Sustainability

20 pages, 11615 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Evolution Patterns and Driving Factors of Various Planting Structures in Henan Province Based on Mixed-Pixel Decomposition Methods

by Kun Han, Jingyu Yang and Chao Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1227; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031227 (registering DOI) - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

Understanding the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and drivers of cropping structures is crucial for adjusting cropping structure policies, ensuring the sustainability of land resources, and safeguarding food security. However, existing research lacks sub-pixel scale data on planting structure, where planted area data are mainly [...] Read more.

Understanding the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and drivers of cropping structures is crucial for adjusting cropping structure policies, ensuring the sustainability of land resources, and safeguarding food security. However, existing research lacks sub-pixel scale data on planting structure, where planted area data are mainly derived from manual counting results. In this study, remote sensing technology was combined with geostatistical methods to realize the spatiotemporal evolution of crop planting structure at sub-pixel scale. Firstly, the spatial distribution of the multiple cropping structure in Henan Province was extracted based on a mixed-pixel decomposition model, and spatiotemporal evolution of the crop planting structure was analyzed using a combination of Sen’s slope estimator and Mann–Kendall trend analysis, as well as centroid migration. Then, Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to explore the contribution of driving factors. The results indicate the following: (1) from 2001 to 2022, the cropping structure in Henan Province shows a slightly obvious increase. (2) The centroid of different cropping structures migrates to the main production areas as a whole. (3) Among the driving factors, there was a positive correlation with the labor force and a negative correlation with the urbanization rate. This study provides new insights into the evolution of large-scale crop planting structures and offers significant theoretical and practical value for sustainable agricultural development and the optimization of agricultural planting structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Management and Sustainable Agricultural Production: 2nd Edition)

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27 pages, 2133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Medical Tourism in Malaysia: Community Perspectives on Quality of Life and Healthcare Accessibility

by Faruqul Islam, Abdullah Sarwar and Nasreen Khan

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031226 (registering DOI) - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

This study explores the intricate relationship between the growth of medical tourism in Malaysia and its impacts on the local community, particularly focusing on residents’ quality of life. Malaysia’s status as a competitive destination for affordable, high-quality healthcare services has led to significant [...] Read more.

This study explores the intricate relationship between the growth of medical tourism in Malaysia and its impacts on the local community, particularly focusing on residents’ quality of life. Malaysia’s status as a competitive destination for affordable, high-quality healthcare services has led to significant economic growth, including increased healthcare revenue, job creation, and infrastructure improvements. However, the influx of foreign patients has raised concerns regarding healthcare accessibility for locals and the strain on local resources. Data from 361 respondents were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that medical tourism positively affects economic performance, with a significant path coefficient (β = 0.434, p < 0.01), showing a strong correlation between economic benefits and perceived improvement from medical tourism development. Similarly, personal benefits from the industry have a positive influence on quality of life (β = 0.202, p < 0.05). However, this study also reveals that attitudes towards medical tourism do not significantly impact residents’ perceptions of quality of life (β = 0.057, p > 0.05), highlighting social disparities in how different groups experience the effects of this industry. The findings suggest that while medical tourism offers economic advantages, challenges such as reduced healthcare access for locals and the growing commercialization of healthcare must be addressed. This study concludes with recommendations for sustainable policy interventions to balance the economic growth of medical tourism with the well-being of local communities. Full article

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34 pages, 2317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toward Enhanced Seed Potato Yield: Ultrasonication Techniques for Sustainable Agricultural Development

by Piotr Pszczółkowski, Piotr Barbaś and Barbara Sawicka

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031225 (registering DOI) - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the potential of ultrasonication techniques in seed potato production as a sustainable agricultural innovation. By improving seed potato efficiency and promoting resource optimization, this research aligns with the goals of sustainable agricultural and rural development, addressing challenges such [...] Read more.

