Search

In the scope of this study, we delved into a thorough exploration of the intricate relationship between PISA study outcomes and a spectrum of socio-economic variables across 33 diverse countries. Our analytical approach harnessed the power of multivariate linear regression models, executed using STATA, a reliable and robust statistical software. These models served as a precise tool to effectively gauge the influence of a multitude of factors on PISA scores, thereby offering a nuanced understanding of the dynamics at play. However, we didn't stop at mere regression analysis. We further enriched our investigation by embracing the K-means clustering method. This clustering approach allowed us to classify countries into distinct groups based on shared characteristics related to PISA scores and socio-economic factors. By doing so, we unlocked a deeper layer of insight into the unique patterns and commonalities within the dataset, shedding light on the complex interplay between education, socio-economic variables, and the broader landscape of economic development. The amalgamation of these two analytical methods presented a holistic perspective, enabling us to unravel the multifaceted interactions that underlie education outcomes and socio-economic conditions. These findings, ripe with implications, offer valuable guidance for policymakers, educators, and researchers alike, as they grapple with the challenges of enhancing educational quality and promoting sustainable economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both economic growth targets and environmental targets drive green growth. • The two types of targets crowd out each other in driving green growth. • They drive green growth through a shared channel of stimulating green innovation. Stimulating green growth is an important element of China's economic planning. Green growth has dual attributes of greenness and growth, while economic growth targets and environmental targets respond to these two attributes, respectively. Whether the combination of dual targets is more effective than a single target is critical to understanding the dynamics of green development. Although scholars and practitioners have studied government performance targets, we know little about interaction effects of different targets in a multi-target system. This study considers the interaction effects of environmental and economic growth targets on green growth. Using panel data from China's provinces, we find both economic growth and environmental targets can drive green growth. However, these targets crowd out each other in driving green growth, implying a trade-off between economic growth and environmental protection. The crowding-out effect exhibits a clear inverted U-shaped trend influenced by environmental governance and technological support, as it is prominent mainly in provinces with moderate environmental governance and technological support. Furthermore, economic growth targets affect green growth by promoting investment in research and development, while environmental targets drive green growth by promoting industrial agglomeration. Notably, green innovation is a shared channel for both types of targets to influence green growth, making both targets crowd out each other. These findings suggest that we should value synergy between multiple targets in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of the digital economy on urban green development and its fluctuations, the entropy method is employed to measure the degrees of the digital economy and green development in 284 cities of China during 2013 to 2019. A panel fixed-effect model is established for the exploration of how the digital economy affects urban green development. The results indicate: (1) Throughout the research period, notable variations were observed in digital economy and green development levels among cities, both of which demonstrated an upward trajectory overall. After undergoing several robustness tests, it is evident that the digital economy plays a significant role in advancing urban green development. (2) The impact of the digital economy on urban green development varies due to differences in urban resource endowments and geographical locations. In non-resource-based cities and the eastern regions, the positive influence of the digital economy on urban green development is more pronounced and significant. (3) The effect of the digital economy on urban green development does not follow straight-line characteristics. When the digital economy level attains a specific threshold, its positive impact will notably intensify. The results aid in shaping specific policies for different regions, promoting digital economic growth, and facilitating the urban green transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have made it necessary for us to reevaluate the connection between environmental preservation and economic growth. The article uses Chinese city-level panel data from 2011 to 2019 to analyze the relationship between digital finance (DF) and environmental performance (EP), relaxing the linear relationship in the conventional empirical model and applying the partial linear functional-coefficient (PLFC) model, in order to better understand the factors influencing EP. The findings indicate as follows: (i) DF can greatly improve EP, and the robustness analysis confirms this statement. (ii) Science, technology, and innovation (STI) influence the promotion effect of DF on EP; when the level of STI exceeds a certain threshold, the promotion effect of DF on EP increases, and this effect increases with the level of STI. (iii). There is substantial geographical variation in the moderating influence of STI level. It has a larger role in eastern coastal cities. Finally, policy suggestions are offered to promote DF and increase EP based on the nonparametric link between those two variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization has a profound impact on the daily lives of individuals and plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable development. Digital economy has emerged as a prominent driver of sustainable development worldwide. It plays a crucial role in