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The role of cartography in environmentally-sustainable development is twofold: first, useful and usable maps enable sense making and decision making about environmental processes, impacts, and protections; second, maps themselves, as digital tools, can be more energy efficient in minimizing our impact on the environment. In this paper, we elevate this energy awareness as a key design consideration for maps and introduce a novel conceptual framework for considering the carbon footprint of the content, form, and use of maps. We first systematically investigate how specific map design decisions impact the energy consumption of digital devices. We then discuss the possible ways that digital maps can be greener, outlining a series of 'big questions' about the content, form, and use context of maps needing future research to realize greener maps. Finally, we assert that green cartography requires not only novel techniques to design green maps but also greater attention to shaping individual, organizational, and social attitudes towards environmentally-friendly maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concepts like Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) and South – South Cooperation (SSC) have a significant impact on national strategies for international aid. This paper examines India's policy ideas and local practices to explore the contexts of the national implementation of the SDGs for global public well-being. The study approaches these issues through three avenues: the SDG-oriented idealistic view of international aid, the pragmatic lines of the SSC model and the TOSSD framework that bridges those two aspects. In the case of India, we observe a traditional orientation of international aid focused on the SSC model, combined with a tendency of transformation toward the SDGs. The research discusses Indian practice and analyzes the existing barriers to development and their associated policy solutions. This background reflects on the general transition of development strategies in international aid among the BRICS countries and the potential of these countries' future contributions toward global development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to reliable electricity remains a challenge for millions in remote African villages, including Lake Ziway's islands in Ethiopia. This study introduces an integrated electricity system for Tulu Gudo Island, combining floating photovoltaics (FPV), pumped-hydro storage (PHS) and diesel generators (DGEs) to overcome energy constraints, land scarcity and sustainability issues. The study assesses electricity demand and solar-PHS potential using LiDAR-based digital elevation model (DEM) data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). PVsyst and HOMER Pro optimize the system based on net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE) and its ability to support a water-energy-food (W-E-F) nexus approach. An optimized configuration with 32.2 KWp FPV and two PHS units (PH: 245KWh (508KWh)) meets Tulu Gudo Island's energy needs through a cycle charging strategy (CCs). This configuration offers economic and environmental sustainability, with an NPC of $154,265 and a COE of $0.140/KWh, while conserving 8760 m³ of water. It integrates successfully with the W-E-F nexus approach, achieving a 7% increase in electricity generation and a 2.4% higher capacity factor compared to conventional setups. The study validates results through comparisons with other simulation tools, ensuring accuracy. This hybrid electricity system has potential applicability in regions with similar conditions worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many countries are experiencing rapid growth in the small and medium-sized fruit processing sector. This significantly contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), particularly in developing countries. The objective of this study is to employ the Sustainability Performance Assessment (SPA) model in the context of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) through the integration of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and the sustainability index formula. This study examines SMEs in Indonesia that produce fruit chips. Based on the findings of this research, the most important aspects of sustainability are economic, followed by social, technological and environmental. Besides that, it was discovered that the performance of several fruit chip SMEs in Indonesia scored low. Economic performance is considered less (37%: lack of sustainability), while it is poor (not sustainable) in social, technological and environmental aspects, with respective values of (24.38%), (15.09%) and (20.89%). In addition to the presentation of the sustainability performance index, a set of strategic recommendations were formulated to enhance the sustainability performance of SMEs in accordance with their respective sustainability index status. The strategy formulation is classified based on each indicator in the sustainability aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]