The study aimed to explore the potential of ultrasonication techniques in seed potato production as a sustainable agricultural innovation. By improving seed potato efficiency and promoting resource optimization, this research aligns with the goals of sustainable agricultural and rural development, addressing challenges such as food security, environmental preservation, and economic viability in rural farming communities. The study was conducted over three years in the central–eastern region of Poland, utilizing a randomized block design with a split-split-plot approach. The main experimental factor was the cultivation technology, which included (a) an innovative ultrasonic pre-sowing treatment method and (b) a traditional cultivation method without such treatment. The secondary factor was the potato varieties. The ultrasonic treatment of tubers was performed using an ultrasonic tub-type device equipped with piezoelectric transducers. Cultivation technology, potato varieties, and weather conditions had a significant impact on the yield of tubers in the seed potato fraction size, the number of tubers in this fraction, and the multiplication coefficient. Additionally, the genetic characteristics of the studied varieties and random environmental factors significantly influenced the weight of a single seed potato tuber and the number of shoots produced by each plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development)

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26 pages, 487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does China’s Low-Carbon City Pilot Facilitate Firm Productivity? An Analysis of Industrial Firms

by Yuchao Meng and Jing Hu

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1224; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031224 (registering DOI) - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

This study analyzed the impact of China’s Low-carbon City Pilot (LCCP) on firm productivity using firm-level financial data from the Chinese State Administration of Tax and patent data from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China from 2007 to [...] Read more.

This study analyzed the impact of China’s Low-carbon City Pilot (LCCP) on firm productivity using firm-level financial data from the Chinese State Administration of Tax and patent data from the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China from 2007 to 2016, with the aim of clarifying the impact and mechanism of carbon regulation on firms’ productivity from the perspective of a developing country. By employing a staggered difference-in-differences model, we solved the analytical difficulties caused by the low-carbon pilot batch. Our findings revealed that the LCCP has a positive effect on firm productivity, with a 3% increase in total factor productivity (TFP). We concluded that environmental regulations can increase firms’ productivity. We also identified the mechanism, determining that the LCCP can increase firms’ research and development expenditure and the number of patents, advancing technological development. We also demonstrated that the dispersion of TFP across LCCPs has decreased, showing that low-productivity firms exit the market and the exit mechanism is improved, while resources are allocated more efficiently and market distortions are mitigated. This study contributes to the literature on climate policies on firms’ productivity and provides policymakers with valuable insights for balancing environmental regulations and firm productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Energy Economics and Sustainable Development)

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24 pages, 4791 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential in Portuguese Agricultural Soils Through Land-Management and Land-Use Changes

by Mariana Raposo, Paulo Canaveira and Tiago Domingos

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031223 (registering DOI) - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

Soil carbon sequestration (SCS) is a nature-based, low-cost climate mitigation strategy that also contributes to the climate adaptation of agricultural systems. Some land-use and land-management practices potentially lead to an enhancement of the soil organic carbon (SOC) sink, such as no-till, the use [...] Read more.

Soil carbon sequestration (SCS) is a nature-based, low-cost climate mitigation strategy that also contributes to the climate adaptation of agricultural systems. Some land-use and land-management practices potentially lead to an enhancement of the soil organic carbon (SOC) sink, such as no-till, the use of cover crops, leaving residues on fields, improving the variety of legume species in grasslands and reducing grazing intensity. However, uncertainties remain both in estimating and measuring the impact of the application of certain practices, as these vary with the soil, climate and historic land use. IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) guidelines are commonly used to estimate SOC and SOC sequestration potentials at different tiers. Here, the IPCC’s tier 1 methodology was applied to estimate (1) the sequestration potential of nine mitigation practices and (2) the emission or sequestration potential of four current land-change trends for n = 7092 unique agricultural sites in mainland Portugal. The conversion of irrigated crops to improved grasslands resulted in the highest average unit sequestration (1.05 tC ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), while cropland conversion to poor degraded pasture (abandonment) resulted in the highest unit SOC loss (−0.08 tC ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The abandonment of cropland results in a national SOC loss of up to 0.09 MtC yr⁻¹, while the improvement of poor degraded pastures has the highest national sequestration potential, equal to 0.6 MtC yr⁻¹ (2.2 MtCO_2eq yr⁻¹), about 4% of Portugal’s emissions in 2021, if applied in all managed areas. The results enable a comparison between different practices and land uses; however, to enhance accuracy, a higher tier methodology tailored to the Portuguese context should be developed. Full article

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18 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Enterprise Digitalization Promote Green Technological Innovation? Evidence from China’s Manufacturing Sector

by Jinxiang Zang, Neilson Teruki, Sharon Yong Yee Ong and Yan Wang

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031222 (registering DOI) - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

China’s manufacturing industry is characterized by high energy consumption and high pollution, which urgently requires resolution through green technological innovation. This study focuses on China’s A-share listed manufacturing enterprises to explore their development path for green technological innovation. The study primarily employs statistical [...] Read more.