environmental sustainability, economic expansion, and social progress. This study primarily examines the role of the digital economy in facilitating sustainable regional development (SRD). Furthermore, this study examines the moderating effect of digital financial inclusion on the relationship between digitalization and SRD. Panel data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning the period 2011 to 2021 were utilized for this analysis. Digital economy (Digi-E) and SRD were measured using the panel entropy method and principal component analysis. SRD considers three main dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the provinces. The spatial Durbin dynamic model and spatial regression were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that Digi-E significantly affected SRD, with a marginal effect of 0.297. Similarly, digital financial inclusion significantly and positively moderates the relationship between Digi-E and SRD. The spatial Durbin dynamic model also showed that Digi-E has a significant effect on SRD when both types of weights are considered, such as economic geography and geographic distance. Moreover, it was confirmed that the SRD in the previous year significantly contributed to the SRD in subsequent years, and that the SRD in the local region also significantly contributed to the SRD of the adjacent region. Spatial regression also revealed a significantly positive impact of the interaction terms Digi-E and digital financial inclusion on SRD. Thus, Digi-E can contribute significantly to sustainable regional development both individually and through digital financial inclusion. The new economic growth and development plan requires governments to drive the digital revolution and improve the infrastructure. Governments should increase digital financial services with a focus on rural monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the transition from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the concept of development has shifted from development to inclusive development. This motivates authors to include not only growth and inequality but also poverty, which will represent our concept of inclusive development. The literature on trade and its impact on inequality and poverty is ambiguous and heterogeneous, reflecting the need for more empirical analyses to enable effective policy targeting and implementation. The study examines the dynamic linkages between trade and the GIP triangle (economic growth, poverty, and inequality) in 18 emerging countries from 1991 to 2020. As a contribution to the existing literature, the study emphasizes direct and indirect linkages between trade and the GIP triangle. Using the panel ARDL approach for panel data, the study finds that trade promotes growth. Trade also helps in deteriorating income inequality, while it is not a factor of poverty eradication in emerging economies. The study recommends that to maximize the effectiveness of trade policies; they must be complementary and implemented in tandem with trade reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palm oil, derived from Elaeis guineensis, is a critical component of the global edible oil and industrial fat market. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the sustainability of the palm oil chain, focusing on industrial applications, environmental implications, and economic sustainability. The processing of palm oil, from fruit pulp to refined oil, is detailed, highlighting the importance of refining in maintaining quality and extending application ranges. While palm oil offers health benefits because of its rich fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties, its production poses significant environmental challenges. This review underscores ongoing efforts to balance technological and culinary demands with environmental stewardship and sustainable economic growth. Emerging trends, including interspecific hybrids such as E. guineensis and E. oleifera, are discussed for their potential to increase sustainability and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact and its mechanisms of green finance on economic growth by using the green finance reform and innovation pilot zone (GFRIPZ) as a quasi‐natural experiment. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2019, we employ a difference‐in‐differences (DID) model and find that the GFRIPZ's construction has a positive effect on economic growth, resulting in real GDP growth of 2.2% in the pilot zones. Mechanism analysis shows that the GFRIPZ policy promotes economic growth by stimulating green technological innovation and increasing green fiscal expenditures. Further, the moderating effect result reveals that the more powerful the environmental regulation, the better the economic growth effect of the GFRIPZ policy. Additionally, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the GFRIPZ policy can contribute more in accelerating economic growth in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Xinjiang. Our findings provide the latest empirical evidence that green finance promotes economic growth, as well as cross‐references for policymakers to scientifically execute green monetary policies and effectively balance green development and economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst global sustainability challenges, green finance emerges as a crucial instrument for advancing sustainable development, garnering increasing attention for its pivotal role in fostering high-quality economic development (HQED), particularly within the dynamic economic landscape of China. This study delves into the nexus between green finance and HQED across 30 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2021. Employing the entropy method, indices for green finance and HQED index system are calculated, and their interaction is analyzed through a panel data model, incorporating tests for moderating effects of FinTech and green technological innovation, as well as assessing the heterogeneity across diverse regions. The findings highlight green finance's significant role in enhancing HQED, with notable regional disparities. Specifically, the eastern region shows the strongest