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The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the sustainable efficiency of container terminals (CTs). By the definition of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), business sustainable development includes three domains: Economics, Environment, and Society. Accordingly, based on the definition and the practical features of CT operations, this paper assesses sustainable efficiency for CTs from three perspectives: container throughput, CO2 emissions, and occupational safety. In this paper, a modality movement and a fuzzy grey relational analysis (GRA) approach are first proposed to estimate CO2 emissions and occupational safety index for CT operators, respectively. A hybrid slacks‐based measure (SBM)‐DEA model is then developed to assess the sustainable efficiency of CT operators. Finally, the CT operators in the Port of Kaohsiung are empirically investigated to validate the research model. Based on the results, theoretical and practical implications for the management of CT operators and port authorities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is an important topic in the development process of urban agglomerations. Sustainability assessment is an effective way to monitor the sustainable development of urban agglomerations. Based on the three‐pillars model, the paper assessed the sustainability of the three major urban agglomerations in China by selecting 18 indicators from economic, social, and environmental dimensions. A new sustainability‐differentiation‐combined weighting method was proposed, which considers the sustainability at indicator level as well as highlights the difference at urban agglomeration level. The assessment results show that the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration performed best, followed by the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration and the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration. However, the sustainability level of the three urban agglomerations was not high. It primarily caused by the downward development trend of economic sustainability of the three urban agglomerations. And the YRD and PRD urban agglomerations had lower performances on social sustainability. The spatial sustainability of the urban agglomerations was also analyzed, and the results show the spatial linkage development within the urban agglomerations was poor. Based on these findings, some valuable suggestions were provided as reference for the sustainability construction of the urban agglomerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this paper is to examine the threshold impact of financial development and trade liberalization on income inequality as a measure of sustainable development in a sample of developed and developing countries using panel threshold analysis. Two major dimensions of financial development are considered: liquid liabilities and stock market capitalization. The empirical results revealed that financial development reduces income inequality only in countries where their GDP per capita is above ~US$11,000. It has no significant impact in reducing inequality in developing countries. This implies that institutional reforms in less developed and developing countries are necessary in order to reap the gains from financial development. Trade liberalization is found to have a positive impact on income inequality for both country groups—that is, trade benefits have worsened the income distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient allocation of resources and transition towards cleaner sources of energy are among the key factors in minimizing the negative externalities arising from the growing dependency on fossil fuels. Moreover, environmentally benign trade policies are crucial due to the rapid expansion in global trade and comparative advantage. To explore the relationship between global trade and Consumption‐Based Carbon Emissions (CBCE) in China in the context of renewable energy consumption and energy efficiency from 1990 Q1 to 2020 Q4, this paper employs the dynamic Autoregressive Distributed Lags (Dynamic ARDL) model to evaluate the connection between international trade, renewable energy usage, energy efficiency, and CBCE, with the Kernel‐Based Regularized Least Squares analysis being used to determine the causal association. The findings reveal that GDP and imports are directly linked with CBCE in the long run, while exports, energy efficiency, and renewable energy consumption have a negative significant long‐run and short‐run influence on CBCE. In addition, exports help in the reduction of CBCE by sharing and adapting environmentally friendly technologies adopted in, for example, renewable energy and ecological advancements. Renewable energy promotes the quality of the environment, which is attributable to the performance of renewable energy and environmentally friendly technologies that directly stimulate the reduction of CBCE emissions. By cutting CBCE, energy efficiency tends to boost environmental quality. The research findings have noteworthy policy implications; trade enhances the quality of environment by introducing lower energy intensive production methods and technology that support sustainable development. As a result, this study advocated quite stringent policies in terms of aligning international trade orientation with environmental quality policy in China. Furthermore, energy efficiency policies are required to lower CBCE by focusing on high‐energy‐using industries and providing alternative clean energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary economic growth models have directed the economies on an unsustainable trajectory where the present generation seems disenchanted with the heap of waste, debt, and insufficiency inherited from their forefathers. The present paper is an attempt to analyze the cause of consumerism and recommend an eco‐spiritual policy perspective for ensuring sustainable development. The paper analyzes that the United Nations recently announced Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot lead the economies towards sustainable development. Ensuring sustainable development will require curbing consumerism consciously through exploring the unexplored spiritual dimension, which can inspire humanity to lead a life of simplicity, moderation, and minimum desires for sustainable and all‐inclusive development. It has been stressed that aspiration of breakthrough result requires moving away from the external to the inward synthesis of the spiritual aspects, which believes in co‐existence, acknowledging care, and concern for both human beings and the nature. The paper argues for an eco‐spiritual perspective for furthering the goal of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high‐quality green transition is essential to achieving sustainable and coordinated global development. In this paper, a new method of two‐step geometric average is proposed to measure green transition, and a comprehensive framework on the relationship between sustainability and coordination via the propelling force of green transition is constructed at both the national and provincial levels. In addition, the mediating effect model and the threshold model are employed to empirically verify the mechanisms and influences. According to the results, green transition can contribute to regional economic growth at national level and to the coordinated development of regional economies at provincial level in China. Meanwhile, the non‐linear 'U‐shaped' relationships between green transition and regional economy are demonstrated in Asia and the eastern region of China, and spillover effect of technological innovation can indirectly promote regional development. In addition, the heterogeneity effect of green transition fully releases the dividend of economic quality and environmental governance capacity, promoting