China’s manufacturing industry is characterized by high energy consumption and high pollution, which urgently requires resolution through green technological innovation. This study focuses on China’s A-share listed manufacturing enterprises to explore their development path for green technological innovation. The study primarily employs statistical regression analysis to uncover the causal link between digitalization and green technology innovation. The study’s conclusion indicates that the digitalization of manufacturing enterprises has significantly promoted green technological innovation. This conclusion remains robust after a series of tests, including alternative variable measurements, instrumental variable (IV) estimation, and counterfactual analysis. Mechanism analysis reveals that digitalization can enhance green technological innovation by improving human capital and innovating business models. The results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the effect of digitalization on promoting green technological innovation is more pronounced in enterprises with higher green awareness among senior executives, high green credit, non-heavy pollution industries, a higher level of existing green technological innovation, and larger enterprise scale. The government should increase support for the digital transformation of enterprises and promote green technological innovation by enhancing the green awareness of enterprise senior executives, optimizing green credit policies, formulating transformation policies for heavily polluting enterprises, implementing differentiated policies based on enterprise scale, and promoting digital transformation. Full article

20 pages, 728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Factors Influencing Women Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: A Strategic Plan for Sustainable Entrepreneurial Growth

by Mohammad Saleh Miralam, Sayeeduzzafar Qazi, Inass Salamah Ali and Mohd Yasir Arafat

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031221 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at diversifying the economy and enhancing societal inclusivity, aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting gender equality and sustainable economic growth. Sustainability is central to fostering women’s entrepreneurship, as it drives social equity, [...] Read more.

Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at diversifying the economy and enhancing societal inclusivity, aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting gender equality and sustainable economic growth. Sustainability is central to fostering women’s entrepreneurship, as it drives social equity, economic diversification, and innovation, elements which are crucial to sustainable development. While the existing literature has primarily focused on women’s entrepreneurship in the Western world, limited attention has been given to its development in the Global South, particularly in Saudi Arabia. As a nation undergoing transformative social, cultural, and economic shifts, women entrepreneurs play a critical role in aligning entrepreneurial efforts with global sustainability goals. This research investigates the factors influencing Saudi women to become entrepreneurs, specifically examining the factors that inspire or hinder them from creating their own ventures. Drawing upon cognitive and social capital theories, which have proven their soundness in the existing literature, this research utilizes a dataset of 1715 women entrepreneurs analyzed through binomial logistic regression. The findings indicate that social desirability, relational capital, experience as angel investors, age, income, and education significantly increase the likelihood of women’s entrepreneurship. By contextualizing women’s entrepreneurship within Saudi Arabia’s evolving societal and economic landscape, this research highlights their potential as drivers of inclusive growth and sustainable economic empowerment. Furthermore, the research outlines strategies to enhance women’s entrepreneurial participation, contributing both to the entrepreneurship literature and the realization of Saudi Vision 2030. Full article

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42 pages, 1978 KiB

Open AccessReview

Technological Innovation in Start-Ups on a Pathway to Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: A Systematic Review

by Lilian Danil, Siti Jahroh, Rizal Syarief and Asep Taryana

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031220 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

In a start-up, the level of technological innovation is crucial to the start-up’s competitiveness, especially in the digital age; as a result, high-tech start-ups stand a better chance of being more profitable than middle-tech and low-tech start-ups. The aim of this study is [...] Read more.

In a start-up, the level of technological innovation is crucial to the start-up’s competitiveness, especially in the digital age; as a result, high-tech start-ups stand a better chance of being more profitable than middle-tech and low-tech start-ups. The aim of this study is to identify and examine research papers regarding the role of technological innovation in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG) in the current context. This study intends to fill research gaps by performing a systematic literature review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines on the subject. To investigate advancements in the use of start-up technologies, scientific publications were obtained from the Scopus database, yielding a total of 384 entries for the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and the meta-analyses identification stage. The findings indicate that high technology encompasses artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and collaborative robots; medium technology comprises mobile applications, big data, and cloud computing; and low technology consists of software and connectivity. Each of the technological innovations plays a significant role in advancing SDG 8, encompassing aspects such as economic growth, employment, productivity, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, development policies, and business growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

21 pages, 8515 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design for Sustainable Behaviour: An Exploratory Study in Schools’ Washrooms

by Paula Brumer Franceschini and Cecilia Gravina da Rocha

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031219 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

Recent research suggests that built environments can influence user behavior. Concurrently, Design for Sustainable Behaviour (DfSB) has emerged in design and manufacturing disciplines. This paper explores the application of DfSB in built environment design by devising and implementing a toolkit to prompt children [...] Read more.