impact, followed by the central region, while the western and northeastern regions exhibit weaker influences. The study also identifies FinTech and green technological innovation as pivotal moderators, amplifying green finance's positive effect on HQED. These insights underscore green finance's importance in driving sustainable economic growth and highlight the necessity for region-specific strategies to optimize its impact. Policy recommendations based on these findings include prioritizing the development of green finance, formulating region-specific strategies, and leveraging the catalytic roles of FinTech and green technological innovation to enhance the efficacy of green finance in achieving HQED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The marine economy has played an important role in stabilizing national economic growth and ensuring economic security. Achieving high-quality and sustainable development of the marine economy is a strategic task for China to build a maritime power. Confronting various risk factors such as financial crises, natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, industrial transformation, and public health security, etc., marine economic resilience (MER) has received widespread attention in recent years and is considered to be crucial for high-quality and sustainable development of the marine economy. Methods: This study takes 11 coastal provinces in China as cases, integrates 6 condition variables by building a Resistance capability-Recovery capability-Renewal capability (3R) configuration model, and uses the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach to empirically explore the configuration effect between multiple land factors and MER. Results and discussion: (1) None of the 6 conditions in the three dimensions of resistance capability, recovery capability, and renewal capability alone constitute the necessary conditions for strong or weak MER, indicating that a single condition has weak explanatory power for MER; (2) There are two configurations for strong MER: Strong Resistance-Recovery Type and Comprehensive Strong Type. Industrial structure, governmental capability, and digital economy are the core conditions for strong MER configurations; (3) There are four weak MER configurations: Comprehensive Weak Type, Weak Recovery-Renewal Type, Weak Resistance-Recovery Type I, and Weak Resistance-Recovery Type II. This studymay expand the research scope of MER influencing factors and enriching the research perspective of land-sea integration, as well as providing decision-makers with practical policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development proposes the ambitious goal of an inclusive and sustainable economy. Thus, a realistic assessment of individual countries' possibilities to implement the Sustainable Development Goals might provide helpful insights. We seek to contribute to the existing literature by proposing a working framework for assessing, at the individual country level, the impact of long‐run economic growth on societal sustainable development. The framework is based on composite models from the Structural Equation Modeling‐SEM with a Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS‐PM) estimator. In contrast, societal sustainable development is viewed as emerging from its various dimensions (environmental protection, human development and public health). Based on the analyses of an extended sample of 99 countries, including data for thirty years (from 1990 to 2019), we find that economic growth matters in explaining societal sustainable development, and different countries have benefited unequally from this situation. The key finding reveals that countries aiming to follow the SDGs should recognize their significant disparities and engage in profound structural, institutional, functional and cultural transformations. Thus, a more holistic approach to societal sustainable development is currently needed to enhance government effectiveness as a transmission channel for the impact of growth. In addition, governments need to adjust their economic mechanisms to internalize the costs of environmental degradation and negative externalities for human development and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of digital transformation in improving sustainable innovation performance, the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which digital transformation affects sustainable innovation performance is unclear. Using the lens of information technology‐enabled organizational capabilities, this study develops a moderated mediation model based on new economic growth theory and information asymmetry theory to examine the impact of digital transformation on sustainable innovation performance. Using a sample of Chinese agriculture firms, our findings reveal that digital transformation positively affects sustainable innovation performance through digital technology‐business alignment, and this indirect effect is stronger when environmental uncertainty is lower. Moreover, environmental uncertainty negatively moderates the relationship between digital transformation and digital technology‐business alignment. Our theoretical explanations and empirical evidence provide insights into how digital transformation initiatives can be leveraged to improve sustainable innovation performance, thus making an important contribution to the related literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) tremendously impacts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the countries involved. However, the BRI's impacts and impact pathways on the synergies and trade‐offs in these countries' SDGs remain unclear. Using global data from 2005 to 2021, we find that the BRI has dramatically promoted low‐income countries' SDGs and the synergies between high‐income countries' SDGs. Continuing to prioritize economic growth as the main focus of the BRI may not be the optimal path for achieving mutual development that benefits all of humanity. Although there is environmental pressure involved with the BRI, this factor does not force involved countries to make trade‐offs between improving SDGs and environmental resources. Furthermore, the