms. As the cases show, this can unlock the potential of place-based multi-actor interventions to identify and mobilize pre-existing conditions and resources that, when combined with a common agenda, can influence green path renewal. In our cases, those pre-existing conditions are a culture of collaboration, knowledge, infrastructure and access to natural resources. The common agenda is to transform the regional economy into a forest-based bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability transitions require that sustainable innovations develop and scale-up. Two promising approaches contribute to this purpose. Design thinking (DT) focuses on the creative development of sustainable innovations to achieve desirable, feasible and viable products. Strategic niche management (SNM) addresses how sustainable innovations should be deployed to the market. At first sight, these concepts seem to pursue a complementary mission, yet, academic literature has not explicitly addressed their complementary nature. Therefore, this paper addresses this gap by reviewing, proposing and empirically exploring the merits of SNM and how these can be used in DT through a workshop to increase successful market implementation of sustainable innovations. The study finds that SNM potentially helps the DT design process to (1) change market preconditions for the design, (2) create a protected niche for development, (3) establish a (long term) commercial viability, and (4) create an innovation development plan through definition of a set of testable propositions. The paper concludes that the inclusion of SNM into DT substantially increases the preparedness of an innovation team for a successful market implementation of sustainable innovations and coins the term 'Design to Market Thinking' for the integrated use of SNM in DT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With sustainability orientation and opportunities provided for economic growth, the circular economy is much promoted by the Welsh government in recent years. In this region, Communities of practice (CoP) are cultivated to link various industry sectors together, sharing knowledge and creating a practical solution to circular economy related challenges. While current literature provides the framework of a regional innovation ecosystem in the form of Triple Helix, the role of CoP is underexplored. The key research question of this paper is 'how can the CoP approach cultivate regional circular economy innovation?' Through an in-depth case study of the Communities of Circular Economy Innovation (CEIC) project in East Wales, the paper identifies the construct of CoP, its dynamic lifecycle, and the interaction between CoP and Triple Helix. Findings reveal that whilst universities and government play a leading role in innovation at early stages by deliberately establishing the CoP, the self-governance of CoP at later stages results in active influence on industry changes and policy designs. The paper contributes to the literature on micro-relations among regional innovation actors by highlighting the role of CoP in creating emerging new knowledge and tools. It also provides practical implications to industry and policy makers to promote a regional circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple global trends and drivers have resulted in a steep escalation of tech-socio-economic inequities in basic human needs across industrialized as well as industrializing nations. This escalation is paralleled by the growing trend of novel and simple frugal innovations for meeting basic human needs, which are applied across various communities in the world towards bridging gaps of inequity. Frugality in this context is defined as minimizing the use of capital resources while delivering effective manufacturing product outcomes. It is noteworthy that frugal innovations are abundantly observed in the biological designs in nature. This paper is aimed at understanding the methodology of frugal engineering behind the resulting frugal manufacturing innovations through discovering the cross-section of frameworks of biological designs in nature and equitable social innovations. Authors have applied the framework of biological designs as these designs are observed to deliver multifunctionality, resilience, and sustainability, which are key to a frugal and equitable innovation platform and achieved by the frugal engineering process. As water is one of the most basic human needs, this paper uses water as an illustrative example to understand the frugal engineering process. The authors discuss designs in nature from cactus, tree roots, and human skin, and design parallels in related frugal innovations namely in fog-capturing nets, ice stupa, and Zeer (pot-in-a-pot), respectively, for equitable water access. The authors propose and discuss a resulting methodology for frugal engineering. This methodology can be utilized as a starting point for developing case-specific socially conscious manufacturing solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global agricultural production is facing unprecedented challenges as the environment becomes increasingly polluted. Governments, scientists, companies and farmers are beginning to focus on appropriate environmental remediation and sustainable agricultural technologies and practices. Innovative environmental adaptation/remediation technologies have been developed and validated, including physical/chemical remediation, green sorbents and bioremediation. The development of environmental remediation technologies has provided additional tools and methods for global agri-environment and food security. The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together 21 cutting-edge research papers covering the latest developments in soil conditions, inorganic pollution, organic pollution, remediation technologies and monitoring methods. The four themes of the Special Issue are "Improvement of agricultural soil properties", "Remediation of potentially toxic element pollution", "Remediation of organic pollution" and "Ecosystem and crop assessment". Based on the results of this Special Issue, we find that combining the latest environmental pollution problems with advanced remediation technologies, continuously promoting technological innovation and policy support, and developing integrated new technologies for environmental protection will be future areas of research for sustainable agro-environmental development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives set in the European Green Deal constitute the starting point of this review, which then focuses on the current implementation gap between agro-industrial wastes as resources for large-scale bioprocesses (e.g., baker's yeast, bioethanol, citric acid, and amino acids). This review highlights the current lack of sustainability of the post-harvest processing of grapes and apples. In light of the European Green Deal, industrial biotechnology often lacks sustainability as well. We reviewed the recent progress reported in the literature to enhance the valorization of grape and apple pomace and the current failure to implement this research in technical processes. Nevertheless, selected recent papers show new perspectives to bridge this gap by establishing close collaborations between academic teams and industrial partners. As a final outcome, for the first time, we drew a circular flow diagram that connects agriculture post-harvest transformation with the industrial biotechnology and other industries through the substantial valorization of apple and grape pomace into renewable energy (solid biofuels) and sugar extracts as