Recent research suggests that built environments can influence user behavior. Concurrently, Design for Sustainable Behaviour (DfSB) has emerged in design and manufacturing disciplines. This paper explores the application of DfSB in built environment design by devising and implementing a toolkit to prompt children to behave more sustainably in schools’ washrooms. The resource consumption before and after the toolkit installation in two primary schools was measured and compared. Afterward, interviews and a workshop were carried out to gather the perceptions of children and staff. Results show a preference for stickers that are playful and portray natural motifs. Also, the toolkit design concepts were not perceived by most users, suggesting it can be simplified and serve mainly as a reminder to perform a particular behavior. Yet, the interview participants suggested that the toolkit could indirectly contribute to more sustainable behaviors by creating a pleasant environment and prompting children to not play/waste resources. Additionally, the research reviews and classifies existing DfSB strategies into three categories, providing valuable insights for designers on tailoring interventions based on user control, attitudes, and targeted behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design for Behavioural Change, Health, Wellbeing, and Sustainability)

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14 pages, 1009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leisure Activity Patterns of an Academic Environmental Group of Szczecin University Students—An Interdepartmental Analysis

by Barbara Osóch, Katarzyna Maciejewska and Krzysztof Dmytrów

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031218 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify the leisure time activity (LTA) patterns among students of three university courses (including students in their first, second, and third year of their bachelor’s degree)—Physical Education (PE) vs. Sports Diagnostics (SD) vs. Tourism and Recreation [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to verify the leisure time activity (LTA) patterns among students of three university courses (including students in their first, second, and third year of their bachelor’s degree)—Physical Education (PE) vs. Sports Diagnostics (SD) vs. Tourism and Recreation (TaR)—at the University of Szczecin and their possible correlations with the faculty of the studying youth. The study involved a total of 219 respondents: 96 were studying TaR, 93 were studying PE, and 31 were studying SD. The research was based on the following questionnaires: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a questionnaire created by the authors which covered the type of leisure time activity (LTA) with emphasis on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and its type, frequency, and whether students sought companionship while engaging in such activities. The data obtained were developed using statistical methods such as analysis of structure and correspondence analysis. Several research questions were put forward in the study. Surprisingly, TaR students were characterized by a greater variety of sports activities than the PE or SD students. The TaR students had also undertaken long trips more often than the PE students. No difference in the frequency of long trips was found between students from either course. Regardless of the type of university course studied, no significant differences were found between the genders in terms of spending free time alone vs. in the company of family/friends. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leisure Involvement and Smart Sustainable Tourism)

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17 pages, 597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing the Productivity of Direct Energy Inputs in EU Agriculture

by Ludwik Wicki, Hanna Dudek, Andrzej Parzonko, Dariusz Kusz and Kaspars Naglis-Liepa

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031217 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

Agriculture is a major energy consumer and a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world’s population grows, increasing food production while reducing energy use presents a critical challenge. This study examined the trends in direct energy input productivity in agriculture [...] Read more.

Agriculture is a major energy consumer and a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world’s population grows, increasing food production while reducing energy use presents a critical challenge. This study examined the trends in direct energy input productivity in agriculture across European Union (EU) countries from 2010 to 2021, focusing on the impact of structural factors, including production scale, mechanization, intensity, and output composition. The results showed a gradual decline in energy productivity, averaging a 1.04% annual decrease, reaching EUR 344,000 per terajoule (TJ) in 2021. Higher mechanization and production intensity improved energy productivity, while larger production scales and a greater share of animal farming had negative effects. Given the current trends of production expansion and extensification, further progress in energy productivity in agriculture appears limited. Policy measures should prioritize optimizing animal production’s share and adopting a sustainable use of renewable energy to lower the dependency on non-renewable fossil fuel sources. Future strategies must balance high agricultural output with sustainable energy consumption per food unit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Economy Volume II)

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31 pages, 1804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building Occupant Energy Labels (OEL): Capturing the Human Factors in Buildings for Energy Efficiency

by Timuçin Harputlugil and Pieter de Wilde

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031216 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

Occupancy is one of the primary contributors to the energy performance gap, defined as the difference between actual and predicted energy usage, in buildings. This paper limits its scope to residential buildings, where occupant-centric consumption often goes unaccounted for in standard energy metrics. [...] Read more.

