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This paper aims to introduce a new sustainable business excellence model, called Knowledge Management Excellence Model 21 (KMEM21), a theoretical framework that combines Knowledge Management and Business Excellence Models (BEMs), proposing an approach applicable to organizations to directly contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper through a qualitative-exploratory methodology makes an analysis and benchmarking, emphasizes the integration of Knowledge Management and three specific Business Excellence Models (Management Excellence Model (MEG) from Brazil, Baldrige Excellence Framework, and EFQM). This integration uncovers relationships between organizational concepts associated with Knowledge Management and BEMs, which contributes to new insights in the literature regarding these concepts' interplay. BEMs are presented as tools that can catalyze the power of Knowledge Management towards achieving SDGs. However, it's noted that the existing BEMs might not be adequate, as the goal extends beyond organizational improvement and excellence to encompass sustainable development aligned with SDGs. The article suggests that specific organizational concepts, identified through a literature review and aligned with Knowledge Management and BEMs, can be selected as indicators associated with the constructed KMEM21 and the SDGs. These indicators are intended to form a bridge between the new model and the SDGs. However, given the comprehensive nature of the theory, model development, application, result acquisition, and analysis, the article's primary contribution will be in its focus on elaborating the instrument and technique, demonstrating the creation of a theoretical framework for the SDGs. Future works will showcase the application of the proposed KMEM21 method in five Brazilian organizations, members of Global Compact, to compare the achieved objectives and the results obtained with the organizations' performance and their sustainability reports. [Display omitted] • There is a visible relationship between knowledge management and business excellence models, aided by shared organizational concepts. • Achieving the SDGs in organizations can be done by using the traits incorporated into knowledge management and business excellence models. • The Knowledge Management Excellence Model 21 represents an original approach, acting as a new sustainable business excellence model. • A comprehensive model can be constructed using a methodology that incorporates an instrument, a technique, and a method. • KMEM21 presents a strategic path that aligns with business excellence principles and the sustainable development objectives, offering a framework for organizational success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Community-based tourism (CBT) operates on a paradigm of community self-governance wherein traditional communities assume the role of instigators and protagonists in the realm of tourism within their territories. Within this framework, CBT emerges as a means of realizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) articulated in the United Nations' Agenda 2030, outlined in 2015. The present study aims to compare three TBC communities with the SDG criteria and their contribution to the 2023 Agenda. To achieve this aim, we employed a methodological approach rooted in case study, leveraging secondary sources and adopting a qualitative methodology. The principal findings underscore that the three scrutinized CBT communities—Tekoá-Pirá, Chã de Jardim, and Amucafé, located in Brazil—directly contribute to the attainment of seven SDGs and indirectly influence two others. As prospective research avenues, we advocate exploring additional initiatives and implementing empirical studies to delve more profoundly into the realities of these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to analyze the perceptions of professionals in the construction sector operating in Brazil regarding the development of sustainability practices in the sector and their contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this end, a literature review was developed, a survey was conducted among industry professionals, and the collected data were treated using Cronbach's alpha, hierarchical cluster analysis, and the TOPSIS multicriteria method. As a result, considering the generated ranking, the practices determining the promotion of a more sustainable construction sector were the encouragement and promotion of sustainability-focused events, education on sustainability, water treatment, and community project development. From the perspective of contributions to achieving the UN SDGs, greater alignment of sustainable practices with the established goals was highlighted in SDG 1, which seeks to eradicate poverty; SDG 4, which promotes inclusive education; SDG 6, referring to the importance of water treatment and access for all; SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to clean and affordable energy; SDG 9, which proposes the development of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure; SDG 11, which advocates for sustainable cities and communities; and SDG 12, which proposes the adoption of more sustainable production and consumption patterns. It is believed that this research represents the first exploratory study to consider sustainable practices in the civil construction sector, which are aligned with the sustainable development objectives proposed by the UN and consider the context of a country with an emerging economy from the perspective of professionals working in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate the perception of experts on the contribution of the Brazilian industrial sector in terms of sustainable development, focusing in particular on three of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) presented by United Nations (UN). A survey was conducted with professionals from Brazilian industry in order to identify their perceptions. It obtained sixty one answers and the collected data was evaluated technically and descriptively by TOPSIS analysis. It was found that Brazil has been carrying out some relevant actions, both sporadic and planned, with significant opportunities for improvement. Comparatively, the most cited contributions are those related to increasing productivity and technological modernization, which contributes to the inclusion of young people in the labor market, improving resource efficiency and the minimization of environmental degradation. Conversely, the least cited contributions are those related