Abstract books of the International Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development
type: channel
description: The Abstract Books of the International Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development (ESDCONF) present carefully peer-reviewed research presented at the annual Environment and Sustainable Development conference organized by Proud Pen. This collection captures original work across the field of Environment and Sustainable Development, spanning theoretical frameworks to applied studies. Each volume serves as a reference for ongoing research and study in the discipline.
publisher: ProudPen
language: en
publication name: Abstract books of the International Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development
items: AI-Driven Digital Twin Framework for Water-Sensitive and Climate-Resilient Urban Transformation
items: Exploring Spatial Mismatches Between Public Risk Perception and Flood Exposure to Sea-Level Rise in China's Coastal Provinces
items: Corporate Social Responsibility on Both Shores of the Mediterranean: A Comparative Study Between Spain and Morocco
items: Corporate Criminal Liability for Environmental Offences: A Comparative Analysis between the UK Common Law and the EU Romano-Germanic Legal Systems
items: Comparing Slurry Aeration and Manure Acidification by Life Cycle Assessment
items: Hydrogen as an Educational Tool: Practical Learning for Future Energy Engineers
items: Comparing QSAR Models of Ionic Liquid Toxicity for Different Microorganisms to Design Environmentally Friendly Ionic Liquids and Elucidate Mechanisms of Toxicity
items: Circular Bioeconomy for Sustainable Livestock: Integrated Bioelectrochemical and Microalgal Technologies for Pig Slurry Valorization
items: Climate-Resilient Microalgae-Based CO₂ Capture Systems for Sustainable Urban Environments
items: Methods of implementing circular economy policies in Romania
items: The Relationship Between Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Toward Sustainable Development: A Focus on Responsible Consumption Among Residents in Saudi Arabia - A Cross-Sectional Study
items: Evaluating Environmental Quality Around Meat-Processing Facilities in Port Harcourt: Implications for Sustainable Urban Environmental Management
items: Unveiling Global Trends in Circular Economy Applications in Concrete Demolition Waste: A Bibliometric Synthesis
items: Thermal Degradation and Microstructural Evolution of Crystalline Admixtures and Supplementary Cementitious Materials under Elevated Temperatures
items: Green Hydrogen in the Global South: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Pathways for Just Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
items: Evaluation Of the Effectiveness of Water Treatment and Management Practices in Wupa Water Treatment Plant, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
items: Valorization of Black Cumin and Pumpkin Seed Press Cakes: Comparative Evaluation of Enzymatic and Ultrasound-Assisted Protein and Antioxidant Recovery
items: Geopolitical Risks and the Green Energy Transition: Implications for Energy Security, Legitimacy, and Sustainable Development
items: Natural Resource Rents and Ecological Footprint In BRICS+: The Moderating Role of Regulatory Quality
items: Climate Adaptation to Urban Heat Waves: Lessons from Taipei
items: Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Himalayan Ecosystem Restoration in India
items: Evaluation Of Acetylene Gas Produced by Reaction of Calcium Carbide with Water: Cac2 with H2O Ratio into C2H2 With Unwanted Ca (OH)2
items: The Sustainability Imperative: Lessons from Taiwan’s Thirty-Year Energy Journey
items: A Comprehensive Approach to Ecosystem Services Management: From Alarm to Action
items: Malaysia’s EV Landscape: Where Are We Now?A critical look at current policies, progress, and gaps in the national EV ecosystem
items: Variations in the Conservation Effectiveness of National Nature Reserves across China from the Perspective of Ecosystem Services
items: Drivers of Environmental Effectiveness: Gap Between Organisational and Expert Perspectives
items: Tourist Perception of Thermal Comfort: Foundations for Index Development and Application in Protected Areas
items: Rainwater Harvesting and Sustainability (RWHS) of Recharging the Aquifer and its Effect on Groundwater Chemistry of Wadi Al-Shoar Basin/ E. of Mosul City \ N. of Iraq
items: Decentralized Cooperation as a Tool for Rethinking Sustainable Development and the Triple global Environmental Crisis

AI-Driven Digital Twin Framework for Water-Sensitive and Climate-Resilient Urban Transformation
type: item
description: Urban flooding, dwindling green cover, and the effects of urban heat islands (UHIs) have all increased due to the rapid urbanisation of cities in the Global South, especially in environmentally vulnerable catchment zones. In keeping with the ISDRS 2026 theme of transforming global issues into cooperative sustainability solutions, this study reframes these interrelated crises as possibilities for digitally enabled sustainable change. Using Bhopal, India (1974–2024) as a longitudinal case, the study suggests an integrated AI-driven Urban Digital Twin architecture to predict and optimise flood resilience and green infrastructure design. A multi-layered approach was used: (1) mapping UHI and AI-based green space optimisation scenarios for 2035 and 2050; (2) hydrological modelling using SWMM integrated with Artificial Neural Networks for improved flood prediction; (3) multi-temporal remote sensing and GIS-based Land Use Land Cover and NDVI analysis to quantify urban expansion and vegetation loss; and (4) creating an interactive Digital Twin using Unity and AR/VR for participatory planning and policy simulation. The results show that the built-up area has increased thrice over the past fifty years, and that the frequency of floods is strongly correlated with the substantial loss of open space in important watersheds. When compared to traditional simulations, AI-integrated flood models increased prediction accuracy by about 20%. In high-risk wards, scenario-based green reallocation solutions show the potential to reduce peak surface runoff by up to 22%. Through immersive visualisation, the Digital Twin platform improved stakeholders' comprehension of climate-risk mitigation techniques. The study offers a transdisciplinary, scalable framework that combines immersive technology, artificial intelligence, and water-sensitive urban planning to improve collaborative governance and further SDGs 11, 13, and 15 in the world's fastest-urbanizing regions.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Digital Twin
  topic: keywords
subject: AI
  topic: keywords
subject: Climate Risk
  topic: keywords
subject: Urban Floods
  topic: keywords
subject: Water conservation
  topic: keywords
creator: Prof. Dr. Sheetal Sharma
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Prof. Dr. Sheetal Sharma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Exploring Spatial Mismatches Between Public Risk Perception and Flood Exposure to Sea-Level Rise in China's Coastal Provinces
type: item
description: Sea-level rise (SLR) presents growing environmental and socioeconomic challenges to China's densely populated coastal regions. While scientific assessments have identified areas facing substantial flood exposure, public awareness of these risks may not always align with actual vulnerability. This study examines the spatial relationship between public risk perception and flood exposure across ten coastal provinces and municipalities in China. Approximately 300 Weibo comments related to sea-level rise, flooding, and storm surges were collected and analyzed using Alibaba Cloud's natural language processing model to quantify public risk perception through weighted sentiment scores. Flood exposure was estimated by integrating NASA sea-level rise projections, Global Storm Surge Reconstruction datasets, and population distribution data using Google Earth Engine. Provinces were classified according to median thresholds of public risk perception and flood exposure to identify areas where perceived and actual risks were either aligned or mismatched. The analysis identified two notable cases of perception–exposure mismatch. Guangdong exhibited relatively low public risk perception despite high flood exposure, whereas Liaoning demonstrated comparatively higher public risk perception despite lower flood exposure. These findings demonstrate the potential of integrating social media sentiment analysis with geospatial flood assessment to identify perception gaps and support more targeted climate communication and adaptation planning.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Climate communication
  topic: keywords
subject: China
  topic: keywords
subject: Environmental awareness
  topic: keywords
subject: Risk perception
  topic: keywords
subject: Sea-level rise
  topic: keywords
creator: Zhuoer Zhou
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Zhuoer Zhou (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Corporate Social Responsibility on Both Shores of the Mediterranean: A Comparative Study Between Spain and Morocco
type: item