Occupancy is one of the primary contributors to the energy performance gap, defined as the difference between actual and predicted energy usage, in buildings. This paper limits its scope to residential buildings, where occupant-centric consumption often goes unaccounted for in standard energy metrics. This paper starts from the hypothesis that a simple occupant energy efficiency label is needed to capture the essence of occupant behaviour. Such a label would help researchers and practitioners study a wide range of behavioural patterns and may better frame occupant interventions, potentially contributing more than expected to the field. Focusing on the residential sector, this research recognises that the complexity of occupant behaviour and its links to different scientific calculations requires that researchers deal with several intricate factors in their building performance assessments. Moreover, complexity arising from changing attitudes and behaviours—based on building typology, social environment, seasonal effects, and personal comfort levels—further complicates the challenge. Starting with these problems, this paper proposes a framework for an occupant energy labelling (OEL) model to overcome these issues. The contribution of the paper is twofold. Firstly, the literature is reviewed in depth to reveal current research related to occupant behaviour for labelling of humans based on their energy consumption. Secondly, a case study with energy simulations is implemented in the UK, using the CREST tool, to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of OEL. The results show that labelling occupants may help societies reduce building energy consumption by combining insights from energy statistics, surveys, and bills gathered with less effort, and can assist decision-makers in determining the best match between buildings and occupants. While the focus of this study is on residential buildings, future research is recommended to explore the applicability of OEL in office environments, where occupant behaviour and energy dynamics may differ significantly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

23 pages, 2444 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sharing and Co-Creating Value: Innovation in Platform-Based Agricultural Service Models Driven by Service Demand Collaboration—A Case Study of the JN Life

by Xin Sun and Yike Ma

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031215 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

Platform-based agricultural service models have increasingly become a primary approach to agricultural socialized services in China. This study investigates a service-demand-driven platform-based agricultural service model through the case of JN Life initiated by nine ecological farms. Based on the theory of value co-creation, [...] Read more.

Platform-based agricultural service models have increasingly become a primary approach to agricultural socialized services in China. This study investigates a service-demand-driven platform-based agricultural service model through the case of JN Life initiated by nine ecological farms. Based on the theory of value co-creation, it traces the development of the JN platform ecosystem across three phases: emergence, formation, and expansion. The study examines how farm members and key stakeholders of the JN platform actively collaborate throughout these phases, transitioning from value propositions to institutional arrangements, resource integration, and achieving value co-creation. This process is referred to as an endogenous (vs. exogenous) platform-based agricultural service model. The findings provide valuable insights into advancing the sustainable development of ecological farms and agricultural socialized services, as well as enhancing collaborative innovation in the platform ecosystem. Full article

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19 pages, 13376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Time-Domain Aggregation of Interharmonics from Parallel Operation of Multiple Sustainable Sources and Electric Vehicles

by Vineetha Ravindran, Shimi Sudha Letha, Sarah Rönnberg and Math H. J. Bollen

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1214; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031214 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

This paper examines the random nature of interharmonics generated by power converters connected to sustainable energy sources and loads, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic (PV) panels, and electric vehicles (EVs). Current research often overlooks the stochastic behavior of interharmonics and their impact on [...] Read more.

This paper examines the random nature of interharmonics generated by power converters connected to sustainable energy sources and loads, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic (PV) panels, and electric vehicles (EVs). Current research often overlooks the stochastic behavior of interharmonics and their impact on power system reliability and resilience, leading to gaps in effective modeling and mitigation strategies. Thus, this study examines a low-voltage installation with a PV panel, an EV and a microwave operating simultaneously, providing practical insights into real-world scenarios of interharmonic related disruptions and solutions for enhancing the reliability and resilience of sustainable energy grids. By leveraging real-time measurements of interharmonics, suitable probability distribution functions (PDFs) are initialized to develop a probabilistic model using Monte Carlo simulation. This enables the derivation of a time-domain aggregation model of interharmonics from multiple sources operating together at the point of common coupling (PCC). The findings reveal that the peak values of voltage or current fluctuations at the PCC are influenced by the randomness in the number of devices connected and the frequency components originating from different sources. Through multiple case studies, the dependency of these fluctuations on stochastic parameters is systematically established. Empirical relationships are formulated to predict aggregated interharmonic values under varying scenarios, enhancing the accuracy and applicability of the model. The results demonstrate that higher interharmonic frequencies and fewer randomly connected devices significantly increase the probability of elevated aggregated peak values. These insights can serve as benchmarks for grid operators and policymakers in mitigating interharmonic related issues in modern power systems. Full article