BRI affects involved countries' SDGs through two key channels: fostering industries, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) by enhancing people's well‐being (SDG 3) and promoting zero hunger (SDG 2) through sustainable cities (SDG 11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of green development is crucial for policy analysis and decision‐making. To address the research gap on green development assessment systems, this study first presents the Super‐efficiency Bounded Adjusted Measure model to gage the green growth index and economic growth index. This analysis involves evaluation of the coupling coordination degree. Through the analysis of the coordination between green growth and economic growth leads to recommendations for each region under consideration in regards to promotion of the components of the sustainable growth. This study presents the model that melds the objectives of the green and economic growth and uses the results for constructing the sustainable development Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient for the analysis of the differences in the sustainable development levels across the regions. The empirical case is presented to show the possibilities for application of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is a common goal across the world. As the core force to promote economic growth and enhance national competitiveness, the sustainable development of urban agglomeration is a key component of national strategy. This study explored the scale optimization in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA) under the framework of sustainable development. Results showed that the sustainability of the overall urban agglomeration development is not optimal. With the increase in cities, the sustainability of the city combination formed with Shanghai as the seed point showed a trend of increasing at first and then decreasing. When the number of city group is 6, the sustainable development goal (SDG) index score is the highest. It indicated that the combination formed by some cities may be superior to urban agglomeration in sustainability. Therefore, the concept of pan-metropolitan area was proposed, and at current stage, the pan-metropolitan area should be developed first to achieve sustainable development within a smaller urban group, and then to build high-quality and coordinated development at the entire urban agglomeration. Finally, a road of urban agglomeration integration and international development from part to whole will be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the drivers and constraints affecting enterprise capacity utilization (CU) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We used data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey and a fractional logit model to examine the impacts of institutional, infrastructural, and sustainability factors on firms' CU. Our analysis highlights corruption and competition in the informal sector as significant impediments to firms' CU, alongside complex infrastructure barriers that hinder the optimization. Conversely, environmental responsibility and innovation emerge as critical drivers for enhancing CU. Surprisingly, top managers' experience introduces a counteractive influence that negatively affects CU. Beyond the empirical findings, this study's implications extend to various stakeholders, notably policymakers. Emphasizing the need to address corruption, foster an enabling business environment, strategically invest in infrastructure, promote sustainability initiatives, and foster innovation to enhance CU are paramount. Additionally, providing targeted managerial training to mitigate negative managerial influences is crucial. Implementing these recommendations promises to foster an environment conducive to improved CU, driving economic growth, and sustainable development in the MENA region and benefiting stakeholders across sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green transformation of industry and sustainable economic development both require considerable investment. In this regard, green finance that is compatible with economic development can help cope with the massive demand for capital. Taken China's Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as an example, this study is to measure the coordination degree between green finance and economic development. First, the concept, content and scope of green finance is defined based on the new financial regulation mechanism. Second, a green finance measurement index is built to calculate the green finance index for 30 Chinese provinces by the CFA test. Third, based on the economic structure index, an economic development index is built. Testing the rationality of green financial index and the economic development index, this paper finally measures the degree of coordination between green finance and economic development in the YRD. The results reveal that, first, green finance is a financial instrument that integrates financial industry development, environmental improvement, and economic growth. The measurement of the green financial development index includes the sum of regional green credit, green investment, green securities, and green insurance. Second, after years' development, the comprehensive score of YRD's coupling coordination degree exceeds 0.8 in 2020, which shows a high level of coordinated development between green finance and economic construction. However, there is a 2-year timing effect between the economic development and green finance index increase, which reveals that green finance development in the YRD requires further policy guidance and support. This study's findings can provide a theoretical reference and case support for the further development of green finance and related policies in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resources are vital resources given by nature and are responsible for promoting a nation's economic development. However, with the existence of two opposing theories, it is essential to provide state‐of‐the‐art research that ascertains the association between natural resources and economic growth. The Rostow hypothesis presents the