description: This article presents a comparative analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in Spain and Morocco, two neighboring countries with distinct regulatory frameworks but shared historical, economic, and geopolitical ties. While Spain aligns with European CSR directives like the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Morocco adopts a voluntary approach, relying on mechanisms such as the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) CSR Label. The study, based on qualitative analysis of legal frameworks and CSR practices from 2011 to 2024, explores the evolution of CSR in both European and African contexts. It identifies convergences and divergences in implementation, highlighting Spain’s institutionalized CSR and Morocco’s hybrid model, driven by incentives and less uniform practices. The research contributes to understanding the transferability of CSR models from Europe to emerging economies, emphasizing cross-border collaboration, policy learning, and sustainable development alignment within the Mediterranean region.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Comparative Analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
  topic: keywords
subject: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
  topic: keywords
subject: Spain
  topic: keywords
subject: Morocco
  topic: keywords
creator: Bouchra Tahiri
creator: Eva Vidal, Rochdi Yousra
creator: Loukil Saïd
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Bouchra Tahiri, Eva Vidal, Rochdi Yousra, Loukil Saïd (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Corporate Criminal Liability for Environmental Offences: A Comparative Analysis between the UK Common Law and the EU Romano-Germanic Legal Systems
type: item
description: Corporate criminal liability for environmental offences plays a central role in ensuring effective environmental protection and promoting sustainable development. This paper provides a comparative legal analysis of the approaches adopted by the United Kingdom’s common law system and selected European Union Romano-Germanic legal systems, with particular reference to Germany, France, and Italy. The purpose of the study is to assess how different models of corporate liability address environmental harm and to evaluate their effectiveness in terms of deterrence and compliance. The research methodology is based on a comparative analysis of statutory provisions, relevant case law, and European Union environmental directives influencing national legal frameworks. The analysis demonstrates that the UK model, grounded in the identification doctrine, offers conceptual clarity but faces significant enforcement challenges in complex corporate structures. By contrast, Romano-Germanic systems rely on codified frameworks that emphasize organizational fault and combine criminal, administrative, and civil sanctions, resulting in greater enforcement flexibility. The results indicate that no single model is fully adequate to address contemporary environmental challenges. The paper argues that an optimal framework would integrate elements from both traditions, combining clear attribution of corporate fault with robust regulatory and sanctioning mechanisms. Such a hybrid approach would better serve the objectives of deterrence, accountability, and environmental compliance within the context of EU environmental governance.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: corporate criminal liability
  topic: keywords
subject: environmental offences
  topic: keywords
subject: comparative law
  topic: keywords
subject: EU environmental law
  topic: keywords
subject: corporate accountability
  topic: keywords
creator: Ştefan-Ciprian Raicea
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Ştefan-Ciprian Raicea (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Comparing Slurry Aeration and Manure Acidification by Life Cycle Assessment
type: item
description: Livestock manure poses an immense environmental challenge, contributing to GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions, alongside nutrient losses that can lead to environment impact. Processing this manure into valuable products is needed for achieving sustainable agriculture. This study focuses on Comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), utilizing openLCA software and Ecoinvent database with Europe as the location of the study, to quantify the environmental performance of the untreated manure and compare it with two common treatment technologies which are acidification and aeration. The comparison is standardized across a Functional Unit of 1 tonne of livestock manure as an input of the cradle process. The objective is to compare the system’s cradle to grave impacts, focusing on key environmental impacts, including Global Warming Potential, Acidification Potential, and Eutrophication Potential. The system boundary includes the entire cycle from manure collection through the treatment process to spreading to the field with avoided fertilizer value included. The intended output of this research is to generate quantitative environmental impact results for both acidification and aeration per tonne of manure treated, to identify the main emissions and characterize trade-offs among environmental impacts within each system. The study will also provide sensitivity analysis results that show how key modelling assumptions and parameters influence their comparative performance, and, on this basis, aims to deliver decision support information for policymakers and farm managers to aid in selecting manure management strategies that can reduce overall environmental impacts while remaining practical and applicable under real farming conditions.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Agriculture
  topic: keywords
subject: Emissions
  topic: keywords
subject: Europe
  topic: keywords
subject: Fertilizer
  topic: keywords
subject: Sustainable
  topic: keywords
creator: Bernardus Krisna Brata
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Bernardus Krisna Brata (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Hydrogen as an Educational Tool: Practical Learning for Future Energy Engineers
type: item
description: Hydrogen is expected to play a pivotal role in the decarbonization of industry, energy systems, and transport, creating an urgent need for engineers with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in hydrogen technologies. This work presents an educational methodology designed to enhance undergraduate engineering education through hands-on learning experiences focused on hydrogen production, storage, and utilization. The proposed methodology combines short theoretical sessions with project-based laboratory activities using a complete renewable hydrogen system. The experimental setup integrates photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, a PEM water electrolyser, hydrogen storage devices, and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell connected to a small electric vehicle. Students actively produce renewable hydrogen via water electrolysis, safely store it, and subsequently use it to power the fuel cell vehicle, enabling them to observe the complete energy conversion process from renewable electricity to hydrogen and back to electrical and mechanical energy. During the practical sessions, students analyze system performance, evaluate energy conversion efficiency, and discuss the role of hydrogen technologies in the energy transition. The laboratory activities are complemented by discussions on hydrogen production pathways, industrial applications, safety aspects, and sustainability challenges. This educational approach promotes active learning, increases student motivation, strengthens conceptual understanding, and develops critical thinking regarding the technical, environmental, and economic aspects of hydrogen technologies. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, the proposed methodology prepares future engineers to contribute effectively to the deployment of sustainable hydrogen systems and supports the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: active learning
  topic: keywords
subject: fuel cells
  topic: keywords
subject: hydrogen education
  topic: keywords
subject: renewable energy
  topic: keywords
subject: sustainable engineering
  topic: keywords
creator: E. Iniesta-López
creator: A. Hernández-Fernández
creator: A. Sánchez-Zurano
creator: M. Luisa Hernández
creator: M.A. Sánchez Muñoz
creator: A. Pérez de los Ríos
creator: F.J. Hernández-Fernández
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 E. Iniesta-López, A. Hernández-Fernández, A. Sánchez-Zurano, M. Luisa Hernández, M.A. Sánchez Muñoz, A. Pérez de los Ríos , F.J. Hernández-Fernández (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Comparing QSAR Models of Ionic Liquid Toxicity for Different Microorganisms to Design Environmentally Friendly Ionic Liquids and Elucidate Mechanisms of Toxicity
type: item