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27 pages, 269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Tackles Vehicle GHG Emissions in California: Regional Plan Adoption or Local Leadership?

by Ahoura Zandiatashbar, Serena Alexander and Branka Tatarevic

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031213 - 3 Feb 2025

Abstract

The California Senate Bill No. 375 (SB 375) serves as a model policy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by integrating transportation and land-use planning through regional and local policies. The 18 California Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are tasked with developing Sustainable Communities [...] Read more.

The California Senate Bill No. 375 (SB 375) serves as a model policy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by integrating transportation and land-use planning through regional and local policies. The 18 California Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are tasked with developing Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) to guide emissions reductions, often implemented locally through Climate Action Plans (CAPs). However, CAPs are voluntary, and misalignment with SCS objectives can undermine their effectiveness. This study examined 25 California cities using content analysis and regression modeling to explore whether independent local actions, supported by community engagement, activist strategies, and leadership, are more effective than regional alignment in reducing vehicle trips. The findings show that while aligning regional and local plans is important for equity and resource distribution, local activist leadership in addressing specific issues, such as parking and public education, achieves significant reductions in vehicle trips. These efforts lead to a 20% increase in non-auto commuting, even without a mandated regional alignment. Additionally, regional strategies such as climate-friendly infrastructure and mass transit are crucial for addressing resource disparities between lower-income communities with limited volunteer capacity and wealthier communities that benefit from robust regional plans and strong local leadership. This study provides critical evidence of the effectiveness of regional and local approaches, emphasizing the need for a balanced, multi-scalar framework to enhance transportation emission reductions and climate resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

32 pages, 5372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Ayelet Gal-Tzur

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031212 - 2 Feb 2025

Abstract

Data scarcity and privacy concerns in various fields, including transportation, have fueled a growing interest in synthetic data generation. Synthetic datasets offer a practical solution to address data limitations, such as the underrepresentation of minority classes, while maintaining privacy when needed. Notably, recent [...] Read more.

Data scarcity and privacy concerns in various fields, including transportation, have fueled a growing interest in synthetic data generation. Synthetic datasets offer a practical solution to address data limitations, such as the underrepresentation of minority classes, while maintaining privacy when needed. Notably, recent studies have highlighted the potential of combining real and synthetic data to enhance the accuracy of demand predictions for shared transport services, thereby improving service quality and advancing sustainable transportation. This study introduces a systematic methodology for evaluating the quality of synthetic transport-related time series datasets. The framework incorporates multiple performance indicators addressing six aspects of quality: fidelity, distribution matching, diversity, coverage, and novelty. By combining distributional measures like Hellinger distance with time-series-specific metrics such as dynamic time warping and cosine similarity, the methodology ensures a comprehensive assessment. A clustering-based evaluation is also included to analyze the representation of distinct sub-groups within the data. The methodology was applied to two datasets: passenger counts on an intercity bus route and vehicle speeds along an urban road. While the synthetic speed dataset adequately captured the diversity and patterns of the real data, the passenger count dataset failed to represent key cluster-specific variations. These findings demonstrate the proposed methodology’s ability to identify both satisfactory and unsatisfactory synthetic datasets. Moreover, its sequential design enables the detection of gaps in deeper layers of similarity, going beyond basic distributional alignment. This work underscores the value of tailored evaluation frameworks for synthetic time series, advancing their utility in transportation research and practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Systems and Consciousness Society: Sustainable Transportation and Decision Making)

21 pages, 4761 KiB

Open AccessReview

Board Diversity and Environmental Disclosure: A Review, Current Insights, and Emerging Trends

by Bikun Xu, Noriza Mohd Jamal, Yue Liu and Taher Ben Yahya

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1211; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031211 - 2 Feb 2025

Abstract

As the challenges of environmentally friendly development continue to intensify, the governance mechanisms of environmental disclosure have become particularly important. Although studies have explored the governance determinants of environmental disclosure, there is a lack of a comprehensive overview in the existing literature that [...] Read more.