the coordinated development of regional economies. In the meantime, the driving force of green transition on regional economy is dependent on the external environment, particularly before and after the outbreak of COVID‐19, when its impact has altered substantially. Therefore, it is necessary to promote green transition via greater technological innovation efficiency, and then to restore the vitality of regional economic development; which could provide policy makers and professionals in the regional economy with information for enhancing sustainable and coordinated development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of financial inclusion along with environment related technological innovation has been ignored by previous studies, especially, in terms of tradeadjusted carbon emissions. Unlike previous studies, this study aims to test the role of financial inclusion and eco-innovation on trade-adjusted carbon emissions or consumption-based carbon emissions for a group of seven economies over the period 2004-2019. Further, this study also tests the role of exports, imports and gross domestic product. We develop an index using principal component analysis to measure financial inclusion. The study utilizes the novel method of moment quantile regression to obtain the results. The results indicate that eco-innovation reduces consumption-based carbon emissions at 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th quantiles, respectively. Moreover, financial inclusion and exports also reduce emissions at 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th quantiles. In contrast, gross domestic product and imports cause trade-adjusted emissions to increase. Moreover, a bidirectional link is established between all variables except for financial inclusion. Finally, this study provides relevant policy implications for trade, eco-innovation, and financial inclusion in the group of seven economies for sustainable trade development. This paper further provide relevant environmental policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large and growing literature on the relation between economic growth and poverty reduction. The evidence points to a negative correlation between growth and poverty. However, many studies also find that growth does not mechanically reduce poverty, arguing that in many cases rapid economic growth has not necessarily been pro-poor. This paper uses the concept of 'exit time from poverty' to assess the potential of economic growth to reduce poverty in Benin; thus accelerating the progress of the country toward the achievement of the sustainable development goal of eliminating poverty by 2030. It uses nationally representative household data covering the period 2009-2011 and analyses the impacts of various growth scenarios on poverty. The results show that, with a growth rate in income per capita of 4.2% per year, it will take between 7 and 10 years for the average poor household to escape from poverty. The paper also finds that stronger economic growth leads to shorter average time to exit from poverty. However, there is a lot of heterogeneity in the exit time from poverty, with various households' characteristics such as households' size and human capital being important determinants. Taken together, the results suggest that policies to accelerate poverty reduction should emphasize the development of human capital and ensure that growth is inclusive and pro-poor. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The nexus between hydropower dams, social policy and corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a currently understudied topic. This paper aims to fill parts of this gap by discussing these issues in relation to the world's largest builder of hydropower dams, Chinese state-owned enterprise Sinohydro. This paper draws on the analysis of firm strategy documents and CSR documents and gains additional insights from key informant interviews. The research finds that in 2011 Sinohydro developed its first comprehensive policy framework for social and environmental safeguards that was in line with international standards set by the World Bank/International Finance Corporation. These policies were however later replaced by weaker, vaguer policy. The paper suggests there is a need for Sinohydro and other dam-builders to re-engage with social innovation to mitigate some of the negative social and environmental implications of hydropower dams. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The G7 and Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) nations have committed to greenhouse gas emission reduction according to targets set out in the Paris Agreement and Copenhagen Accord. The objective of this paper is to develop an index decomposition framework and apply it for comparison of the drivers behind carbon dioxide emission. The impact of economic and technological development on greenhouse gas emissions is assessed by applying the Kaya identity. The index decomposition analysis is carried out by applying the Shapley value. In this paper, we seek to compare the two groups of countries—G7 and BRICS—in regard to the underlying trends in the energy‐related carbon dioxide emission during 1990–2015. The comparison of these two groups for countries draws some light on the pathways of decarbonization of the economies in developing and developed countries. The time period covered spans over the sub‐periods of economic growth and decline. Energy intensity appeared as the major factor pushing the carbon dioxide emissions down in the developed countries (i.e., G7 group). The latter effect was much lower for the developing countries (i.e., BRICS group) and was offset by the affluence effect. Further development of the renewable energy is important for the developing countries in order to start exploiting the carbon factor effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, social responsibility (SR) in public–private partnership (PPP) projects has become crucial due to the need for governments and policy‐makers to develop public infrastructures that are sustainable and offer additional social benefits. However, a systematic review of the extant literature on PPP‐SR is lacking. This study therefore addresses this gap by conducting a comprehensive review through a three‐stage systematic process. From the review, 38 SR factors are identified from 26 selected papers on PPP‐SR published in peer‐reviewed journals from 1990 to 2016. The most reported SR factors in PPPs include "establishing an environmental management system," "innovation" and "ensuring accountability, legitimacy and transparency." The 38 SR factors are classified into three interrelated categories, namely economic, environmental and community development. The findings inform researchers and practitioners of the SR factors that need to be considered to enhance sustainable development in PPPs. Also, the checklist of PPP‐SR is useful for further empirical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty per cent of the world's population professes religious belief. Such beliefs provide precepts on how individuals should conduct their private lives and (often) how society should be organized. Given there are 2.1 billion Christians worldwide and 1.3 billion Muslims, understanding the religious approach to social life based on sacred texts and social teachings of Christianity and Islam has a strong relevance to those interested in implementing international economic development policies. This paper argues that religion can thus play a positive role in development and specifically support development economic policies at the international level. The purpose of this paper is not to present a fully formed development economic policy, but rather to identify teachings of the world's two largest religions - such as preferencing the poor, minimizing inequality and having the economy serve wider realms of society - that directly speak to how sustainable economic development is understood within these faith traditions and how these teachings could scaffold and support and international policy frameworks aimed to achieve sustainable economic development. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The least developed countries (LDCs) have been declared a battleground where the success or failure of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be decided. Being the main instrument of support of LDCs and one of the main means of the implementation of the SDGs, international trade plays a crucial role in this case. Following the importance of trade for the sustainable development of LDCs, the study evaluates the success of selected LDCs in increasing their participation in international trade since the beginning of the new millennium. The participation of LDCs in international trade and the progress they have individually made is explored using 10 criteria, which were processed by the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The low participation of LDCs in international trade and the almost negligible progress they have made brings legitimate doubts about whether international trade can fulfill its function as a means of implementation of the SDGs in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper explores environmental innovation in the largest emerging economy - China - and its potential for contributing to global transitions to low-carbon, more sustainable patterns of development. It builds on earlier studies bringing alternative forms of low(er)-technology, 'below-the-radar', 'disruptive' and/or social innovation into its analysis. In addition, however, the paper develops our understanding of low-carbon innovation by paying particular attention to issues of changing power relations and social practices: theoretical issues that need attention in the literature generally but are notably absent when studying transitions in China. This shift in perspective allows four neglected questions to be introduced and, in each case, points to both opportunities and challenges to low-carbon system transition that are overlooked by an orthodox focus on technological innovations alone. These are briefly illustrated by drawing on examples from three key domains of low-carbon innovation: solar-generated energy, electric urban mobility, and food and agriculture. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Large dams have been controversially debated for decades due to their large-scale and often irreversible social and environmental impacts. In the pursuit of low-carbon energy and climate change mitigation, hydropower is experiencing a new renaissance. At the forefront of this renaissance are Chinese actors as the world's largest hydropower dam-builders. This paper aims to discuss the role of South-South technology transfer of low-carbon energy innovation and its opportunities and barriers by using a case study of the first large Chinese-funded and Chinese-built dam in Cambodia. Using the Kamchay Dam as an example, the paper finds that technology transfer can only be fully successful when host governments and organizations have the capacity to absorb new technologies. The paper also finds that technology transfer in the dam sector needs to go beyond hardware and focus more on the transfer of expertise, skills and knowledge to enable long-term sustainable development. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Public demonstration projects are used to promote the upscaling of green-manufacturing technologies in China, in order to expedite innovation 'catch-up' and transitions to sustainable development. However, these projects are facing implementation challenges, because the relevant barriers are different from traditional demonstrations in new technological niches, when involving complex economic concerns and prolific small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as adopters. This paper, therefore, adopts a case-based approach to investigate a specific example of a demonstration project in China to support the large-scale diffusion of green technology and its pilot implementations. Through the case study, this paper reveals that these demonstrations face a different set of diffusion barriers in testing technologies and promoting learning. In addition, this case also shows that a new policy model may be needed in order to cope with these barriers, when emphasizing market-oriented policies and non-legislative actors as well as combining them with traditional mandatory measures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Green growth has been identified as an effective way to foster economic growth and address environmental problems, and is practised in various countries globally. However, there remain several obstacles and difficulties to evaluating green growth practices in theory, as there is no proper evaluation framework. To bridge this gap, a universal and comprehensive evaluation indicator system for green growth is built based on improving the plan–do–check–action (PDCA) cycle method, and then is applied to study China's green growth practices by using a hybrid method combining fuzzy set theory and the Decision‐Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The influences and interrelationships of sub‐practices are determined, and a visual analysis is conducted to evaluate their relationships. The findings reveal that five sub‐practices were grouped into a set of causes. Of these, high‐level leadership (G1) is the largest influencing factor, and its support and consideration should be prioritized. The other 10 sub‐practices are classified as a set of effects. Of this set, a well‐governed and effective institutional arrangement (G5) is the most influential practice restricting China's green growth. Additionally, this paper also finds that communicating benefits with stakeholders (G7) is strongly related to other sub‐practices, and is the top factor contributing to the success of China's green growth strategy. This study contributes not only to the literature on green growth practices in an emerging economy but also to giving decision‐makers and researchers inside and outside China valuable inspiration and references for improving the performance of green growth practices. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study addresses how the sustainability crisis may be overcome by using alternatives to the conventional economic growth paradigm. Based on a literature review, the paper identifies and discusses three alternatives, namely negative, zero and positive economic growth. These alternatives are compared from a feasibility and policy perspective in relation to the transition toward sustainable development. The three alternatives are associated with very far‐reaching sets of policies that have different focal points with regard to how the paradigm shift from the conventional growth paradigm can be realized. All these alternatives, however, challenge the effectiveness of market forces. The shortcomings of the alternatives (resistance to voluntary transition with negative or zero growth, no proper consideration of the rebound effect for positive growth) hinder the transition and must be further addressed by policy‐makers in public and private sectors, as well as by civil society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine the two‐way relationship between economic growth and human development in Zambia over the period 1970 to 2015. By applying the cointegration and vector error correction model techniques, our estimates demonstrate, in the first instance, that economic growth and human development are cointegrated. Second, there is no evidence of two‐way causal effect observable between economic growth and human development in the short run. In marked contrast, we find that economic growth has long‐run effect on human development, with