feedstock for large-scale bioprocesses (production of baker's yeast industry, citric acid, bioethanol and amino acids). Finally, we discussed the requirements needed to achieve the successful bridging of the implementation gap between academic research and industrial innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, innovations introduced in companies that are exposed to a complex business environment are a hot topic of discussion. Their growth and sustainability are intrinsically linked to innovation processes. In order for enterprises to move forward, this very issue with its emphasis on strategic sustainability in such enterprises represents, in our view, a research gap that needs to be continuously explored in greater depth. In the present paper, we focus on Slovak enterprises that are based on the development of new products in Slovakia and which are also part of a stagnant innovation environment. Attention is drawn to selected aspects influencing innovation in enterprises, which should be perceived by companies not as a burden, but as an intrinsic need for their further development and their sustainability in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand why higher education institutions (HEIs) struggle to become sustainable institutions themselves despite providing relevant teaching and research on sustainability. Design/methodology/approach: Using 17 open-ended, semistructured interviews to determine common themes (codes) regarding sustainability, the authors mapped those codes to the adaptive cycle from social innovation theory. Findings: Using the adaptive cycle offered a framework for understanding sustainability at HEIs as a cyclical process where innovation occurs in ebbs and flows. Differing perceptions of power by students and faculty slow down the process, and cross-collaboration is the key to further sustainability. Practical implications: Insights from the adaptive cycle can contribute to HEI assessment of its sustainability initiatives by identifying the stage of the adaptive cycle relevant to the institution's present sustainability work. Originality/value: Applying the adaptive cycle is an original way of understanding the process of anchoring sustainability at HEIs providing concrete insights into advancing this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document seeks to highlight the relevance of innovation as a collective process, supported by the efforts of multiple actors - public, private and organized civil society - in the construction of a sustainable future. That is to say, innovation is analysed under an approach towards the construction of a sustainable future, based on a shared responsibility, which implies the expansion of governance mechanisms, with an inclusive view, that respects and values the environmental, social and economic dimensions. Therefore, we argue that thinking about advances in knowledge on this topic implies recognizing the relevance of the diversity of perspectives and joint decision-making and actions, in addition to recognizing the factors that facilitate or limit sustainable innovation. In this sense, this special issue of the GECONTEC Journal presents four selected papers from the Congress of the Latin-Iberoamerican Association of Technological and Innovation Management (ALTEC 2021), whose evidence corroborates what we propose here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities' high traffic concentration, fast technological change, resource scarcity and growing environmental concerns accentuate competing tensions between stakeholders, transport modes and policies in the mobility sector. Tensions become even more salient in shared mobility – a complex yet relatively new phenomenon at the intersection between sharing economy and the transport sector – and raise numerous concerns for meeting sustainability objectives. The purpose of this paper is to identify conflicting demands associated with shared mobility by conducting a systematic literature review. Our results reveal several contradictions related to shared mobility and sustainability goals, and relations between those constantly evolving in a dynamic fashion. Thus, although shared mobility represents a step forward in achieving sustainability in theory, in practice, this task is only partially completed due to existing inherent contradictions. A paradox perspective on shared mobility, proposed in this paper, provides grounds for revisiting policy actions and finding workable solutions for practitioners. • Competing tensions exist between stakeholders, transport modes and policies in the mobility sector and more saliently within shared mobility. • Attempts to resolve these often result in repeated emergence of persistent tensions. • We conduce a systematic literature review to identify such conflicts following the Paradox literature. • In our approach, we treat tensions not just as static alternatives, but as interrelated elements that can co-exist in a dynamic relationship. • We show that although shared mobility represents an attempt to meet environmental, economic, and social goals, it only partially contributes to these, and resulting issues require decision makers' attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to propose an improved hesitation fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making method to realize green supply chain member selection under green innovation vision. The method uses hesitation fuzzy sets to express decision information of decision makers, takes green innovation capability as the evaluation perspective, and selects green innovation input, synergy of subjects in green supply chain, green innovation output capability, institutional innovation capability of enterprises in green supply chain, and green innovation sustainability as the indexes to evaluate the green innovation capability of enterprises. The multi-attribute decision method proposed in this paper takes into account the shortcomings of the original hesitant fuzzy multi-attribute decision method considering attribute weight optimization in the determination of attribute weights and scheme ranking, then proposes a three-point estimation method for scheme ranking and optimizes the attribute weights by quantifying the balance coefficients of the original decision method. Finally, an example is used to verify the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed method, and a comparison with the original method is made to highlight the advantages of this paper's method. This paper provides a certain theoretical basis for the selection of members in green supply chains, which helps the selection of members in green supply chains and provides some insight for similar hesitant fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making problems in other fields. In future research, the method proposed in this paper can be considered to combine with probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets and some other fuzzy sets for method extensions to solve multi-attribute decision-making problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Construction of sustainable, energy efficient buildings, infrastructure and transportation systems is a worthwhile and necessary goal to address critical worldwide environmental and energy concerns. However, as societies move toward this goal, it is the position of the International Forum of Fire Research Directors that the safety of the public and the protection of property against losses due to fire should not, and need not, be compromised in its pursuit. Fire safety consideration should form an unrenouncable part of any new product or technology