description: Ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted considerable attention as promising alternatives to conventional organic solvents because of their negligible vapor pressure, high thermal stability, and tunable physicochemical properties. However, their widespread implementation requires a comprehensive understanding of their potential environmental impacts. This work presents a comparative quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) study aimed at predicting the toxicity of ionic liquids toward three representative aquatic organisms, Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Robust predictive models were developed using molecular descriptors that describe hydrophobicity, molecular size, electronic distribution, and structural characteristics of both cations and anions. The comparison of the models reveals common molecular features governing ecotoxicity while identifying species-specific sensitivity patterns. Hydrophobicity and alkyl chain length were identified as the dominant factors controlling toxicity, supporting the hypothesis that membrane disruption is one of the principal mechanisms of toxic action. The proposed models provide excellent predictive capability while offering mechanistic insights that facilitate the rational design of safer ionic liquids. Beyond toxicity prediction, this approach establishes practical molecular design guidelines that enable the development of environmentally benign ionic liquids without compromising their functional performance. The integration of computational chemistry, artificial intelligence, and green chemistry principles represents an efficient strategy to accelerate the development of sustainable solvents, reducing experimental effort, minimizing costs, and promoting the implementation of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) concepts for future industrial applications.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: artificial intelligence
  topic: keywords
subject: green chemistry
  topic: keywords
subject: ionic liquids
  topic: keywords
subject: QSAR
  topic: keywords
subject: sustainable design
  topic: keywords
creator: J. Hernández-Fernández
creator: E. Iniesta-López
creator: A. Sánchez-Zurano
creator: M.A. Sánchez Muñoz
creator: I. Alfaro Abarca
creator: A.P. de los Ríos
creator: F.J. Hernández-Fernández
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 J. Hernández-Fernández, E. Iniesta-López, A. Sánchez-Zurano, M.A. Sánchez Muñoz, I. Alfaro Abarca, A.P. de los Ríos , F.J. Hernández-Fernández (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Circular Bioeconomy for Sustainable Livestock: Integrated Bioelectrochemical and Microalgal Technologies for Pig Slurry Valorization
type: item
description: The increasing environmental impact of intensive livestock production requires innovative technologies capable of simultaneously reducing pollution, recovering valuable resources, and contributing to climate-neutral agricultural systems. This study presents an integrated circular bioeconomy approach that combines microbial fuel cells (MFCs) equipped with ionic-liquid-based proton exchange membranes and microalgae-bacteria (MB) consortia for the sustainable valorization of raw pig slurry. The process consists of a two-stage treatment in which high-strength pig slurry is first processed in a single-chamber microbial fuel cell, where organic matter is partially removed while renewable bioelectricity is generated. The pretreated effluent is subsequently cultivated in microalgae-bacteria photobioreactors to recover nutrients as valuable biomass and produce a cleaner effluent suitable for further reuse. Unlike conventional MFC systems based on PFAS-containing membranes, the proposed technology employs a non-perfluorinated ionic-liquid membrane, contributing to the development of more sustainable electrochemical treatment systems. The integrated process achieved more than 50% chemical oxygen demand removal during the bioelectrochemical stage while simultaneously producing electricity. The subsequent biological stage recovered more than 99% of ammonium, 78–87% of total nitrogen, 61–70% of phosphate, and up to 72% of residual organic matter, while producing microalgal biomass with productivities comparable to conventional fertilizer-based cultures. Overall, the combined system demonstrated efficient conversion of livestock waste into renewable energy, biomass, recovered nutrients, and treated water. These results highlight the potential of integrated bioelectrochemical–microalgal platforms as nature-based circular solutions for sustainable livestock management. Beyond wastewater treatment, the proposed technology contributes to greenhouse gas mitigation, nutrient recycling, …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: circular bioeconomy
  topic: keywords
subject: microbial fuel cells
  topic: keywords
subject: microalgae
  topic: keywords
subject: pig slurry
  topic: keywords
subject: nutrient recovery
  topic: keywords
subject: sustainable agriculture
  topic: keywords
creator: E. Iniesta‑López
creator: A. Hernández Fernández
creator: M.A. Sánchez Muñoz
creator: I. Alfaro Abarca
creator: A. Sánchez-Zurano
creator: F.J. Hernández Fernández
creator: A. Pérez de los Ríos
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 E. Iniesta‑López, A. Hernández Fernández, M.A. Sánchez Muñoz, I. Alfaro Abarca, A. Sánchez-Zurano, F.J. Hernández Fernández, A. Pérez de los Ríos (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Climate-Resilient Microalgae-Based CO₂ Capture Systems for Sustainable Urban Environments
type: item
description: Microalgae-based carbon capture has emerged as a sustainable alternative for mitigating atmospheric CO₂ emissions while simultaneously generating valuable biomass. However, the long-term performance of outdoor photobioreactors strongly depends on environmental conditions, particularly seasonal temperature fluctuations. This work evaluates the resilience of a native Scenedesmus sp. strain cultivated in a 50 L bubble-column photobioreactor designed for future integration into urban infrastructure for passive atmospheric CO₂ capture. The photobioreactor was operated under controlled climatic conditions simulating representative spring, extreme summer, and winter environments. Temperature, light intensity, and photoperiod were reproduced using a climatic chamber, while algal growth was monitored through optical density, cell counting, dry biomass, elemental carbon analysis, and physicochemical parameters throughout long-term operation. The system was designed to operate with minimal maintenance, without pH adjustment or medium replacement, reproducing realistic outdoor operating conditions. Results demonstrated continuous cultivation for more than 60 days under spring conditions and approximately 75 days under extreme summer temperatures despite an initial thermal shock. Biomass concentrations reached 1.04 and 0.68 g L⁻¹ under spring and summer conditions, respectively, confirming the high thermal tolerance of the native strain. In contrast, temperatures below 10 °C resulted in culture failure, indicating the need for a low-energy heating strategy during winter operation. The proposed semi-autonomous system demonstrates the feasibility of integrating native microalgae into urban CO₂ capture devices capable of operating under Mediterranean climatic conditions. These findings contribute to the development of climate-resilient nature-based solutions that combine carbon capture, biomass production, and sustainable urban infrastructure, supporting future low-carbon cities an…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: carbon capture
  topic: keywords
subject: climate resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: microalgae
  topic: keywords
subject: photobioreactor
  topic: keywords
subject: sustainable cities
  topic: keywords
creator: Y. Garrido
creator: J. Quesada-Medina
creator: J.D. Sánchez
creator: A. Sánchez-Zurano
creator: E. Iniesta-López
creator: M.A. Sánchez Muñoz
creator: A. Hernández-Fernández
creator: I. Alfaro Abarca
creator: A. Pérez de los Ríos
creator: F.J. Hernández-Fernández
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Y. Garrido, J. Quesada-Medina, J.D. Sánchez, A. Sánchez-Zurano, E. Iniesta-López, M.A. Sánchez Muñoz, A. Hernández-Fernández, I. Alfaro Abarca, A. Pérez de los Ríos, F.J. Hernández-Fernández (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Methods of implementing circular economy policies in Romania
type: item
description: Romania has made significant progress in the transition to a circular economy, moving from simple concepts to the implementation of national systems and a clear legislative framework. Circular economy practices in Romania have mixed results, with major success in packaging collection, but also slow progress in municipal waste management. For our country to surpass the current circularity level of 1.3% and reach over 12%, the European average, essential structural improvements are needed. Research in the field of circular economy has evolved from theoretical studies to applied analyses on specific economic sectors, using combinations of academic methodologies and public monitoring tools. The main research methods include: documentary and policy analysis; quantitative methods and monitoring indicators; sector studies and applied research; participatory and innovation methods. Their main purpose is to substantiate the transition from the linear to the circular economic model, providing a database for political and economic decisions. In essence, the research aims to: identify obstacles (Gap Analysis); prioritize sectors; resource efficiency and cost reduction; methods aimed at changing consumer behavior; and substantiation of action plans.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: circular economy
  topic: keywords
subject: recycling
  topic: keywords
subject: industrial symbiosis
  topic: keywords
subject: eco-design
  topic: keywords
creator: Andreea Cozea
creator: Manea Gheorghe Cosmin
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Andreea Cozea, Manea Gheorghe Cosmin (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

The Relationship Between Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Toward Sustainable Development: A Focus on Responsible Consumption Among Residents in Saudi Arabia - A Cross-Sectional Study
type: item