importance of natural resources in promoting economic growth, while the resources curse hypothesis alludes that natural resources, in the developing countries, reduce economic growth. The present research uses the contemporary Methods of Moments Quantile Regression method to explore on this relationship in the fifteen natural resources‐rich African countries. The data used are annual data for the period 1990 to 2021. The major results presented in this research show that natural resources rent significantly promotes economic growth in this region, supporting the postulations of Rostow's hypothesis. Renewable energy is also observed to play a significant role in raising economic growth of this region. However, labor force participation rate is determined to reduce economic growth and this can be explained by high levels of unemployment in this region. Capital provides a positive but insignificant effect on economic growth of the natural resources‐rich African countries. The study results also show that economic growth, capital, trade openness, and labor force enhance natural resources rent. The study calls for the improvement in the use of renewable energy and natural resources in order to attain sustainable economic development in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing global concern about the challenges of sustainable development. Furthermore, these concerns are becoming increasingly prevalent in Bangladesh on a daily basis. This may be attributed to the escalating influx of remittances, the degradation of natural resources, and the potential adverse impacts of economic growth on the ecosystem. Thus, this research looks at how remittances (REM) and natural resources (NR) affect the ecological footprint (EFP) in Bangladesh by controlling economic growth (EG), renewable energy (REN), and urbanization (URB) from 1990 to 2021. The study utilizes the linear and non‐linear autoregressive distributed lag model to test the relationships between REM and NR on EFP. Positive and negative shocks to REM and NR have varied consequences on EFP, which suggests an asymmetric relationship. The findings reveal that the impact of the positive shock on NR is positive and significant. It implies that an increase in the positive shock of NR causes a rise in EFP. However, the impact of the negative shock on NR is negative but statistically insignificant. Likewise, negative shock in REM decreases the EFP by increasing ecological quality, while positive shock in REM does not significantly impact EFP. Similarly, REN and URB improve the environmental quality in Bangladesh while EG decreases. To meet sustainable development goals, policies can be designed for proficient and ecologically friendly types of energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development and raising the domestic value-added rate of exports (DVARE) have become essential priorities in the pursuit of high-quality economic growth. An econometric spatial model is developed in this research using data on Chinese enterprises spanning 2008 to 2019. According to a study, exports' domestic value-added rate (DVAR) can be successfully increased using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Spatial spillover analysis demonstrates that adopting ESG practices boosts export DVAR both within and between regions. According to heterogeneity analysis, the sample's overall increase in DVARE as a result of ESG practices is mostly attributable to the mix and processing trade organizations, the eastern area, and large firms. An examination of the underlying mechanisms shows that businesses that implement advanced technologies are able to reinforce the favorable impact of ESG practices on DVARE. This article gives evidence from real-world studies that show how ESG practices help boost Chinese exports and advance sustainable development. The findings hold significant implications for other developing nations as they make the transition towards a pattern of economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic development and environmental sustainability have recently become global priorities. This study utilizes the nonlinear autoregressive distribution lag model (NARDL) to investigate the asymmetric effects of natural resource rents on economic growth and environmental quality in China and the United States from 1970 to 2020. The findings indicate that natural resource rents exert asymmetric effects on economic growth and environmental quality in both countries; however, the impact patterns differ between the two countries. In the short term, a decrease in natural resource rents significantly increases GDP per capita in the US, while an increase in natural resource rents has no effect. Moreover, natural resource rents do not influence the ecological footprint in the US. By contrast, China's GDP per capita remains unaffected by natural resource rents, while the ecological footprint is significantly influenced by both positive and negative changes in natural resource rents, exhibiting asymmetric impacts. In the long run, an increase in natural resource rents significantly impacts both GDP per capita and the ecological footprint in the US, while a decrease only impacts the ecological footprint. By contrast, both increases and decreases in natural resource rents impact per capita GDP and the ecological footprint in China. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring country‐specific policies to facilitate sustainable economic development and enhance environmental quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has experienced great economic expansion, which has resulted in varied degrees of diversified commerce, an elevated level of government revenue, and an increase in the demand for energy. The purpose of this study is to provide a solution to this conundrum by analyzing the effects of trade diversification (TDF), government revenues (GRN), gross domestic product (GDP), and natural resource rent (NTR) on the sustainable development of the ASEAN countries between the years 1981 and 2022. In order to accurately portray the concept of environmental sustainability, the ecological footprint (EFP) is utilized to represent sustainable development. The quantile‐based econometrics technique known as the Method of the Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) has been utilized in order to investigate the direction and amplitude of the asymmetric correlation that exists between the interaction of GRN, TDF, NTR, and EFP. According to the estimations of the MMQR, it is proposed that government revenues, which include significant financial incentives that promote the stringent execution of environmental rules, hence avoiding deleterious impacts on the environment, have negative coefficients at all quantiles (Q0.25 − Q0.90). Conversely, TDF and GDP have a positive and statistically strong significant correlation across all quantiles (Q0.25 − Q0.90), revealing that TDF reduces environmental sustainability and expands the size of the world's EFP by making energy‐intensive products more accessible. In addition, the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and the Common Correlated Effect Mean Group (CCEMG) both provide evidence that supports the correlation study by demonstrating that there is a similar pattern of causality across variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses theories and practices related to growth and degrowth, questioning the conventional notion of development and proposing different approaches to achieve human well-being. Concepts such as the doughnut economy, circular economy, and dematerialized growth are mentioned. The importance of implementing these ideas in countries facing difficulties in meeting basic needs, such as Venezuela, which has experienced economic decline and massive emigration of its inhabitants, is highlighted. The need to properly manage resources, promote inclusive economic growth, and adopt recycling and sustainable development practices is raised, as well as diversifying the economy and harnessing the country's tourism potential. [Extracted from the article]

The food system encompasses a range of activities and processes involved in the production, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products. It is linked to the well-being of citizens, serving as a pathway for ensuring food security, promoting economic growth, and fostering sustainable development. However, the modern food systems face many challenges due to rapid globalization, population growth, and mounting environmental challenges. Kazakhstan, as a state with a rich agricultural heritage, is a major producer and exporter of agricultural commodities. With its rich agricultural potential and strategic geographic location, Kazakhstan is well-positioned to play a role in addressing the challenges, though, numerous economic, social, and environmental factors should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by economic expansion, urbanization, and population growth, the world is witnessing an escalating demand for water, energy, land, and food, posing substantial threats to the sustainable development of societies and economies. Given the intricate interdependencies inherent within the water–energy–land–food (WELF) system, it is imperative to conduct comprehensive assessments of the coupling coordination and sustainable development of the WELF system over long time scales and diverse characteristic dimensions. This study selects Hebei province, China, as the research region, constructing a comprehensive indicator system spanning from 1980 to 2020 using three dimensions: reliability (Rel), robustness (Rob), and equilibrium (Equ). The degree of coupling coordination (DCC) and sustainable development index (SDI) were developed using the comprehensive evaluation index and coupling coordination degree model. Additionally, the obstacle degree model and gray relational degree model were employed to assess the indicators that hinder or promote the SDI. The results indicate that: (1) The DCC (range of 0–1, bigger the better) of the WELF system increased from 0.65 to 0.75 between 1980 and 1998, then fluctuated between 0.75 and 0.69, stabilizing at a moderate level of coordinated development after 2015. (2) For the WELF system in Hebei, as Rel increased, Rob decreased, and Equ increased; similarly, as Rob increased, Equ also increased. (3) The SDI (range of 0–1, bigger the better) rose from 0.45 in 1980, initially increased, then decreased, and eventually stabilized. After 2014, it experienced rapid growth, reaching 0.54 by 2020, indicating an improvement in sustainable development capability. (4) Indicators related to the Equ dimension and the land subsystem were more critical limiting factors for SDI development, while indicators related to the Rel dimension and the food subsystem were more significant contributors to SDI development. These findings offer a scientific foundation and practical insights for Hebei and comparable regions, aiding in the resolution of resource conflicts, optimization of resource allocation, and enhancement of regional sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrying capacity for development refers to the maximum level of economic and social growth that an environment can support without experiencing significant degradation or collapse. This concept integrates environmental and socioeconomic dimensions to ensure sustainable development. In the present work, we have combined climate reanalysis data sets with environmental and socioeconomic indicators to develop a novel index, the Carrying Capacity Development Index (CCDI). Thus, the Human Modification Index (HMI) and the Vulnerability to Disasters Index (VDI) were examined as part of the socioeconomic dimension of the CCDI, while selected ERA5 land layers combined with Natura 2000 sites formed the environmental elements. The methodology is demonstrated in Greece, where economic development in sectors such as tourism, transport and energy are threatening fragile Mediterranean ecosystems. Three different weightings were analyzed, giving equal weight to environmental and socioeconomic factors, or giving more weight to either the environment, society or the economy. The results showed that the methodology has a minor sensitivity to weighting and highlighted areas where future development objectives should be