developed to promote sustainable construction, and acceptable solutions to acute fire safety concerns must not pose a threat to the long term health of workers, fire fighters or the general public. This paper concentrates primarily on fire safety performance of new products, materials and technologies associated with the move toward sustainable communities, while recognizing that there are also issues confronting the fire safe design of buildings and infrastructure with features such as natural daylighting, natural ventilation, “smart facade” technologies, intelligent building controls, and water reduction strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper examines sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) in Mukono District, Central Uganda. However, sustainable food security production is an inevitable pillar toward environmental conservation and efficient rural livelihoods. Nevertheless, there is a need for robust capacity building and a change of generational perspectives toward agriculture. This research examines the adoption of SAPs among coffee farmers in Uganda. It focused on socio-economic and environmental factors leading to the adoption of SAPs among coffee farmers. The methodology used was a descriptive research design. Questionnaires and an interview guide were used for data collection from 60 respondents--three extension workers and 57 coffee farmers of Mukono district--who were randomly selected and data was analyzed using SPSS software. The study showed that land ownership has a direct influence on the adoption of SAPs. It was also found that 58% of the coffee farmers who participated in the study have between 5-10 acres of land. Additionally, these results indicate that the perception of soil fertility benefits and rainfall precipitation promotes the adoption of SAPs. However, land size and ownership are determinant factors for the adoption of SAPs. In addition to various programs by associations and cooperatives, through non-governmental organizations and government-led initiatives, to offer technical and financial support along with capacity building, it is recommended that such programs prioritize more incentives for land access. This will improve land ownership problems, space to apply farming innovative technologies, and capacity building in order to enhance SAP adoption and hence improve livelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an ongoing research study funded by UKRI to map India's creative industries. Using an ecosystem framework, it has focused on strategy/policy; tangible and intangible infrastructure; funding and investment to understand innovation drivers and barriers across nine sub-sector value chains. The research established there is no one creative industries policy. Responsibility is split across 16 government ministries and 28 states. Much of India's economy is informal, with limited data on policy effects. Nevertheless, four important policies are shaping the creative industries landscape, supplemented by investment from global brands into textiles, media and advertising. These are driving innovation and design for social and ecological sustainability. At the time of writing the study is undertaking deep dives into CreaTec, Design for sustainability in fashion and textiles, and emerging geographic concentrations. It has identified a distinctive focus on how supply chains might inform UK circular fashion and media production policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is at the heart of the concept of the common home. By prioritizing sustainability, we can create a better common home and ensure the well-being of present and future generations. However, there is a dilemma in the interpretation of sustainability, which is mainly characterized by the irreconcilability between "weak sustainability" and "strong sustainability". The dilemma is partly rooted in some Western philosophical traditions such as the Western separatist mindset, anthropocentrism, and technological solutionism, which have contributed to human subjugation. This paper proposes Confucian eco-ethics to resolve this dilemma. First, Confucian eco-ethics embraces the holistic worldview of "anthropocosmic" that establishes an ontological understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependence between humans and nature, which transcends the Western dichotomy of subject and object and resolves the dualism between human beings and nature. Second, Confucian eco-ethics advocates "pushing oneself to all things" and considers human beings and nature as an ethical community, which emphasizes the ethical responsibility of human beings to protect nature, thus remedying the dilemma that anthropocentrism and ecocentrism have too little or too much responsibility for nature. Third, Confucianism endorses benevolence as a core value for managing technology to achieve sustainable development, and it favors a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, values reform, and institutional reform to solve ecological problems. To do this, we analyze the Dujiangyan Water Hydro-Project Hydraulic Project as a case study to illustrate the practical feasibility of Confucian eco-ethics in achieving sustainable development. The conclusion suggests that Confucian eco-ethics can enrich and expand sustainability theory, offering an alternative pathway for a better common home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has emerged as a crucial framework for addressing the interdependencies and trade-offs between these vital resources. In the context of a just energy transition, where the pursuit of sustainable and equitable energy systems is paramount, understanding the WEF nexus becomes even more critical. We explore the evolving concept of the WEF nexus and its relevance to achieving a sustainable energy transition that considers social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. This paper highlights key challenges and opportunities in implementing a just energy transition within the context of the WEF nexus, with a focus on promoting social inclusion, ensuring water and food security, and optimizing energy production and consumption. Additionally, we discuss the importance of integrated policymaking, cross-sectoral collaboration, and innovative technologies in addressing the complex interactions between water, energy, and food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the determinants of environmental sustainability has become a very attractive and popular area of research in response to the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) and COP26 targets. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to explore the effects of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market on environmental sustainability in the United States (US). This work contributes to the extant body of knowledge by exploring the effect of the insurance market on the load capacity factor (LC), specifically regarding the US. The LC tracks a certain ecological threshold by simultaneously comparing biocapacity and ecological footprint (EF), thereby providing a comprehensive empirical analysis of ecological sustainability determinants. However, this proxy includes the combined attributes of the demand and supply sides of ecological sustainability. Using the recently developed autoregressive distributed lag method, this research reveals that the insurance market adversely affects the LC in the US. The overall outcomes highlight the positive role of renewable energy, technological innovation, and the insurance market in achieving the SDGs and COP26 targets. Policy recommendations for policymakers concerning promoting renewable energy, green innovation activities, the green insurance market, and ecological regulations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the implications for higher education of a rapidly changing global context, where technologies play a role in the propagation of unsustainable patterns of change. Drawing from research on science and technology studies as well as existing work on (higher) education for sustainability, it seeks to expose the multidimensional nature of these patterns to raise a series of questions for educators, particularly those in engineering, computer science and other technical disciplines, and inform structured curricular and organisational interventions. Design/methodology/approach: Theoretical perspectives on unsustainable patterns of technological change are explored with the objective of informing how the mitigation of their evolution could be addressed in educational settings. Key themes in the sustainability and higher education literature are then identified with the purpose of informing curricular and organisational intervention. Findings: Countering unsustainable patterns of technological change requires the development of key sustainability competencies within more technical disciplines, informed by concepts in science and technology studies. This requires change at curricular, organisational and institutional levels to enable spaces for inter- and transdisciplinary learning to be created, so that skills may be developed. Originality/value: This paper reflects on unsustainable patterns of technological change, identifying challenges for educators, in particular those in more technical disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the technological, economic and environmental impacts of disruptive innovations in the transportation mobility market. Design/methodology/approach: The paper gathered data from World Bank and 13 open sources in an exploratory, descriptive and applied investigation on potentially disruptive transport innovations outcomes in G7 and BRICS (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) economies, businesses and societies. Findings: The results suggest positive implications for technological leapfrogging of electric vehicles (EV), autonomous vehicles (AVs) and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOLs), such as gains in energy consumption, infrastructure improvement, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, economic growth and the opportunity for new disruptive technologies to improve or even revolutionize the transportation ecosystem. Research limitations/implications: This study has clear limitations as it compares G7 and BRICS hypothetical scenarios where internal combustion vehicles were replaced by new technologies, ceteris paribus. Even so, as theoretical implications, the study presents market scenarios for EVs, AVs and eVTOLs technologies, bringing benefits to the disruptive innovation theory by expanding the understanding of the subject and also opening avenues of investigation by exploring new technological, economic and environmental possibilities. Practical implications: This study emphasises potentially disruptive technologies' technological, economic and sustainable benefits to countries through technological leapfrogging. The organizations can delve into results to investigate forthcoming markets and seek advantageous positions. Economic and social gains from leapfrogging could motivate government bodies to finance research focusing on EVs, AVs and eVTOLs diffusion. Originality/value: The paper's originality resides in aggregating multiple data sources to compare technological leapfrogging in G7 and BRICS transportation. The different views allowed for exploring the potential outcomes of EVs, AVs and eVTOLs on economic, sustainability and market dimensions in developed and developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of new transformational technology, known as the fourth industrial revolution, has crucially opened a new window to green economic growth. The transition to low carbon, green economy, and green sustainability has gained momentum simultaneously in developed and developing countries. The greening policy echoes the pending climate change and its entrenching disruptions. Financial technology, or FinTech seems to be a promising direction in unlocking the green dilemma; to be concrete, FinTech and the green economy are separately documented in the literature. Against this background, the current study investigates the intersection between green economic growth and FinTech by conducting a systematic-cum-bibliometric analysis of published papers in the Scopus database with the goal of first examining the role and opportunities of implementing green FinTech as a stimulus for transition towards green economic growth in African countries and, second, identifying knowledge gaps and future policy and research directions by developing an integrated framework to help African countries in the transition to green economic growth and green FinTech. The results illustrate an increasing trend in research attention towards the green FinTech concept and its relationship with green economic growth, climate change, and greening rules and standards. A deep inspection of the mined papers indicates that future research trajectories are oriented into five different mainstreams: technology and instruments in digital finance; regulation, policies, and green FinTech; climate risk mitigation through FinTech; FinTech and environmental quality; green finance and climate change mitigation. Based on these research directions, an integrated framework was conceptualised that aims to deliver green economic growth using FinTech as a vehicle of transition for African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper helps in determining the critical success factors (CSFs) for sustainability financial technology business. An attempt is made to study the influence of were found CSFs to be key aspects of a business that must go well to ensure the success of an organization. These CSFs include issues that are vital to a company's operating activities and its future success. The study collected data from 253 respondents through a structured questionnaire. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling has been adopted to analyze the data through SmartPLSv3. For better understanding, we emphasize that companies within the same industry may exhibit different CSFs due to anomalies in their environmental situation or strategic situations, which might pose as a challenge for this study and the future exploration towards a general set of CSFs for sustainability fintech companies. The research concluded the presented seven CSFs with the following customer centricity, low profit margin, agility, scalability, security management, innovation, and compliance easy. The findings of the paper are beneficial for fintech enterprises and marketers to enhance the awareness and advantages of financial technology according to the needs of consumers and add value to the existing literature on the future sustainable financial technology businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This review seeks to understand how scientific research on trace elements in beef cattle has been developed and how the interaction of this theme with topics related to animal, environmental and human health has been established. Given the duality of many of the trace elements, being known as nutrients in small amounts or toxic when they exceed small concentrations, we brought the One Health perspective to analyse how