description: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12) aims to promote sustainable public procurement practices, encourage adopting sustainable practices, reduce waste generation, and ensure that people have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development in harmony with nature. In Saudi Arabia, reinforce awareness and engagement in responsible consumption is crucial to achieving national sustainability objectives. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aims to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding responsible consumption among residents in urban areas of Saudi Arabia like Dammam City. The data collected through structures questionnaire based on prior literature from 864 residents from Dammam City, the respondents were selected randomly through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data was analyzed by using JAMOVI version 2.7.5 and Openepi. The results show that 84.8% of residents have a high knowledge regarding responsible consumption, and 88.8% exhibited positive attitudes, however, 30.1% of residents displayed low level of responsible consumption practices. These findings highlights a significant gap between knowledge and attitude and actual practices, more likely due to structural barriers. This indicates that residents of Dammam have a high awareness level and positive attitudes toward responsible consumption; is not translated into consistent, sustainable, responsible consumption practices. Furthermore, policy interventions, Infrastructure support, and community engagement initiatives are recommended to bridge the gap between awareness and action, thereby fostering responsible consumption at both individual and community levels.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Attitudes
  topic: keywords
subject: Consumption
  topic: keywords
subject: Development
  topic: keywords
subject: Knowledge
  topic: keywords
subject: Sustainable Practices
  topic: keywords
creator: Mazen Alqahtani
creator: Saleh Alhanot
creator: Ahmed AlNajrani
creator: Khalil Alsabaan
creator: Shadi Alomary
creator: Saad Alghamdi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Mazen Alqahtani, Saleh Alhanot, Ahmed AlNajrani, Khalil Alsabaan, Shadi Alomary, Saad Alghamdi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Evaluating Environmental Quality Around Meat-Processing Facilities in Port Harcourt: Implications for Sustainable Urban Environmental Management
type: item
description: Pollution and environmental contamination are recognised as pervasive threats to global health and wellbeing. Globally, the pollution burden contributes approximately 35% to mortality while disproportionately affecting the quality of life of populations in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. Abattoirs and other food processing facilities represent significant but often overlooked sources of heavy metal contamination. Hence, this study assessed soil pollution using Contamination Factor (CF), Degree of Contamination (Cd), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) in three major abattoirs (Rumuokoro, Mile 3, and Choba) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Three soil samples (500g) per site were collected between 0-15cm monthly from each abattoir and a residential control site between July and December 2025. Samples were digested with HNO₃ and analysed for Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Copper (Cu) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Lead CF values ranged from 0.282–0.567 at the abattoirs compared with 0.029 at the control site. Cadmium showed the highest contamination, with CF values of 1.735–3.766 versus 0.613 at the control. Chromium (0.076–0.107), nickel (0.625–0.949), and copper (0.512–2.081) exhibited variable contamination levels. Degrees of contamination were 6.660, 12.897, and 3.234 for Rumuokoro, Mile 3, and Choba, respectively, compared with 1.304 at the control site. Pollution load indices were 0.750, 0.994, and 0.482 for Rumuokoro, Mile 3, and Choba, respectively, and 0.157 for the control. Most metals indicated low to moderate contamination; however, cadmium exhibited moderate contamination at Rumuokoro and very high contamination at Mile 3. Overall contamination was very low at Rumuokoro and the control site, moderate at Choba, and very high at Mile 3. Cadmium contamination at Mile 3 poses a potential occupational and public health risk, highlighting the need for stronger regulatory enforcement, …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Heavy metal contamination
  topic: keywords
subject: Abattoir soil pollution
  topic: keywords
subject: Contamination Factor
  topic: keywords
subject: Pollution Load Index
  topic: keywords
subject: Geo-accumulaation Index
  topic: keywords
creator: Ayomikun Dada
creator: Dr. Numbere, A.O
creator: Prof. Gbarakoro, T.N
creator: Emoyoma, Oghenovoh Udi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Ayomikun Dada, Dr. Numbere, A.O, Prof. Gbarakoro, T.N, Emoyoma, Oghenovoh Udi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Unveiling Global Trends in Circular Economy Applications in Concrete Demolition Waste: A Bibliometric Synthesis
type: item
description: The construction industry generates substantial volumes of concrete demolition waste (CDW), posing significant environmental and resource management challenges. In response, the circular economy (CE) has emerged as a transformative paradigm promoting reuse, recycling, and closed-loop systems. Despite increasing scholarly interest, circular economy in concrete demolition waste management (CE-CDWM) remains fragmented across materials engineering, waste management and sustainability research. This study presents a bibliometric synthesis of global research on circular economy applications in concrete demolition waste to map prevailing trends, knowledge structures and strategic research gaps. A total of 163 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025 were analysed using VOSviewer and guided by PRISMA and PICOSS frameworks. Findings show that CE-CDWM is organised around five thematic clusters comprising recycled aggregate concrete, life cycle assessment, durability and mechanical performance, upcycling and waste management. Influential work has shifted from aggregate substitution towards waste hierarchy, industrial symbiosis, life cycle costing, carbon mineralisation and digital traceability. However, research remains largely material centred, with limited attention to reuse before recycling, selective demolition, circular procurement, quality certification, regional life cycle data and developing economy contexts. The study argues that CE-CDWM has advanced from technical feasibility towards systems thinking but has not yet matured into a fully integrated circular concrete systems paradigm.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Circular Economy
  topic: keywords
subject: Concrete Demolition Waste
  topic: keywords
subject: Construction Waste Management
  topic: keywords
subject: Bibliometric Analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Recycled Concrete Aggregate
  topic: keywords
subject: VOSviewer
  topic: keywords
creator: Stephen Kwofie
creator: Oluwabukunmi Ogunsanya
creator: Hsein Kew
creator: Sa'Id Ahmed
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Stephen Kwofie, Oluwabukunmi Ogunsanya, Hsein Kew, Sa'Id Ahmed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Thermal Degradation and Microstructural Evolution of Crystalline Admixtures and Supplementary Cementitious Materials under Elevated Temperatures
type: item
description: The thermal stability of cementitious materials is fundamental to fire safety, post-fire structural integrity, and the long-term sustainability of the built environment. This study investigates the thermal stability and microstructural evolution of Ordinary Portland Cement (CEM II), Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), nano-silica and four crystalline admixtures used in Self-healing concrete production. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), furnace exposure tests and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were conducted at temperatures ranging from 100°C and 1000°C at an interval of 100°C to assess mass loss, functional group evolution and residual microstructural integrity. Results show that cement, GGBS, and nano-silica exhibit minimal mass loss and maintain matrix integrity across the investigated temperatures, indicating high thermal stability. SEM observations confirm limited microstructural degradation and preservation of hydration products. In contrast, crystalline admixtures demonstrate formulation-dependent thermal behaviour. One formulation retained higher residual mass and showed delayed microstructural deterioration, while the remaining three displayed earlier decomposition and progressive structural damage with increasing temperature. Overall, the findings highlight significant differences in thermal resistance among SCMs, nanomaterials and crystalline admixtures. The incorporation of SCMs and nano-silica may improve high-temperature performance, while crystalline admixture performance is highly dependent on formulation. The study provides insights into material selection for thermally resilient and potentially self-healing cementitious systems and highlights the need for further investigation into long-term thermal stability mechanisms. This study provides material-level understanding critical for developing thermally resilient, self-healing cementitious systems, directly supporting the design of durable,…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: high-temperature exposure