no evidence of reverse causality. This shows that the endless fixation on economic growth has manifestly and consistently proven that GDP growth has had sluggish multiplier effect on inclusive development in Zambia. Finally, we draw country‐specific policy recommendations from our empirical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study looks into the effects of voluntary sustainability reporting in analysts' earnings forecasts as a driver for sustainable development. The methodology used is based on a regression model to test whether the issuance of a CSR stand-alone report affects analysts' forecast errors and forecast dispersion. Forecast error refers to the difference between the forecasted earnings per share (EPS) and the actual EPS. Dispersion refers to the standard deviation in EPS forecasts between analysts following the same firm. Our study in the Spanish context includes 527 observations from listed firms and covers the period 2005-2010. We provide evidence that there is a negative statistically significant association between the absolute forecast earnings error and the publication of a sustainability report. However, we find that the CSR reports have lost power in reducing the earnings forecast error if we compare analysts' activity before the financial crisis and during the crisis itself, so we open up a question for future research to check whether this is a consistent trend or whether in times of economic recovery this phenomenon regains power. The main conclusion of this paper points to the importance of sustainable development and stakeholder engagement through the issuance of CSR reports, which can help the smooth running of capital markets in a context of increasing sensitiveness to social responsible investment. Our study in this field is pioneering in the Spanish setting, which is especially interesting given the growing trend to publish CSR reports in this country. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development in the context of international policy is influenced by western values, with few critical evaluations of its application in Asian contexts. This paper presents the interpretation of sustainable development by businesses, civil society, government at various levels and a selection of graduate students in Phuket, Thailand. In all, 78 hours of observations in public meetings, 70 hours of interviews and 10 hours of sectorally arranged workshops were conducted over a period of two years. Data were transcribed and analysed using established qualitative methods. The paper reports how Thai value systems relate to sustainable development concepts and proposes that a culturally appropriate model is needed for understanding the path to a sustainable future in Phuket. Understanding cultural and social values is the key to sustainability. This will require appropriate network-building that creates change towards a culturally sustainable society. We propose that similar cultural adjustment will be necessary for sustainable development to become effective as an organizing concept in Asia. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the interpretation of pictures that stakeholders draw in order to help them structure and understand complex situations. The pictures in question are called Rich Pictures (RPs) and the matter at the heart of interpretation is insight drawn from eduction (drawing forth). Insights relate to stakeholders of all kinds, be they the individual, the group, the context in which the individual and the group find themselves, or the means whereby the context can be made more sustainable or improved. RP drawing, often as a collaborative, stakeholder exercise, is a powerful activity that has the capacity to break down barriers of language, education and culture. Drawing upon research with RPs from around the world and spanning 50 years of our combined practice, this paper demonstrates RPs' utility, universality and resilience. We maintain that RP drawing enriches problem solving and, in the long term, saves time and resources being expended on erroneous and/or superficial tasks. However, the interpretation of RPs is still in its infancy. By use of processes derived from various forms of content analysis (CA) we argue that RPs can be applied as a powerful tool in a variety of policy fields. Conclusions for application are drawn and suggestions are made for further research relating to the clearer interpretation of RPs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on a qualitative study that explored the views of a group of staff from Brazilian organizations that profess to be 'sustainable', on barriers to sustainability. The main barriers identified in the study were lack of clarity in the concept, resistance to change, lack of systems thinking, political factors, inability to ensure sustainable behaviours among suppliers, and the consumer culture of global capitalism. In investigating perceptions of barriers to sustainability by managers of business companies, this paper contributes to a better understanding of how the tensions between the growth imperatives of an emerging economy and calls for sustainable practices are played out at organizational level. The paper also identifies a number of relevant themes for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest regarding sustainable consumption has increased around the world, and several international institutions and organizations have highlighted the emergency that society needs to face from this century onwards. Sustainable consumption involves many factors other than individual behaviour, which usually leads to a cross-national focus to explain differences and similarities among countries. Cross-cultural investigations have emerged under the widespread context of sustainability, but how they can contribute to clarify sustainable consumption behaviour is as yet an incipient discussion. On this basis, and considering previous literature about value dimensions, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and the value-belief-norm theory (VBN), this paper undertakes a theoretical discussion drawing upon previous empirical research and proposes a new, alternative and complementary point of view. We address how cultural elements can influence values and, in turn, sustainable behaviour. Moreover, we argue that beliefs could be a key driver of sustainable intention, as the intention formed by attitude, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms does not explicate sustainable consumption by itself. Ultimately, this study combines various concepts in a wider discussion about cross-cultural sustainable consumption, a holistic perspective to investigate sustainable consumption across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current need for policy programmes for Macedonian cities to reach the standard of sustainable and prosperous economic development, and to enable their promotion on the European cultural map, initiated the Architecture as a Cultural Sustainability Factor of the Macedonian Cities project. The project aims to inspect the spatial and physical potential of the Macedonian architectural and bio‐regional heritage in order to create unique and competitive brands, and to develop the overall economic and tourist potential of the Republic of Macedonia. The project encompasses cooperative agreement‐based projects with the Association of the Units of Local Self‐Government of the Republic of Macedonia (ZELS), consisting of 84 municipalities and the capital of Skopje as a particular self‐governed unit. The National Strategy of Sustainable Development, ZELS' strategic plan for 2011–2015 and successive municipality action plans are the basic sources of information for the investigation regarding political, architectural and social aspects, providing legal instruments and collaborative forms between the residents and municipal governments in building up creative class