researchers approach this research theme. In this work, we propose a path through scientific production to promote innovation, sustainability of animal production, food safety and human health. The objective was to investigate the context, approach and research topics present in the papers that analysed trace elements in beef cattle to identify gaps and scientific perspectives for the sustainable management of trace elements in livestock. The main research groups came from the United States, Spain, Japan, Brazil, India and Slovakia, which represented 31% of the papers produced. Only 37% of studies addressed aspects that integrated animal, environmental and human health. The reviewed papers concerned 56 elements and 15 bovine tissues (Cu, Zn, Pb, liver, muscle and kidney highlighted). The main gaps were (1) lack of research in developing countries, (2) the need to understand the impact of different environmental issues and their relationship to the conditions in which animals are raised, and (3) the need to understand the role of many trace elements in animal nutrition and their relationship to environmental and human health. Finally, we highlight possible ways to expand knowledge and provide innovations for broad emerging issues, primarily through expanding collaborative research networks. In this context, we suggest the adoption of the One Health approach for planning further research on trace elements in livestock. Moreover, the One Health approach should also be considered for managers and politicians for a sustainable environmental care and food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their economic success, the BRICS countries have yet to achieve environmental sustainability. On the other hand, these countries will not be able to maintain their economic expansion if they do not protect the natural environment. In this regard, this paper intends to assess the effects of financial integration (globalization) on ecological footprint. The paper also considers other ecological footprint drivers, including economic expansion, urbanization, renewable energy and technological innovation. The research utilizes a dataset spanning from 1990 to 2018. The study employed the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) approach, which is robust to cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity issues. The outcomes from the MMQR disclose that the effect of financial globalization on ecological footprint is positive across all quantiles (0.1–0.90), thus validating the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) in the BRICS nations. Furthermore, both renewable energy and technological innovation curb ecological footprint across all quantiles (0.1–0.90). Moreover, technological innovation is proven to impact the environment positively across all quantiles (0.1–0.90) via the path of urbanization. As a result, technological innovation is projected to help the BRICS nations achieve sustainable urbanization. The DOLS, FMOLS, FE-OLS outcomes also validate the outcomes of MMQR. Based on these results, policies were proposed. • MMQR applied to integrate asymmetric effects. • Renewable energy consumption and technological innovation derive ecological sustainability. • Financial integration-led Pollution-haven-hypothesis is confirmed. • Economic growth and urbanization lead to higher ecological footprints. • Technology innovation neutralizes the negative impact of urbanization on ecological sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a series of global events completely outside of its control, the aviation industry has started to look once again to the future. The focus can now turn from crisis management towards investing in the future of the infrastructure, the technology and the way that services are delivered to passengers and stakeholders. Recovery must, however, be achieved within the constraints of industry best practice in sustainability, new technologies and, of course, available financial resources. Never before has the importance of achieving a demonstrable return on investment (ROI) been placed on every airport development project, irrespective of scale. This paper provides an overview of how ROI can be built into airport projects, how it can be achieved and how it can be measured. The paper also highlights the importance of ROI as a corporate strategy that is reflected through every aspect of airport development and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conceptual study explores the alignment between servitization—a shift from selling products to offering services—and circularity principles. The study introduces institutional confluence—a configuration of institutional pressures that enhance business model legitimacy to stakeholders and facilitate operational success— which can serve as a driver aligning servitization with circular principles. Institutional confluence has the capacity to trigger novel business models, shape resources and processes, enhance value capture, and inhibit unsustainable business models. The study develops the concept and underscores the role of institutional confluence in promoting this alignment and subsequent environmental sustainability. The article utilizes illustrative case examples from servitization and circular business models to develop the concept of institutional confluence serving sustainable servitization. The study offers strategic insights for managers and policymakers, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that integrates servitization and circularity from the outset of business model design. It advocates for policies that leverage regulatory, normative, and mimetic pressures to foster sustainable business practices. The article contributes to the servitization literature by delineating the mechanisms through which institutional forces facilitate or hinder the integration of servitization and circularity, offering directions for future research to explore these dynamics across different contexts and industries. • Management scholars have tended to view the uptake of servitized circular business model frameworks through an internal business model lens, with firm-level innovation capabilities. We look beyond the focal company and consider how business model development interacts with wider societal development. • This paper utilizes institutional influences as explanatory drivers for this process. • The paper introduces the concept of institutional 'confluence', a mutually reinforcing process of interactivity between institutional pressures, for servitized circularity. • Policymakers are encouraged to enhance normative socio-cultural pressures for servitized circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper introduced the functional role of robotic arms in precision agriculture. • This paper summarized the hardware and software technologies of agricultural robotic arms. • This paper presented the application of robotic arms in various agricultural environments, including greenhouses, fields, and orchards. • This paper discussed the challenges and future prospects of robotic arms in precision agriculture. In precision agriculture, robotic arms exhibit significant technical advantages, such as enhancing operational precision and efficiency, reducing labor costs, and supporting environmental sustainability. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the application of ground-based robotic arms in precision agriculture, analyzing the hardware and software aspects and current application status across various agricultural settings, and discussing challenges and prospects in this field. First, this paper explores precision agriculture and agricultural robotic arms, highlighting their critical roles in enhancing agricultural efficiency and automation. Further, it addresses the challenges plaguing the practical applications of robotic arms and compares innovative robotic arm technologies with traditional models to establish a foundation for understanding these advancements in modern agriculture. Additionally, this paper analyses the hardware of robotic arms, including rigid and flexible manipulators, drivers, end-effectors, sensors, and controllers, emphasizing the importance of innovation and optimization for improved performance. For the software systems, this paper focused on classic workflows and advanced algorithms for perception, motion planning, and control, as these are essential for the precise and adaptable functioning of robotic arms in diverse agricultural environments. Furthermore, this paper reviews the research and application status of robotic arms across various settings, including greenhouses (e.g., ground planting, desktop planting, and vertical planting), fields (e.g., dry fields, moist, and paddy fields), and orchards (e.g., fruit tree orchards, vineyard orchards, and ground-level orchards) to demonstrate their broad applicability and efficient operational capabilities in diverse conditions. Lastly, this paper discusses the challenges and prospects of robotic arms, emphasizing the significance of integrating disciplines, such as agronomy and biomimetics, big data, artificial intelligence, digital twinning, and human–machine interaction. Advancements in these areas are pivotal for the progress of robotic arm technology and for introducing innovative, efficient solutions to precision agriculture. In summary, this review reveals the immense potential of the application of robotic arms in precision agriculture. With ongoing technological advancements, these robotic arms are expected to play an increasingly crucial role in future agricultural production, making substantial contributions to achieving more efficient, innovative, and sustainable farming practices, heralding a new era in agricultural technology. This paper will serve as a valuable guide for researchers and practitioners, offering comprehensive insights into the use of robotic arms in precision agriculture and providing essential knowledge for advancing the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is abundant in wastewater sludge and can be a secondary P source that will contribute to a circular economy. Electrochemical systems are an emerging technology that can be used to release and recover P from wastewater sludge. This paper introduces and analyzes the state-of-the-art electrochemical methods for P release and recovery from wastewater sludge, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Electrochemical P release, which involves mobilizing P from the solid phase into the aqueous phase, is categorized into three major mechanisms, electro-biological release, anodic P release, and cathodic P release. Anodic P release has been most widely studied with a median P release rate of 92.4 mg d−1. Correlation analysis revealed that the type of feed sludge, sludge P contents, sludge loading rate, and current density have a significant impact on the P release performance. The released P is subsequently separated from the heavy metal laden sludge and then recovered via different electrochemical systems such as three-chamber cells, two-chamber cells, and their variations. Those systems can achieve P recovery efficiency of 50 ∼ 80% and a recovery rate of 2.0 × 102∼1.8 × 103 mg P d−1. Energy consumption of electrochemical P recovery is estimated at 50 ∼ 200 kWh kg−1 P but only 27.3% of literature reported such data. This work provides insights into the development and challenges of electrochemical P release & recovery from wastewater sludge and discusses the challenges that need to be addressed to advance the viability of electrochemical P recovery approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand why higher education institutions (HEIs) struggle to become sustainable institutions themselves despite providing relevant teaching and research on sustainability. Design/methodology/approach: Using 17 open-ended, semistructured interviews to determine common themes (codes) regarding sustainability, the authors mapped those codes to the adaptive cycle from social innovation theory. Findings: Using the adaptive cycle offered a framework for understanding sustainability at HEIs as a cyclical process where innovation occurs in ebbs and flows. Differing perceptions of power by students and faculty slow down the process, and cross-collaboration is the key to further sustainability. Practical implications: Insights from the adaptive cycle can contribute to HEI assessment of its sustainability initiatives by identifying the stage of the adaptive cycle relevant to the institution's present sustainability work. Originality/value: Applying the adaptive cycle is an original way of understanding the process of anchoring sustainability at HEIs providing concrete insights into advancing this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, industries are focusing on green habits, with world leaders demanding net zero carbon; clean energy is considered an attractive and viable option. The Internet of things (IoT) is an emerging technology with potential opportunities in the clean energy domain for quality improvement in production and management. Earlier studies on IoTs show evidence that direct adoption of such digital technology is an ordeal and incurs adoption barriers that must be prioritized for effective management. Motivated by the claim, in this paper, the authors attempt to prioritize the diverse adoption barriers with the support of the newly proposed Fermatean fuzzy-based decision framework. Initially, qualitative rating information is collected via questionnaires on barriers and criteria from the circular economy (CE). Later, these are converted to Fermatean fuzzy numbers used by integrated approaches for decision processes. A regret scheme is put forward for determining CE criteria importance, and the barriers are prioritized by using a novel ranking algorithm that incorporates the WASPAS formulation and experts' personal choices during rank estimation. The applicability of the developed framework is testified via a case example. Sensitivity analysis and comparison reveal the merits and limitations of the developed decision model. Results show that labor/workforce skill insufficiency, an ineffective framework for performance, a technology divide, insufficient legislation and control, and lack of time for training and skill practice are the top five barriers that hinder IoT adoption, based on the rating data. Additionally, the criteria such as cost cutting via a reuse scheme, resource circularity, emission control, and scaling profit with green habits are the top four criteria for their relative importance values. From these inferences, the respective authorities in the clean energy sector could effectively plan their strategies for addressing these barriers to promote IoT adoption in the clean energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the normative view that Quadruple Helix collaborations (with government, academia, industry and civil society) such as living labs are prescribed to enhance regional innovation performance, there is scarce knowledge of the sustainability of such collaborations from the perspective of the stakeholders who are supposed to engage in such initiatives. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to empirically explore the implementation of the Quadruple Helix for innovation from a stakeholder perspective, by understanding the expectations as well as the perceived benefits and challenges of the collaboration. Through a qualitative research design, this paper presents an in-depth case study of a living lab in the region of Catalonia. Our results challenge the normative view of Quadruple Helix approaches and of living labs; we also offer suggestions to manage future collaborations and to inform further evidence-based policy. On the whole, partnership leadership and coordination are critical to bridge the expectation-implementation gap towards stakeholder satisfaction and collaboration sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary approach to study and transfer principles or mechanisms from nature to solve design challenges, frequently differentiated from other design disciplines by its particular focus on and promise of sustainability. However, in the biomimicry and biologically inspired design literature, there are varying interpretations of how and whether biomimetic designs lead to sustainable outcomes and how sustainability, nature, and mimesis are conceptualised and engaged in practice. This paper takes a particular focus on the built environment and presents a theoretical overview of biomimicry literature spanning across specific fields, namely architecture, philosophy, sustainability and design. We develop upon conceptual considerations in an effort to contribute to the growing calls in the literature for more reflective discussions about the nuanced relationship between biomimicry and sustainability. We further develop a 'Biomimicry for Sustainability' framework that synthesises recent reflective deliberations, as a possible direction for further theorisation of biomimicry, aiming to elaborate on the role of biomimicry as a sustainable design methodology and its potential to cultivate more sustainable human-nature relations. The framework is used as a tool for retrospective analysis, based on literature of completed designs, and as a catalyst for biomimetic design thinking. The objective of this paper is to serve as a point of departure for more active and deeper discussions regarding future biomimetic practice in the context of sustainability and transformational change, particularly within the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of the first generation of urban living labs (ULLs) to system-wide sustainability transformations is thus far less than expected. A possible explanation for this can be found in the focus of most ULLs on local, highly contextualized knowledge, and a missing link to system-wide transformations through diffusion and upscaling beyond the geographic boundaries of the lab. Meta-learning, i.e., learning across multiple, distributed experiments, through networked ULLs seems to offer a way forward. However, the literature on city networks shows that meta-learning cannot be effectively facilitated in horizontal networks without a learning infrastructure. To address this shortcoming and inspire a second generation of ULLs, this Perspective paper outlines a meta-lab approach actively facilitating the contribution of local living labs to wider sustainability transformations. We see a meta-lab as a transurban multi-actor network to connect and, where possible, align the learning processes across thematically related ULLs in different urban contexts through a central learning agenda. The meta-lab approach respects and supports local learning agendas and their focus on local solutions for local problems, while acknowledging and utilizing the potential of local experiments to contribute to a central learning agenda. Our paper argues that a meta-lab approach can act as a catalyst of learning in two important ways: (1) by accelerating local experimentation and learning processes by feeding them with lessons from other locations; and (2) by facilitating a more focused – local and transurban – learning process through a shared learning agenda. The meta-lab approach thus stimulates urban sustainability transformations by supporting faster, more focused and wider learning about effective innovations. We conclude this paper by outlining how common pitfalls in transurban learning can be avoided by a careful design of the meta-lab, or by meeting certain conditions when implementing this design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societies worldwide have faced different economic, environmental and social challenges in recent decades, including increasing population and consumption, shortages of natural resources, pollution and climate change. Agriculture is one of the most affected sectors. Considering its vital role as a provider of life-sustaining products and services, as well as business opportunities and employment for millions of people, we are responsible for finding solutions for its long-term development. For thousands of years, agriculture has grown in line with human civilization's growth. During its evolution, though, many negative externalities have become evident. Some resources disappeared; others were severely damaged or exhausted, threatening the food security of many countries or the whole world. The signals nature has sent us for years have become more and more serious. It is about time to change our philosophy of life and our social and economic models. It is time to focus on knowledge, science and innovations, good practices and experience, and new technologies. The main objective of this paper is to summarize and present some of the most influential concepts of economic growth, analyze its dependence on innovations, and present the potential of new technologies to contribute to the social and economic development of agriculture. Some of the analysis is focused on the theory of economic growth and the ways it can provide sustainable development. The factors influencing the continuing economic growth of agriculture are evaluated, and a methodology for assessing technological efficiency is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses how green product and process innovations affect firms' sustainable performance. It seems evident that green innovations should benefit not only society but also the firms, although it is not clearly stated how this relationship works, especially inside clusters. We theorise that green process and product innovations have a curvilinear relationship with firm sustainable performance and that the geographical concentration of clusters has a positive reinforcing role for green product innovations. To test these theoretical expectations, moderated regression and quantile regression were applied to a sample of 175 firms from the Spanish footwear industry. Results confirm that although green innovations do improve performance, they have an inverted "U" shape that makes investments in green innovation less profitable above a certain threshold. In addition, we observe that geographical concentration is stronger for green product innovations since green process innovations need more tacit-based knowledge and internal capabilities, making the cluster effect less significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The 21st Century mining industry holds promise for smart and sustainable mining practices. • Technological advancements and an adequately skilled human workforce are key to migrating from command-and-control systems to integrated and intelligent remote operation centres (I2ROCs). • To date, few mining companies have achieved integrated remote operation centres IROCs, partially due to siloed data and privacy issues. • Our study reveals that I2ROCs can bridge