  topic: keywords
subject: crystalline admixture
  topic: keywords
subject: supplementary cementitious materials (SCMS)
  topic: keywords
subject: thermal stability
  topic: keywords
subject: Fire tests
  topic: keywords
creator: Fahad ul Rehman Abro
creator: Naveed Alam
creator: Faisal Manzoor
creator: Ali Nadjai
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Fahad ul Rehman Abro, Naveed Alam, Faisal Manzoor, Ali Nadjai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Green Hydrogen in the Global South: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Pathways for Just Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
type: item
description: Green hydrogen is increasingly positioned as a strategic pathway for accelerating energy transition, industrial decarbonization, and advancing sustainable development. For countries in the Global South, it presents significant opportunities to leverage abundant renewable energy sources, diversify export portfolios, attract climate finance, and foster low-carbon industrialization in hard-to-abate sectors such as fertilizer, steel, shipping and heavy transport. However, these opportunities are accompanied by substantial challenges and deep uncertainties. Emerging expansion of green hydrogen projects may reproduce historical extractive trade patterns that create export-oriented enclave economies, exacerbate inequalities, intensify water and land pressures, and limiting local value creation. Furthermore, challenges related to energy access, environmental sustainability, financial constraints, and technological obsolescence raise critical questions about whether green hydrogen development in the Global South align with principles of just energy transition and broader sustainable development goals. This paper asks: (1) What opportunities does green hydrogen offer for industrial transformation and economic diversification? (2) What environmental, social, and economic risks may emerge from its deployment? (3) Which policy frameworks and governance mechanisms are needed to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes? Drawing on recent academic and policy literature, the paper critically examines opportunities, risks, and trade-offs of green hydrogen development in Global South. It argues that green hydrogen should be embedded within integrated national development strategies rather than treated solely as a commodity for global decarbonisation. The paper concludes that equitable governance and strategic policy design are essential for ensuring that green hydrogen contributes meaningfully to sustainable development in the Global South.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: climate justice
  topic: keywords
subject: decarbonisation
  topic: keywords
subject: extractivism
  topic: keywords
subject: global energy transition
  topic: keywords
subject: green economy
  topic: keywords
creator: Israel Shuramu Aga
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Israel Shuramu Aga (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Evaluation Of the Effectiveness of Water Treatment and Management Practices in Wupa Water Treatment Plant, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
type: item
description: The assessment of water treatment and management practices is crucial in ensuring the delivery of safe and clean drinking water to population. This study evaluates the effectiveness of water treatment practices at the Wupa Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. The research aims to identify the quality of treated water, the challenges faced during water treatment, and the overall efficiency of the management practices in the plant. Data were collected from water samples taken at various stages of the treatment process, including raw water, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and final distribution points. Key parameters analyzed include turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), residual chlorine, and microbial contamination. The results indicate that while the treatment processes significantly reduced turbidity and microbial content, there were occasional failures in maintaining adequate chlorine residuals, which led to inconsistencies in water quality. Furthermore, operational challenges such as equipment malfunction, inconsistent power supply, and inadequate maintenance were identified as major impediments to optimal treatment performance. Despite these challenges, the study highlights the plant’s ability to meet national water quality standards most of the time. The findings suggest that improving operational efficiency, enhancing staff training, and investing in more sustainable energy sources could significantly improve the performance of the WWTP. This research provides insights into the challenges and opportunities for improving water treatment processes and management practices, which can contribute to ensuring access to safe drinking water for the population in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Challenges
  topic: keywords
subject: Efficiency
  topic: keywords
subject: Malfunction
  topic: keywords
subject: Maintenance
  topic: keywords
subject: Quality
  topic: keywords
creator: Muhammadu Alkali
creator: S.A Ekpo
creator: I.M Sagir
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammadu Alkali, S.A Ekpo, I.M Sagir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Valorization of Black Cumin and Pumpkin Seed Press Cakes: Comparative Evaluation of Enzymatic and Ultrasound-Assisted Protein and Antioxidant Recovery
type: item
description: In this study, protein and antioxidant recovery from cold-pressed black cumin (Nigella sativa) and pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) press cakes was evaluated using enzymatic extraction (EE) and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction (EE-UAE) within a green extraction framework. Oilseed press cakes, often underutilized despite their high protein and bioactive compound content, represent a promising resource for sustainable valorization. Pumpkin seed press cake exhibited a composition of 7% moisture, 6% ash, 53% protein, 7% fat, and 18% carbohydrates, confirming its strong potential as a protein-rich by-product. Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in a process yield of approximately 34% (w/w) after freeze-drying, indicating effective recovery of soluble components. However, this value represents total dry matter recovery, and precise protein recovery will depend on the protein content of the hydrolysates, which is currently under analysis. The combined effect of enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasound facilitated matrix disruption and enhanced the release of bioactive compounds. Although comparative numerical results between EE and EE-UAE are still under evaluation, the obtained yield confirms the feasibility of producing protein-rich hydrolysates from oilseed residues. Previous studies report that enzymatic hydrolysis enhances the release of bound phenolics and bioactive peptides, while ultrasound improves extraction efficiency through cell disruption and mass transfer, increasing protein recovery and antioxidant capacity (Chemat et al., 2017; Görgüç et al., 2019; Sert et al., 2022). This study aims to validate these improvements and support the sustainable valorization of oilseed processing by-products.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Black cumin press cake
  topic: keywords
subject: pumpkin seed press cake
  topic: keywords
subject: enzymatic extraction
  topic: keywords
subject: ultrasound-assisted extraction
  topic: keywords
subject: Alcalase
  topic: keywords
subject: protein recovery
  topic: keywords
subject: antioxidant activity
  topic: keywords
subject: green extraction
  topic: keywords
subject: life cycle assessment
  topic: keywords
creator: Selin Arslan
creator: Neslihan Çolak
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Selin Arslan, Neslihan Çolak (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Geopolitical Risks and the Green Energy Transition: Implications for Energy Security, Legitimacy, and Sustainable Development
type: item
description: The paper examines how contemporary geopolitical tensions shape the green energy transition through social, political, and institutional dynamics rather than purely economic mechanisms. Focusing on the Russia—Ukraine war and the Iran conflict as critical geopolitical shocks, the study explores how disruptions to energy systems are translated into policy responses, public narratives, and questions of justice and legitimacy. Drawing on contemporary policy analysis, international reports, and emerging interdisciplinary literature, the paper adopts a comparative study approach to analyze how states and societies respond to energy insecurity. It develop a conceptual framework linking geopolitical risks to three interrelated dimensions: (1) energy security and sovereignty, where governments seek to reduce dependency on external actors through renewable energy expansion; (2), social legitimacy and public support, where rising energy costs and security narratives influence citizen attitudes toward the transition; and (3) environmental justice and distributional outcomes, where the burdens and benefits of rapid transition polices are unevenly distributed across regions and social groups. The analysis suggests that geopolitical shocks can both accelerate renewable energy adoption—by strengthening security driven policy commitments—and generate social tensions when affordability and fairness concerns are not adequately addressed. The paper contributes to debates on sustainable development by demonstrating that the success of the green transition depends not only on technological changes, but also on governance, institutional capacity, and public trust. It concludes that resilient energy transitions require integrating energy security with social justice and inclusive policy designs, particularly in an era of recurring geopolitical instability.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: dependency