resources for long‐term sustainable development. During the investigation a wide range of methods were employed, including collection of data and examination of archive documents, onsite surveys, mapping and evaluation of the cultural and architectural heritage of Macedonian cities and regions, and interviews and collaborative meetings with municipal and civic representatives. The findings outline the general branding strategy for the Macedonian cities, adjoined with a spectrum of interventions for site‐specific adaptive design concepts aimed to employ their unique physical and cultural identities in order to brand themselves successfully. In this paper, we present our first case study, the Remediation Project for the Quay of the River Dragor, which was completed in 2014 in cooperation with the Municipality of Bitola, and was produced to set the standards and the formula for the success of the city branding. Following the objectives of the Strategic Plan for Local Development of the Bitola Municipality 2009–2014, this project highlights the primacy of environmental protection for sustainable development as the basis of the integrated design strategy that relies on ecological principles. On a political level, it pioneers the grounds on which architecture expands its disciplinary assumptions, goals, institutional, legal and financial tools in the municipal policies of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the light of challenges to sustainable development in the post‐2015 development agenda, this paper assesses how increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions affect inclusive human development in 44 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa for the period 2000–2012. The following findings are established from Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions: first, unconditional effects and conditional impacts are respectively positive and negative from CO2 emissions per capita, CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption, and CO2 intensity. This implies a Kuznets‐shaped curve because of consistent decreasing returns; and second, the corresponding net effects are consistently positive. The following findings are apparent from Generalized Method of Moments regressions: first, unconditional effects and conditional impacts are respectively negative and positive from CO2 emissions per capita, CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption, and CO2 intensity. This implies a U‐shaped curve because of consistent increasing returns; and second, the corresponding net effects are overwhelmingly negative. Based on the robust findings and choice of best estimator, the net effect of increasing CO2 emissions on inclusive human development is negative. Policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of neoliberalism, a corporate-dominated state-assisted deregulated growth strategy, which has caught most countries in the throes of what can be termed a 'growth trap', has indeed yielded significant economic gains for many but has also entailed inexorable social, moral and environmental adversities. This paper argues that the reason we experience the incongruities between economic growth and social nourishing is the fact that we treat economy over society as our end goal. We regard economic growth as the end-all sum. Given the social and other costs this obsession with growth has inflicted upon societies, it is important that we escape the neoliberal growth trap and recalibrate our focus from the economy to society, to ensure that neither growth nor 'development', but rather formation of what this paper terms 'good societies', those that nurture and thrive on values of equity, empathy, social justice and environmental sustainability, should be the end goal. By drawing lessons from several philosophical and practical ideas, the paper offers policy options relevant to the implementation of the 'good society' concept both within and across nations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of neoliberalism, a corporate-dominated state assisted deregulated growth strategy, which has caught most countries in the throes of what can be termed a 'growth trap', has indeed yielded significant economic gains for many, but at the same time has also entailed inexorable social, moral and environmental adversities. This paper argues that the reason we experience the incongruities between neoliberalism induced economic growth and social nourishing is because we give economy primacy over society, sometimes to its cost. Given the colossal social, environmental and moral damage that the pursuit of neoliberal economic growth has caused to society, it is important that we recalibrate our focus from the economy to society and ensure that neither growth nor 'development', but rather formation of what this paper terms 'good societies'-- entities that nurture and thrive on values of equity, empathy, social justice and environmental sustainability -- constitutes the end goal of all public actions. By drawing lessons from several philosophical and practical ideas, the paper offers several policy options relevant to implementation of the 'good society' concept both within and across nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term 'green tourism' is often used in conjunction with the desire for a balanced approach to tourism planning. 'Green tourism' is defined as tourism that enhances the local cultural elements, operating under the control of local communities, providing employment and maintaining the economic benefits within the local communities. In fact, the above definition is often poorly attested, since there are times when the economic benefits escape from local communities. For its part the tourist industry uses the term 'green tourism' as a message to tourists on energy saving, avoiding coastal pollution etc. Sometimes the same tourist businesses are accused of using the label 'green' primarily for marketing purposes. This paper shows that governments have a crucial role regarding encouragement to use cleaner technologies in the tourism sector and presenting different approaches for sustainability to be achieved in developing countries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of facilitating the long-term transformation towards a sustainable future, the research field of sustainability transition has gained growing attention. A number of approaches have been proposed to understand or even manage the complex societal transition processes towards sustainable development. There are four popular approaches for sustainability transitions, i.e. the multi-phase concept, multi-level perspective, strategic niche management and transition management. However, there is a lack of studies to systematically review and critically reflect on these various approaches in this emerging field. This paper presents a holistic review of the four most common approaches, and more importantly identifies four critical challenges for the future studies on transition approaches. Consequently, the associated future research agenda is presented. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper hypothesizes that fiscal policy is one important factor determining whether or not environmentally and socially sustainable economic growth is possible. We postulate that tax policies affect the incentives to make the economy more or less dependent on natural resources and the environment as factors of production. So-called pro-growth tax policies consisting of a low tax burden, low direct taxes but high indirect ones, affect the composition of factor endowment, often inducing overinvestment in physical capital and underinvestment in human capital, including education and health. These policies in part explain a structure of production heavily dependent on natural-resource-based and environmentally dirty industries. Moreover, these tax policies induce high levels of inequality, which ultimately may render economic growth socially and politically unsustainable. This analysis has important implications for Chile and for other developing countries, especially in Latin America, which are highly dependent on natural resources and have highly unequal income distributions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employee ownership systems influence both the economic and social contexts of organizations and have the potential to contribute to sustainable development. This paper examines the contributions of an employee-owned hotel to sustainable development in North Cyprus. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with employees and managers and by analyzing the relevant documents. The employee ownership system was found to have a positive socio-economic impact on the development of sustainable tourism. The employee ownership system enabled the hotel to establish strong and long-term relations with the local community by generating new and stable local employment, fairly distributing business opportunities in their local community, improving the locals' quality of life and preserving an iconic built resource of the island. The factors that helped the new ownership system at the hotel to be successful in this case are identified as ethical leadership, people-centered human resource practices, autonomy, collaboration with the local community and customers, and political willpower. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable efforts are being organized to build a functioning carbon market in China. This paper presents an overview of the development of the Chinese carbon market and offers an industry perspective on the domestic regulatory and investment environments. It is based on a review of relevant publications and interviews with Beijing-based finance executives. We found that few financial institutions with the expertise required have been brought into the process of institutional development. Corporate demand for advanced financial services linked to emission trading is weak. Current regulations permit limited trading options, significantly reducing investment opportunities. The market scale is too small to attract investors and financial service providers. Consequently, the Chinese carbon market remains illiquid. Domestic financial institutions have not assumed a critical role in market development. It is suggested that policy-makers minimize administrative intervention in the market, but a modest degree of direct administrative control is still considered to be instrumental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa, like most developing nations, is confronted with choosing between the need to advance their economy and the need to protect the environment. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN‐SDGs‐7, 11, 12 & 13) provide a strong foundation for this investigation. To this end, the current research investigates the combined impacts of economic policy uncertainty, fiscal decentralization, and green innovation on environmental sustainability for the instance of South Africa with yearly frequency data from 1960 to 2020. The current research leverages on dynamic ordinary least squares, fully modified ordinary least squares, and canonical cointegration regression. The Maki cointegration test shows how the variables being evaluated have an equilibrium connection across the time period under review. Empirical findings support the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) framework. These findings imply that, in the first stages of economic expansion, ecological environment is being sacrificed for economic progress (scale stage). Based on the EKC hypothesis, long‐term quadratic economic growth reduces emissions by 0.162% whereas a 1% rise in economic growth increases emissions by 0.791%. Similar to this, long‐term economic globalization and economic policy uncertainty impair ecological sustainability, whereas long‐term fiscal decentralization and green innovation raise it in South Africa. These results have broad environmental repercussions. The present investigation supported environmental stick measures and investment in initiatives on a fundamental change from fossil‐fuel energy consumption base to renewables. The final portion highlights further insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were an important precursor to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hence, identifying the conditions that made the MDGs successful enhances our understanding of global goal‐setting and informs the global endeavour to achieve the SDGs. Drawing on a comprehensive review of 316 articles published between 2009 and 2018, we identify six factors that have enabled or hindered MDG implementation. Our analysis stresses the importance of path dependencies and shows that the MDGs catalysed changes only for those countries with sufficient resource availability, administrative capacity and economic development, as well as adequate support from external donors. National ownership and NGO pressure bolstered efforts to implement the MDGs. These findings suggest that globally agreed goals do not easily trickle down from the global to the national level. Thus, this article adopts a forward‐looking perspective and draws key lessons for the current implementation of the SDGs in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recently adopted global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are intended to catalyse implementation of sustainable development. Their success or failure will rely heavily upon national implementation. However, the SDGs represent a broad, integrated and complex agenda that will be very challenging for countries to implement. Over the past decade, scenario analysis has emerged as a method that is particularly well suited to sustainable development and has seen a rapid expansion in national development planning practice. It will be an invaluable tool for governments in formulating their national SDG strategies. However, despite its increased application, there is limited guidance available on the use of scenario modelling in national development planning. By undertaking a review of the recent best practice literature as well as 22 contemporary scenario modelling case studies, this paper draws out lessons learned and proposes an iterative framework for ex ante scenario modelling to support national SDG planning. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to reduce environmental degradation has led to the identification of several factors influencing environmental degradation, with the inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) touted as a key factor. However, findings produced from the existing studies on FDI‐environmental degradation nexus are far from being conclusive, leaving policymakers under quandary regarding the precise effect of FDI on environmental degradation. We contribute to the FDI‐environmental degradation nexus debate by examining how economic development and globalization thresholds influences the role of FDI in environmental degradation in industrialized countries over the 1991–2016 period. We invoke a recently developed fixed effect panel threshold model estimation procedure that does not impose a prior functional form of the threshold. We find that FDI inflows mitigate environmental degradation when countries' levels of economic development and globalization are below the estimated thresholds. However, above the thresholds, higher FDI inflows significantly degrade the environment. Thus, unbridled economic development and globalization do not permit FDI to reduce environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic development and growth of any country strongly depend on the consumption and production system, which requires a massive amount of energy consumption. Many countries satisfy their energy demands by relying on fossil fuel