As the challenges of environmentally friendly development continue to intensify, the governance mechanisms of environmental disclosure have become particularly important. Although studies have explored the governance determinants of environmental disclosure, there is a lack of a comprehensive overview in the existing literature that addresses board diversity. To fill this gap, this study provides an in-depth analysis of board diversity that promotes environmental disclosure by systematically reviewing 74 relevant papers from the Scopus database. In addition to utilizing qualitative content analysis based on a systematic literature review, this study distinguishes and identifies board diversity factors influencing environmental disclosure through quantitative bibliometric analysis using a descriptive analysis. The results not only summarize the key findings of the existing literature but also suggest directions for future research, providing new perspectives that could aid in understanding and improving board diversity in environmental disclosure. Furthermore, this study identifies a number of challenges in practice, such as the difficulties that may be encountered in collecting and validating accurate environmental data. The study highlights the importance of board diversity for better environmental disclosure and suggests future research directions. Policymakers and management are urged to promote board diversity to improve environmental disclosure, which can enhance a company’s performance and societal value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)

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18 pages, 1181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expediting Recovery: Lessons and Challenges from the Great East Japan Earthquake to War-Torn Ukraine

by Mikio Ishiwatari, Akiko Sakamoto and Mikiyasu Nakayama

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031210 - 2 Feb 2025

Abstract

The ongoing war in Ukraine poses an uncertain future, highlighting the need to prioritize reconstruction efforts even before the war ends. Japan’s recovery mechanisms have developed based on the experiences and lessons learned from natural disasters such as the Great Kanto Earthquake in [...] Read more.

The ongoing war in Ukraine poses an uncertain future, highlighting the need to prioritize reconstruction efforts even before the war ends. Japan’s recovery mechanisms have developed based on the experiences and lessons learned from natural disasters such as the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and from war damage by World War II. This study aims to draw practical insights and lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake for Ukraine’s postwar recovery and help achieve rapid and high-quality results. This study reviews the literature, policy documents, and reports on recovery from the disaster. It was found that streamlining environmental impact assessments, land use regulations, and land acquisition could accelerate recovery. Engaging the private sector promoted the reconstruction of critical infrastructure and housing projects. This Japanese case study highlights the importance of ensuring sustained commitment and avoiding setbacks in the recovery process by establishing legislative, planning, and institutional frameworks, as well as financial mechanisms. Protecting human health is paramount, even if more resources are needed to manage hazardous materials. Applying these valuable lessons to Ukraine requires careful consideration, including leveraging foreign investments to supplement limited domestic resources and establishing effective governance structures that promote transparency, accountability, and coordination. Full article

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20 pages, 7477 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Semantic Segmentation of Street Views with SP-UNet for Comprehensive Street Quality Evaluation

by Caijian Hua and Wei Lv

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031209 - 2 Feb 2025

Abstract

Traditional street quality evaluations are often subjective and limited in scale, failing to capture the nuanced and dynamic aspects of urban environments. This paper presents a novel and data-driven approach for objective and comprehensive street quality evaluation using street view images and semantic [...] Read more.

Traditional street quality evaluations are often subjective and limited in scale, failing to capture the nuanced and dynamic aspects of urban environments. This paper presents a novel and data-driven approach for objective and comprehensive street quality evaluation using street view images and semantic segmentation. The proposed SP-UNet (Spatial Pyramid UNet) is a multi-scale segmentation model that leverages the power of VGG16, SimSPPF (Simultaneous Spatial and Channel Pyramid Pooling), and MLCA (Multi-Level Context Attention) attention mechanisms. This integration effectively enhances feature extraction, context aggregation, and detail preservation. The model’s average intersection over union, Mean Pixel Accuracy, and overall accuracy achieving improvements of 5.83%, 6.52%, and 2.37% in mIoU, Mean Pixel Accuracy (mPA), and overall accuracy, respectively. Further analysis using the CRITIC method highlights the model’s strengths in various street quality dimensions across different urban areas. The SP-UNet model not only improves the accuracy of street quality evaluation but also offers valuable insights for urban managers to enhance the livability and functionality of urban environments. Full article

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