  topic: keywords
subject: energy governance
  topic: keywords
subject: environmental justice
  topic: keywords
subject: geopolitical instability
  topic: keywords
subject: green technologies
  topic: keywords
creator: Israel Shuramu Aga
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Israel Shuramu Aga (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Natural Resource Rents and Ecological Footprint In BRICS+: The Moderating Role of Regulatory Quality
type: item
description: Resource-rich economies often face a trade-off between expanding economic wealth and maintaining environmental sustainability. Although the resource rents–environment nexus has been widely studied, the moderating role of regulatory quality remains underexplored, particularly in the context of the expanded BRICS+ following the admission of new members. This study therefore examines the impact of NRR on ecological footprint and evaluates how regulatory quality shapes this relationship using annual data from 2002–2021. The second-generation tests including Cross-Sectional Dependence and Slope Homogeneity tests, then the Augmented Mean Group (AMG), FMOLS and DOLS were employed for the analysis. The results reveal that NRR significantly reduces ecological footprint, and this beneficial effect is strengthened in the presence of higher regulatory quality, suggesting that stronger institutions enhance the environmental benefits of resource revenues. Conversely, economic growth increases environmental pressure, while renewable energy and regulatory quality show limited effects. These findings highlight the importance of strong governance in resource-rich economies. Accordingly, BRICS+ governments should strengthen institutional capacity and channel resource rents toward green investments, such as renewable energy, clean technologies, and conservation programs, while prioritizing innovation and low-carbon strategies supported by effective regulation to achieve sustainable development.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: environmental sustainability
  topic: keywords
subject: economic expansion
  topic: keywords
subject: climate change
  topic: keywords
subject: environmental degradation
  topic: keywords
subject: resource-rich economies
  topic: keywords
creator: Temitayo Blessing Majekodunmi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Temitayo Blessing Majekodunmi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Climate Adaptation to Urban Heat Waves: Lessons from Taipei
type: item
description: Climate change has increased the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves worldwide, posing growing challenges for urban sustainability and public health. High-density cities are particularly vulnerable because of urban heat island effects, limited ventilation, extensive impervious surfaces, and uneven adaptive capacities among communities. Taipei, a densely populated subtropical metropolis, has experienced increasing heat stress associated with both climate change and rapid urbanization. This paper examines Taipei's efforts to adapt to heat waves through a qualitative policy-analysis and case-study approach. The study analyzes major challenges facing the city, including rising temperatures, urban heat island effects, social vulnerability, and governance constraints. It further discusses key adaptation strategies, including urban greening and blue infrastructure, heat-health warning systems, climate-sensitive urban planning, community-based adaptation, and cross-sector governance coordination. Taipei has increasingly adopted an integrated approach that combines environmental management, public health protection, urban planning, and community engagement. However, challenges remain regarding population aging, unequal access to cooling resources and green space, occupational heat exposure, and long-term governance demands. Taipei's experience demonstrates that effective heat-wave adaptation requires coordinated actions across environmental, social, health, and institutional systems. The lessons identified may provide useful insights for other high-density cities facing increasing climate-related heat risks.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: climate adaptation
  topic: keywords
subject: heat waves
  topic: keywords
subject: Taipei
  topic: keywords
subject: nature-based solutions
  topic: keywords
subject: urban heat island
  topic: keywords
creator: Sai-Leung Ng
creator: Yu-Chieh Hsieh
creator: Chih-Yuan Chen
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Sai-Leung Ng, Yu-Chieh Hsieh, Chih-Yuan Chen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Himalayan Ecosystem Restoration in India
type: item
description: Himalayan ecosystem in India is highly vulnerable to climate change, face glacier retreat, biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and livelihood challenges. Indigenous and local communities in these hilly regions possess rich Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) systems developed over the years. These include sustainable forest management, rotational grazing, indigenous agroforestry, water conservation techniques, and seasonal climate forecast that support adaptation in fragile environments. The study explores the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with modern scientific approaches for sustainable development. Through in-depth interview with Gujjar, Bakarwal, Pahari, Bhotiya, and local communities in hilly regions along with participatory field observations, the research proven that traditional practices improve biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and community resilience. The findings show that TEK strengthens environmental conservation efforts which include habitat restoration and environment management, through promotion of ecological equity by empowerment of historically marginalized groups that are often excluded from policy processes. The study proposes a co-management framework that bridges indigenous wisdom with contemporary adaptation strategies that offers scalable and culturally appropriate solutions for ecosystem restoration, sustainable tourism, and natural resource governance in vulnerable mountain landscapes. Through centred on indigenous voices and experiential community-based practices, this research provides valuable insights for equitable sustainable development and emphasizes the critical role of traditional ecological knowledge to build long-term resilience amid rapid environmental change.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Community-based Conservation
  topic: keywords
subject: Environment Adaptation
  topic: keywords
subject: Mountain Biodiversity
  topic: keywords
subject: Sustainability
  topic: keywords
subject: Sustainable Land Management
  topic: keywords
creator: Gurashish Kour
creator: Dikshpreet Singh
creator: Prof. Asit K. Mantry
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Gurashish Kour, Dikshpreet Singh, Prof. Asit K. Mantry (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Evaluation Of Acetylene Gas Produced by Reaction of Calcium Carbide with Water: Cac2 with H2O Ratio into C2H2 With Unwanted Ca (OH)2
type: item
description: Herein, the ratios that positively affect the production of acetylene (C2H2) gas, such as the calcium carbide (CaC2) ratio and water (H2O) ratio were determined. The combustion process resulting from C2H2 gas with oxygen (O2) gas was evaluated. In this experiment 1 kg of CaC2 was putted with 3, 4, and 5 litters of H2O in a ratio of (1/3, 1/4, and 1/5) solid to liquid. This process was carried out using a (40 liters) Chinese-made reactor with a locally filled oxygen cylinder with a capacity of (50 litter). Acetylene gas was produced by the simultaneous reaction. This process was evaluations via (solid yield, high heating values (HHV), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)). This work will contribute to obtaining ideal C2H2 gas, which will lead to better combustion and reduce harmful gas emissions.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Calcium carbide
  topic: keywords
subject: calcium hydroxide
  topic: keywords
subject: acetylene gas
  topic: keywords
subject: high heating value
  topic: keywords
creator: Barazan Ibrahim Ali
creator: Mahmod A. Abdulqader
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Barazan Ibrahim Ali, Mahmod A. Abdulqader (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

The Sustainability Imperative: Lessons from Taiwan’s Thirty-Year Energy Journey
type: item