the gap between digitalisation strategies and the implementation of new technology, in a people-centric environment. The futuristic view of smart mines is the attainment of automated self-governed mines without human intervention throughout the value chain. However, reality entails a hybrid environment where humans and machines must effectively work together, with a bias towards machines highly aiding human capabilities. The minerals industry will require systems, processes and strategies to navigate this hybrid environment and transitional period. In this work, we focus on the role that integrated remote operation centres (IROCs) will play in ensuring that mining companies continue to get value from technological advancements during the transformation period. A review of IROC implementations by leading mining companies revealed that most functions in IROCs are powered by low-level artificial intelligence, in which most capabilities are goal-oriented. In this situation, automated machines and processes are programmed to accomplish specific tasks without a two-way intelligent interaction with humans. An integrated and intelligent remote operation centre can provide additional benefits. We refer to such a facility as I2ROC. I2ROCs offer opportunities beyond the traditional command-and-control capabilities by providing analytical insights and the interaction between people and machines, which contributes to better decision-making, ultimately improving performance measurability. In this paper, several enablers of I2ROCs are identified, as well as drivers that will accelerate I2ROCs' attainment. The human element is critical in achieving the 21st Century mining model. As such, this paper takes a two-dimensional approach focusing on the role of humans and technology in the future mining model. Key factors are explored, such as the required skillset and how these skills can be enhanced. Specifically, we present essential elements defining I2ROCs and the critical requirements for a digitalised workforce fit for operation within I2ROCs. Our findings provide a comprehensive framework for multiple stakeholders to collaboratively pursue I2ROCs through effective education, training, and governance, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper explored the effect of renewable energy, financial development, and technological innovation on the ecological footprint in Brazil using a yearly dataset stretching between 1990 and 2018. The research leverage dynamic autoregressive distributed lag, Bayern and Hank cointegration, and frequency domain causality to explore these interrelationships. The ARDL bounds test outcome confirms a long-run connection between ecological footprint and its drivers. Besides, we employed the Bayern and Hank cointegration, and the outcome resonated with the ARDL bounds test result. Moreover, the dynamic ARDL outcomes disclosed that economic progress worsens the ecosystem whilst renewable energy, trade globalization, and technological innovation lessen the ecological footprint. In addition, no significant interrelationship was found between financial development and ecological footprint. Moreover, with the exemption of financial development, all the exogenous variables can forecast the ecological footprint in Brazil. The study proposes that policymakers in Brazil should undertake investments in research and development in order to achieve technological innovation. Furthermore, since technological innovation has been shown to contribute significantly to lowering the ecological footprint, it is possible to assume that enhancing current technology is the ultimate remedy to Brazil's ecological problems. • Dynamic ARDL applied to Brazil's time series data. • Renewable energy and Technology innovation improve environmental quality. • Trade and globalization also reduce Ecological Footprints (EF). • Economic Growth contributes to higher EF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the notion of sustainable development in corporate organizations and argues that businesses' adoption of systems/standards to support their sustainable development practices improves employee health and well-being in significant ways. Additionally, the paper analyses the effect of continual or progressive stress that employees face due to their job obligations, circumstances, surroundings, or other workplace pressures and how this affects the organization's sustainability. Given the growing importance of occupational stress due to technological innovations and global economic progress, it has developed into a worldwide sustainability concern, affecting professionals and all types of employees. Additionally, this study proposes a framework for implementing an integrated management systems (IMS) approach centered on the iterative implementation of sustainable development practices to promote employee health and well-being and minimize workplace demands. Further, the significance of studies exploring the relationship between a company's sustainable development policies, its employees' health, and well-being are explored, and future research direction was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines an overview of recent research advances in different production technologies toward sustainable development of nonwoven naturally sourced materials as alternatives to conventional synthetic laminated and bovine leather in the footwear industry. The current state of the footwear industry as a major stakeholder in the fashion sector is discussed, its footprints on the environment, and key developments from nonwoven natural fibrous materials for different footwear components are highlighted. Lastly, the review discusses recent research innovations of naturally sourced fibrous materials as leather alternatives in the footwear sector with special focus on sustainability and material performance. In addition, challenges and limitations in terms of industrial scalability and market potential are outlined. In conclusion, featuring promising nonwoven natural fibrous leather alternatives obtained via up-cycling of agro-wastes using microbes and fungi may be used in the textile and shoe industries. Since the prepared sheets through simple and cost-effective processes visually resemble conventional leather and demonstrate comparable material and tactile properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent literature on social innovation highlights its conceptual ambiguity and fragmentation. According to this context, this paper explores how social innovation can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Using a case study approach, we apply a mixed research methodology comprising a content analysis followed by multiple correspondence analysis. We examine 209 social innovation projects financed by the Portugal Social Innovation program in three dimensions: empowerment, content, and process. The social innovation projects addressed showed that social innovation projects can have varied objectives, be developed in different intervention areas, and empower different vulnerable groups of beneficiaries. The findings put in evidence the interaction between social innovation and SDGs, therefore social innovation supports the three sustainability dimensions: economy, society, and environment. In this sense, it is possible to conclude that SDGs constitute a framework that positions social innovation, bringing clarity and structure to the field. This identification and classification can promote the creation of a market of supply and demand of social innovations, strengthening the social innovation ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]