to the stimulation of sustainable consumption and negotiation with small companies. Therefore, the authors believe that the findings of this research could be useful for professionals and academics as guidance. It is also important to mention that no similar paper was found with an academic basis, which reinforces the originality and the contribution of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central motivation to restore ecosystems at a planetary scale has been to reverse degradation and provide multiple environmental benefits, but key global players like governments may be more interested in social outcomes from undertaking restoration, such as job creation. Assessing the job opportunities stemming from ongoing restoration programmes can leverage additional investments for their implementation and support their long‐term maintenance.Here, we aimed to understand and quantify current and potential ecosystem restoration jobs in Brazil, based on a widely distributed online survey performed in 2020 and led by the main restoration networks in the country. We explored the structure, job distribution and outputs of the national restoration supply chain.At the beginning of 2020, 4713 temporary and 3510 permanent jobs were created, nearly 60% of which were generated by organizations specialized in restoration, mainly from the non‐profit (48%) and private (37%) sectors.Restoration jobs were concentrated in organizations working in one (58%) or two (28%) biomes, and the vast majority were in the Atlantic Forest (85%). Similarly, most restoration jobs were concentrated in the southeast region (61%), with one‐third in the state of São Paulo. This geographical distribution was more strongly associated with the states' GDP than with the legal deficit of native vegetation area.Nearly 20% of the restoration jobs were terminated during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020.We estimate that restoration activities can generate 0.42 jobs per hectare undergoing restoration, which could potentially create 1.0–2.5 million direct jobs through the implementation of Brazil's target of restoring 12 million hectares.We conclude by reinforcing the value of ecosystem restoration in promoting economic development and job creation, which can be crucial to promote countries' effective engagement in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. We also highlight the critical role of grassroots organizations to maximize restoration opportunities for socioeconomic development during the post‐pandemic economic recovery. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This work presents an application of the modern portfolio theory (MPT). The United Nations 2030 Agenda of sustainable development goals establishes 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and 169 targets each associated with indicators, integrating the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. This constitutes a complex system to be used by more than 150 countries having different priorities and levels of development. Concerning the 2030 Agenda Goals, MPT can help to define strategies to handle resource allocation problems. In economics, MPT appraises that when choosing a portfolio of assets looking for returns, some investors prefer fewer risks; others accept higher risks. To optimize the countries' path to sustainability, the decision makers may distribute their resources, acting similarly to an investor. In this case, an SDG corresponds to a portfolio and the assets to the indicators associated with a given Goal. Constructing an efficient frontier of optimal portfolios of assets, MPT provides a method to obtain the maximum possible expected returns for a given level of risk and, besides, the risks and expected returns involved in a weighting choice. The present work restricts the analyses to the indicators of Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy), related to energy sustainability, for the five BRICS countries. This choice leads to an ensemble of situations that highlights the applicability of MPT to sustainability. Calculations are presented in detail for Brazil, and a general discussion is presented for the BRICS. The present approach considers the main features of a multi-criteria decision-making method, except the ranking of options by the decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable development has had an important contribution from United Nations across the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Goal 17 is called Partnerships for the Goals and is considered a way to figure out paths to stablish projects that can bring benefits to the environment, society and the economy. One of the purposes is encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of multi-stakeholder partnerships.Considering mining industry, it is possible to observe that social license to operate is one critical issue that is affecting reputation and performance of some companies in Brazil. This is due to some environmental impacts and difficulties to stablish a reasonable relationship with communities around mined areas.The paper presents the results of a multi-stakeholder discussion promoted with the participation of around 50 people from different organizations and civil society related to the mining industry. The initiative identified some opportunities that can make easier the social and legal permits related to the mine projects in Brazil. Some outcomes of the meeting were:• The participants agreed that this is an important initiative for mining sector in Brazil;• It is necessary to work together to make mine projects more inclusive and related to the regional development planning. • With good management and governance, the mine projects have an important structural role in society, contributing to economic and socio-environmental development.• There is a relationship between small-scale and large-scale mines in Brazil. Improvements in sustainability in small-scale mines can benefits large scale ones and vice-versa.• Mining companies in Brazil needs to rely on public policies considering socio-environmental and political aspects in order to ensure a balanced coexistence with the society.• Brazil has a geological setting that can make mine sector stronger than nowadays: mining like a driven of regional sustainable development.The experience in this research demonstrates that the concepts of the Goal 17 can be a strong tool to provide the development of mine sector, since promote partnerships that consider aspects related to the different parts of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)