description: In 1995, Taiwan was characterized by a "grow now, clean up later" philosophy, where rapid economic ascent as an "Asian Tiger" came at the cost of severe environmental degradation. Thirty years later, Taiwan has pivoted from prioritized energy-intensive industrialization to a mandated 2050 Net-Zero Emissions goal. This paper provides a longitudinal analysis of Taiwan’s energy trajectory, bridging historical developmental critiques with contemporary strategic imperatives. The study examines the decoupling of GDP growth from carbon emissions, navigating the "Middle-Income Trap of Energy" where fossil fuel dependency threatens long-term sustainability. Central to this transition is the "Silicon Shield" dilemma: the challenge of maintaining global semiconductor dominance while meeting the increasing, stable-power demands of high-tech manufacturing through renewable sources. By evaluating the "12 Key Strategies" of the 2023 Climate Change Response Act—including the phase-out of nuclear power and the aggressive expansion of offshore wind—this paper identifies the governance frameworks and economic and social trade-offs necessary for a successful transition. The findings suggest that Taiwan’s experience serves as a critical case study for island-based economies balancing national security, economic competitiveness and climate responsibility.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Taiwan
  topic: keywords
subject: Energy Transition
  topic: keywords
subject: Net-Zero 2050
  topic: keywords
subject: Sustainable Development
  topic: keywords
subject: Semiconductor Industry
  topic: keywords
subject: Climate Change Response Act
  topic: keywords
subject: Offshore Wind
  topic: keywords
subject: Decarbonization
  topic: keywords
creator: Trevor J. Price
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Trevor J. Price (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

A Comprehensive Approach to Ecosystem Services Management: From Alarm to Action
type: item
description: This paper examines how to develop a reasonable contractual proposition for a society to coop-erate fairly in the interest of a common ecosystem. It recognises that no society is entirely free from political realities or the costs involved in maintaining social order. As a result, ideal propo-sitions of social cooperation, such as John Rawls’s The Law of Peoples, remain incomplete when considering practical application. We introduce the Commonwealth Cost of Carbon, as a new Ecosystem Performance Observation that measures how much societies spend to maintain order relative to their total activity. This ratio provides a transparent and replicable way to assess global ecosystem performance without relying on expert computing resources or privileged infor-mation. Over just twenty years, this cost increased from ∼2000$65 to ∼2020$140 per tonne of CO2e, suggesting both a decline in ecosystem performance and a rising social value for emission reduction. Building on this indicator, we propose the Commonwealth of Peoples as a new trade association, that translates moral duty into service performance. Here, a complementary Service Rating is introduced, serving as a cost–benefit ratio that benchmarks how industrialised is a habitat. Together, these tools provide a performance-based foundation of ecosystem governance that provides an assured approach to move a society from alarm to action.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Ecosystem Performance
  topic: keywords
subject: Ecological Economics
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Contract
  topic: keywords
subject: Trade Associa-tion
  topic: keywords
subject: Service Performance Marketing
  topic: keywords
creator: Aidan T. Parkinson
creator: Andreea M. Benu
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Aidan T. Parkinson, Andreea M. Benu (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-07-14
publication date: 2026-07-14

Malaysia’s EV Landscape: Where Are We Now?A critical look at current policies, progress, and gaps in the national EV ecosystem
type: item
description: As Malaysia positions itself at the forefront of the global green transition, the adoption of Electric Vehicle (EV) has become a cornerstone of its strategy to reduce carbon emissions and foster sustainable growth. Policies such as the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020, the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 (NEP) and the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021-2023 (LCMB), underpin the nation’s commitment to decarbonisation and its ambition to become a regional leader in energy-efficient vehicles. Malaysia is well positioned to capitalize on the EV mobility wave as it is a mature semiconductor manufacturing hub and a home-grown car industry. Malaysia as a major Oil and Gas Producer has cheap fuel for its population which is a dampener for EV adoption. However, the move to remove diesel subsidies will give EVs a boost. EV adoption is popular in places which has a density of charging stations and good post-sale maintenance support. This paper as such uses secondary data to uncover four policy elements related to enhance EV adoption in Malaysia. Those are : 1) Purchase Incentives and Fiscal Measures - Tax exemptions and reductions; Road tax exemptions; Individual Income Tax Relief; Incentives for Local Manufacturing ; 2) Development of Charging Infrastructure - Public Charging Network Expansion; Private charging Infrastructure; Standardization and Interoperability; 3) Support for the EV Industry and Supply Chain - Investment in Local Manufacturing; Technology Transfer and R & D; Skilled Workforce Development; and 4) Addressing Consumer Concerns - Public Awareness Campaigns; Addressing Range Anxiety; Making EVs Affordable. These policy elements need to be addressed in order to enable EVs to account for 15% of the total industry volume (TIV) by 2030 and 80% by 2050, in alignment with the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB) and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: EV
  topic: keywords
subject: carbon emissions
  topic: keywords
subject: fiscal measures
  topic: keywords
subject: charging infrastructure
  topic: keywords
creator: Thirunaukarasu Subramaniam
creator: Marini Nurbanum Mohamad
creator: Kogila Balakrishnan
creator: Hamid Moradlou
creator: Zakiah Syamra' binti Suhaimi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Thirunaukarasu Subramaniam, Marini Nurbanum Mohamad, Kogila Balakrishnan, Hamid Moradlou, Zakiah Syamra' binti Suhaimi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-24
publication date: 2025-09-24
starting page: 16
ending page: 16

Variations in the Conservation Effectiveness of National Nature Reserves across China from the Perspective of Ecosystem Services
type: item
description: The establishment of nature reserves (NRs) played a vital role in the protection of specific species and ecosystem services (ESs). Most previous studies have examined the effectiveness of protection from the perspective of ESs in a single type of nature reserve. In contrast, few studies have evaluated the protective efficacy of NRs at a national scale and compared the differences in performance among different types of NRs. Therefore, it remains unclear whether all types of NRs are effective in conserving ESs and how their protective effectiveness varies. In this study, we estimated and compared the variations in ESs by measuring ecosystem service values (ESV) across 411 national NRs in China, both considering nine typical types of NRs and their functional zones: core, buffer, and experimental zones. The results showed that: The ESV of NRs followed a non-linear trend, initially decreasing and subsequently increasing. Notably, the ESV per unit displayed a distinct spatial gradient, with higher values decreasing first and then increasing. The ESV per unit presented a spatial pattern with high values in the east and lower values in the west. Compared with forest ecosystem NRs, ocean coastal, inland wetland, and wildlife NRs demonstrated superior efficacy in safeguarding ESs. Furthermore, the decline in ESV within the core, buffer, and experimental zones of NRs has been notably mitigated, with a marked improvement observed after 2010. Our findings also highlight a strong synergistic relationship among different ecosystem services within these NRs. By quantifying the protective effectiveness of various NRs, this study provides a scientific basis for optimizing future formulations targeted at protection and the sustainable management of ecosystem services in China's NRs.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: conservation effectiveness
  topic: keywords
subject: nature reserves and functional zones
  topic: keywords
subject: ecosystem services
  topic: keywords
subject: trade-offs and synergies
  topic: keywords
subject: China
  topic: keywords
creator: Xiaowei Yao
creator: Jie Zen
creator: Jianhua Wu
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Xiaowei Yao, Jie Zen, Jianhua Wu (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-24
publication date: 2025-09-24
starting page: 15
ending page: 15

Drivers of Environmental Effectiveness: Gap Between Organisational and Expert Perspectives
type: item