consumption. Within the production system, manufacturing and logistical operations are heavily depend on fossil fuel‐based energy consumption, causing environmental degradation. Hence, economies worldwide strive to become carbon neutral; the goal is to be carbon‐free, requiring businesses in the respective countries to rely on renewable energy sources. Besides manufacturing, many countries for economic growth also depend on the tourism industry, which also requires the implementation of green policies. In this regard, economic growth, advanced logistics, tourism, and renewable energy are essential variables that need thorough empirical testing to address environmental problems. The current study uses fixed effect and random effect models to empirically test carbon‐free economic growth and international tourism through advanced logistical infrastructure and renewable energy consumption in developed countries. Findings reveal that advanced logistics infrastructure and renewable energy consumption play a crucial role in enhancing economic growth and international tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to empirically evaluate the effect of low carbonation, crime rate, and logistical infrastructure on tourism and economic development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) tourist countries through structural equation modeling for the sample period from 2011 to 2019. The proposed model presented six hypotheses among four constructs that suggest that logistic performance and renewable energy consumption positively affect tourism, whereas the crime rate harms tourism in ASEAN countries. As far as the economic growth of ASEAN countries is concerned, it is positively affected by logistic performance, renewable energy, and tourism. Thus, it can be concluded that better ecological conditions with less carbon emission through the use of renewable energy, efficient logistics services and infrastructure, and a peaceful environment with a low‐crime rate can boost the tourists' arrival, which in turn would be beneficial for the economy of ASEAN countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of education is inevitable in the process of societal reform and achieving sustainable development. Sustainable development remains unachievable without advancing the environmental quality. It is noteworthy to explore the relationship between natural resources, renewable energy consumption, and environmental quality. The current study analyzes the impact of renewable energy use, natural resources abundance, and education on environmental quality by controlling the role of financial development and economic growth within selected Asian countries from 1990 to 2018. The study focuses on second‐generation unit root and co‐integration methods that control the heterogeneity in the data. Empirical results inferred that any expansion in education rate and renewable energy enhances environmental quality. Natural resource abundance increases the level of carbon emissions. The results of Dumitrescu and Hurlin panel causality ensure a bidirectional link between financial development and emissions as well as renewable energy and emissions. The findings furnish important policy implications by furnishing empirical evidence from Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, using a novel, annual cross‐country panel dataset that covers 160 economies from 1950 to 2016, we examine the association between the size of the informal sector and various indicators of sustainable development. The range of indicators encompasses health‐related, economic, environmental, education, and social variables. Our results suggest that the size of the informal sector is negatively associated with GDP per capita, carbon dioxide emissions per capita, education, educational attainment, life expectancy, and access to safe drinking water, and positively related to female labor force participation rate, poverty rates, mortality rates, and air pollution. We also find that these empirical associations significantly interact with GDP per capita, indicating that the effect of larger informal sector size is stronger in less developed economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development has become a major problem in European Union (EU) countries. This has prompted many researchers to examine a broad range of interactions among sustainable development indicators. This study uses the variance decomposition and cointegration approach to assess the causal relationship among energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and economic development (gross domestic product [GDP], foreign direct investment [FDI], net exports, and employment in industry) in the eight new and 15 old EU countries. The results confirm the existence of at least long‐run equilibrium relationships among economic growth and energy consumption, CO2, FDI, and net exports. In addition, short‐run bidirectional causality among GDP, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions is found for the old EU countries, whereas unidirectional causalities run from GDP to energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the new EU countries. Evidence from the variance decomposition analysis shows that 22% of the future shock in GDP is due to fluctuations in energy consumption, CO2, and employment in the old EU countries, whereas 53.1% emanates from CO2, employment, and FDI in the new EU countries. These findings have potentially important implications for sustainable development and environmental policy in both old and new EU countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern economies, the advancement of well‐being of the citizens should be in an inclusive and sustainable way. In this respect, the sustainable welfare targets should exclusively include three main pillars: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. These pillars consist of qualitative and nonmonetary, as well as monetary and quantitative indicators to monitor. Although sustainable development today is well‐appreciated in most governments' agenda, yet it is generally not a trivial task to measure its progress especially due to multidimensional nature of some targets. In this article, sustainable development is measured by using a wide range of indicators within multidimensional perspective of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015. Indicators cover wide spectrum of areas such as poverty reduction, health, education, gender equality, and environment. An index creation method is developed for measuring the level and the performance of countries' progress through achieving MDGs. The index score levels and the rankings of countries are compared with similar indexes developed by United Nations. Finally, countries are classified according to their achievements relative to other countries (which is measured by the index) versus their self‐achievement performances (in terms of improvement of the index over years) in a big matrix. Results demonstrate the importance of measuring country performances in both dimensions. Understanding the progress in MDGs can help settle on binding targets for achieving the country specific goals in economic and noneconomic areas and on the mechanisms to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030, which set amid on the success of MDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides an analysis of Cambodian socio‐economic and environmental development. The analysis applies the Sustainable Society Index—database and uses Sustainability Window analyses linked to the green growth strategy in Cambodia. The novel analyses provide criteria for weak and strong sustainability and are further developed to evaluate the green growth productivity gap. We have carried out empirical analyses using indicators of the different dimensions of sustainability—economic, social, and environmental. The Sustainability Window defines