description: This manuscript investigates the perceived impact of factors in four categories (economic, legal, social, and organisational) on the environmental effectiveness of organisations. The paper compares the views of academic experts with the views of business practitioners (representatives of organisations). The findings reveal a gap between theory and practice. Academic experts tend to adopt a more critical, systemic perspective, identifying significant barriers to environmental performance. In contrast, organisational representatives, rooted in operational realities, evaluate these same factors as generally supportive or neutral. The largest discrepancies appear in the legal and social categories. While businesses perceive regulatory frameworks and societal expectations as strong enablers (stimulating factors), experts highlight weak enforcement, fragmented legislation, and limited public pressure as major inhibitors. In the economic category, businesses emphasise investor demands and cost drivers, whereas experts stress the lack of systemic incentives and awareness of long-term financial benefits. Interestingly, both groups agree on the positive influence of internal organisational capabilities, stakeholder engagement and leadership. These contrasting perceptions were summarised across all four categories, revealing that experts more frequently highlight barriers and systemic deficiencies, whereas businesses tend to focus on existing strengths and enabling conditions. This disconnect may reflect a deeper dual cognitive trap. Organisations may fall into a “knowledge trap,” overestimating their environmental performance due to limited awareness of broader requirements or risks. Meanwhile, experts may fall into a “practicality trap,” overemphasising structural imperfections while underestimating the adaptive learning that comes from implementation. This tension between “thinkers” and “doers” highlights the need for better integration between academia and industry and the…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: environmental management
  topic: keywords
subject: environmental performance
  topic: keywords
subject: environmental effectiveness
  topic: keywords
subject: stimulators and inhibitors of environmental effectiveness
  topic: keywords
creator: Beata Paliwoda
creator: Alina Matuszak-Flejszman
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Beata Paliwoda, Alina Matuszak-Flejszman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-24
publication date: 2025-09-24
starting page: 14
ending page: 14

Tourist Perception of Thermal Comfort: Foundations for Index Development and Application in Protected Areas
type: item
description: Weather conditions are a crucial factor in tourists’ perception and experience of a destination, with thermal comfort playing a direct role in visitor satisfaction and behavior. This paper presents a structured literature review focused on the development and application of climate indices in tourism geography, with particular emphasis on their methodological foundations and the integration of tourists’ subjective thermal perception. Over the past century, numerous indices have been developed to quantify climatic suitability for tourism, most notably the Tourism Climate Index (TCI) by Mieczkowski (1985). Despite its pioneering role, TCI and similar indices have faced criticism for their generic structure and limited sensitivity to real-world conditions. More recent models, like the Holiday Climate Index, aim to address these limitations by incorporating bioclimatic parameters and subjective human responses. The review highlights the need for improved methodological approaches that integrate tourists’ real-time thermal perception through surveys and empirical field data. Such approaches are crucial for refining climate indices and supporting sustainable tourism planning, especially in the context of increasing climate variability. Future research will apply these methodological guidelines in three protected areas in Croatia - Plitvice Lakes National Park, Kopački Rit Nature Park, and the Vis Archipelago Geopark - within the framework of the scientific project PACT-VIRA, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: climate indices
  topic: keywords
subject: bioclimatic indices
  topic: keywords
subject: Tourism Climate Index
  topic: keywords
subject: thermal comfort
  topic: keywords
subject: tourist perception
  topic: keywords
creator: Leona Matotek
creator: Izidora Marković Vukadin
creator: Hrvoje Carić
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Leona Matotek, Izidora Marković Vukadin, Hrvoje Carić (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-24
publication date: 2025-09-24
starting page: 13
ending page: 13

Rainwater Harvesting and Sustainability (RWHS) of Recharging the Aquifer and its Effect on Groundwater Chemistry of Wadi Al-Shoar Basin/ E. of Mosul City \ N. of Iraq
type: item
description: The Wadi Al-Shoar basin, northeast of Mosul, is a medium-sized basin and part of the Nineveh Plain. There are approximately 15 villages geographically distributed throughout the basin, in addition to the Hamdaniya district. Most of the villagers in the basin are interested in raising livestock and growing wheat, barley, and some vegetables, which they depend on. They depend on groundwater wells and rainfall during the period (October - April) of the year, which flows in the valleys that form the basin and drains into the Tigris River. The sources of the basin begin at Mount Ain al-Safra and Mount Bashiqa in the northeast of the basin. The Wadi al-Shoar basin is characterized by a gradual slope from the northeast to the southwest, where the Wadi al-Shoar basin flows into the Tigris River. This prompts us to consider implementing the idea of rainwater harvesting in the wadi Al-Shoar basin, in order to benefit from it for many purposes and not waste a single drop of rainwater falling on the basin. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and storage of rain, rather than allowing it to run off. It is a process used for collecting and storing rainwater for later use. It is an ancient technique that has gained popularity in recent years due to its environmental and economic benefits. Rainwater harvesting can be implemented on both small and large scales, by using different types of storage structures such as weirs or small dams primarily for humans, irrigation and livestock. More over the stored rainwater behind the weirs or small dams recharge the aquifer in the study area. Rainwater harvesting is a double agents process, firstly store water behind the weirs for different uses and secondly is recharging groundwater which in turn works to reduce the concentration of negative anions such as sulfates (SO₄) and bicarbonates (HCO₃) due to the Fatha geological formation, and positive ions such as calcium (Ca), sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg), since rainwater is considered s…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Drainage basin
  topic: keywords
subject: harvesting and conservation of rainwater
  topic: keywords
subject: Weirs
  topic: keywords
subject: Small dams
  topic: keywords
subject: Groundwater recharge
  topic: keywords
creator: Taha Hussein Al-Salim
creator: Saba Khair Aldeen Altaee
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Taha Hussein Al-Salim, Saba Khair Aldeen Altaee (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-24
publication date: 2025-09-24
starting page: 12
ending page: 12

Decentralized Cooperation as a Tool for Rethinking Sustainable Development and the Triple global Environmental Crisis
type: item
description: The social sciences have contributed to rethinking the question of Development after the Second World War and the creation of the United Nations, but especially after the wars of national liberation and Decolonization of the former colonies. The credit for this questioning of the developmental approaches of the post-independence decades is given to researchers in anthropology and sociology such as Pierre Bouvier (1997) or Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan (1996). The intersection of anthropological and sociological disciplines is part of the socio-anthropological project, in which contemporary social facts are now analysed through the prism of interdisciplinarity. The distance previously marked between ethnologists and the "Others" was deconstructed, revisited and recomposed where "the other" and "the same" intersect. It is through a detailed knowledge of this "Other" that the ethnologist rediscovers his "Self". What had being called Otherness and the identical are one-dimensional, and the area of public action within which this one-dimensionality is manifesting is "Decentralized Cooperation". Decentralized cooperation allows us to move away from the developmental paradigm of developed people or countries on one side, and developed people or countries on the other side. This approach to social change results from the desire of external actors to implement development projects for the benefit of internal actors in an interventionist and humanitarian perspective, without always taking into account local singularities and dynamics. On the other hand, the current sustainable development issue is inseparable from the phenomenon of globalization or "glocalization" (Schuerkens, 2015), one might say. This is even truer when we talk about societal issues that concern all countries in the world, such as the triple planetary environmental crisis including “pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity". In France, the international cooperation actions of local authorities and…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Sustainable Development
  topic: keywords
subject: Environment, Decentralized Cooperation
  topic: keywords
subject: France
  topic: keywords
subject: United Nations
  topic: keywords
subject: developed countries
  topic: keywords
subject: Diplomacy
  topic: keywords
subject: State Diplomacy
  topic: keywords
subject: City Diplomacy
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr. Clotilde Ekoka Dikanda
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Clotilde Ekoka Dikanda (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-09-24
publication date: 2025-09-24
starting page: 11
ending page: 11