the minimum economic development for social sustainability and the maximum economic development for environmental criterion for sustainability. This study demonstrates methodological usefulness of the Sustainability Window analysis in the fields of development studies and green growth. The methodological novelty of this study is to use Sustainability Window approach and to provide a novel empirical testbed for strong and weak sustainability analyses as well as for the analysis of the green growth resource use productivity gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the importance of sustainable development widely accepted, the relationship between natural capital utilization and economic development has become a global focus. This study analyzes the relationship between the utilization of natural capital and economic development in the countries along China's "Belt and Road" initiative using a panel regression model. The results show that the labor force, rural and urban populations, and exports and imports have a significant impact on both natural capital consumption and economic development. However, the impact of exports and imports on economic development here is contrary to economic theory and experience. We also find that there is still resource dependence in economic development and that natural capital consumption has a long‐run impact on it. To address this, the "Belt and Road" countries should adopt comprehensive national and regional measures to build a mutually beneficial cooperative mechanism and trade environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is simultaneously the world's biggest polluter, largest victim of pollution, and most ferocious fighter against pollution. So the question is: How can pollution be reduced to pave the way for the ecological civilisation of the future moderately affluent Chinese society? For China to play a leading role in escaping the global environmental crisis, for the benefit of its own population and the rest of the world, technological improvements and the greening of the economy, important as they are, will not suffice. More is needed in terms of limiting resource consumption, namely a reorientation from economic growth towards sustainable consumption and sufficiency. Improving efficiencies on all levels by technological and social innovations is a condition for this, as is a change of consumer aspirations from more to better, towards sufficiency and a good life. Chinese philosophical traditions and values offer anchoring points for such a green enlightenment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid economic growth and urbanization have contributed to increasing concerns around sustainable development in China. Although urban sustainable development is often comprised of environmental, economic, social and governance aspects, most empirical studies on the public perception of sustainability have exclusively focused on the environmental aspect. Using extensive survey data from three representative cities in Henan Province, China, this study is a first endeavor to examine how perceptions of urban sustainability performance and concerns vary by demographic and socio‐economic status of local residents. This study documents that familiarity with sustainable development concepts is positively associated with education, income, party affiliation and personal health of individuals, while negatively correlated with age. In addition, this study has shown that the most severe threats to sustainability as perceived by citizens are air pollution, corruption, income and education inequality, and excessive industrial production. At the same time, economic indicators such as unemployment, poverty and consumerism are considered lesser threats than social inequality or environmental pollution. Furthermore, residents generally view the sustainable development performance of their cities as mediocre. While generally younger residents and residents with higher levels of education tend to be more critical and long‐term residents tend to be more forgiving, results frequently show that concerns and attitudes towards sustainable development by various socio‐demographic groups differ from city to city. This is strong evidence to support independent local policies tailored to the socio‐demographics of each individual city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to contribute to the overall discussion on sustainability of growth and convergence in a variety of regions, focusing on not only economic but also environmental sustainability aspects and consequences of convergence. Results show that the direction and rate of economic convergence among countries of different regions markedly depends on the stage of their development and corresponds well to the primary regularities of logistic growth law. In developing regions, faster growth in richer countries leads to divergence among countries of the region. Absolute economic convergence is only possible in economically developed regions, which have already passed the stage of maximal growth rate and can be characterized by the deceleration of economic growth gradually approaching the steady state (zero-growth) stage. Economic growth and convergence lead to both positive and negative environmental outcomes. The first signs of absolute decoupling have been noticed over the last decade in some developed countries, but only a relative decoupling of environmental impact from economic growth is characteristic of developing regions and countries. The level of decoupling is not sufficient, and environmental impact in developing countries and in the largest emerging economies in particular is approaching the high level of developed countries much faster than the economy. Hence, different development stages require different approaches and policies for both economic development and environmental sustainability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations sustainable development goals are under fire. By attempting to cover all that is good and desirable in society, these targets have ended up as vague, weak, or meaningless. We suggest a model for sustainable development based on three moral imperatives: satisfying human needs, ensuring social equity, and respecting environmental limits. The model reflects Our Common Future's central message, moral imperatives laid out in philosophical texts on needs and equity, and recent scientific insights on environmental limits. The model is in conflict with the popular three-pillar model of sustainable development, which seeks to balance social, environmental, and economic targets. Rather, we argue that sustainable development constitutes a set of constraints on human behaviour, including constraints on economic activity. By identifying indicators, and thresholds, we illustrate that different regions or groups of countries face different challenges. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the effects of length of microfinance borrowing, service provider and other factors on microfinance participation and outcomes in Bangladesh are investigated. Data were collected from 300 microfinance respondents using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and econometric statistics were used for data analysis. The financing authorities gave preference to rural, powerless, illiterate and poor people in all groups of candidates. Spillover effects were minimized by considering endogeneity, attrition bias and unobserved bias. The fixed effect instrumental variable method was used to show that the microfinance effects changed over time, i.e. were greater in historical borrowing than in more recent borrowing. Farm size, repayment behavior, savings amount per week and annual household income were identified as significant factors that influenced recipients' effective participation in the microfinance program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]