focused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a guide for caring for the planet, guaranteeing the fundamental rights of its inhabitants and shaping sustainable economic growth. In the current context, characterised by great challenges and geopolitical conflicts, the figure of the CEO is key to driving the necessary transformation of companies and the prioritisation of their commitment to the current challenges of the world we live in. In this regard, the aim of this paper is to deepen current knowledge on the role of CEO visionary leadership in shaping inclusive and sustainable business models aligned with the goals of the 2030 Agenda. For the period 2019–2022, we study the information reported by the top 3910 companies worldwide on their contributions to the SDGs and analyse whether these commitments are determined by the structural power of the CEO within these companies. The results obtained confirm previous arguments, contradicting some of the previous evidence. In this sense, our findings show that the information disclosed by companies in relation to projects aligned with the SDGs is positively associated with leadership figures who wield power that allows them to influence the agenda and decisions made by the board of directors. The influence of leaders is reinforced in scenarios where companies excel in sustainability performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the economic impact of armed conflict in Afghanistan. During the armed conflict between 1978 and 2021, the country received $88 billion in official development assistance (ODA) and over $136 billion in war-induced USAID funding. We found that the one-year Afghan armed conflict, with an average of 17,661 battle-related deaths, increases the GDP per capita by at least 1.9%. Comparatively, a one-year US-led war relative to a USSR-led war increases the GDP per capita by at least 5.7%; in contrast, a one-year civil war reduces it by 4.1%. In addition, our cost estimation suggests that between 2002 and 2021, at least $40.9 ± 5% billion (45.9%) of the Afghan state budget is spent on war-related and war-affected institutions. This is equal to 1,062% of Afghanistan's total GDP in 2002 and 280% in 2021. Moreover, this study will be helpful in understanding the implications of the Sustainable Development Goals and achieving specific targets such as Goal 8 (economic growth) and Goal 16 (peace and inclusive societies) in Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economy has reported an unprecedented increase in growth rates over the last 2 decades, due to rapid evolution in transportation and communications. The rapid growth of international trade has increased the demand for fossil fuel, leading to exacerbated environmental risks. Air transportation is an essential operational practice in trade openness and has many economic benefits. However, its effect on CO2 emissions is not well understood. Studies on the causal relationships between air transportation, trade openness, economic growth, and CO2 emissions are lacking, especially across Middle Eastern countries. This study targets Saudi Arabia, one of the largest countries in the Middle East region in terms of economic capabilities and geographical area, to investigate the impact of air transportation, trade openness, and economic growth on CO2 emissions. To this end, data was derived from the World Development Indicators (WDI) established by the World Bank for the period 1991-2023. An autoregressive, distributed lag autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model was used to analyze associations among the study variables; the empirical findings confirm that air transportation, trade openness, and economic growth have positive and statistically significant effects on CO2 emissions in both long- and short-run scenarios. However, the results illustrate that economic growth alone is unable to sufficiently reduce CO2 emissions in Saudi Arabia, indicating a lack of connection between economic policies and environmental goals. Thus, these results indicate that the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is not valid for Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study provides useful insights for policymakers to mitigate CO2 emissions. Suggestions include attracting foreign investment, modifying the structure of trade, mitigating the reliance on imports and enhancing exports, while focusing on green strategies for economic growth, replacing fossil fuels with clean and renewable sources, subsidizing environmentally friendly technologies, and enacting decarbonizing regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Financial institutions operating in a stable financial system seem to be willing to support the realization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This view assumes that financial stability is crucial for sustainable development. We investigate the effect of financial stability on sustainable development. We use a unique financial stability index, sustainable development index and four SDG indicators. We analyse 26 countries from 2011 to 2018 using the system GMM method. The findings of the sustainable development index analysis show that financial stability has a significant effect on the level of sustainable development and the effect is negative in Asian countries. European and Asian countries have a high sustainable development index compared to African countries. The result of the individual SDG analyses show that financial stability has a significant effect on SDG3. Financial stability has a negative effect on SDG10 in Asian countries and a negative effect on SDG3 during periods of economic prosperity. Financial stability has a positive effect on SDG3 and SDG7 in countries where the banking system have high capital buffer. The results show that the effect of financial stability on sustainable development depends on how sustainable development is measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New generation' free trade agreements now include 'Trade and Sustainable Development' (TSD) chapters designed to improve environmental provisions within overall trading arrangements. The wide-ranging European Union (EU)-Japan agreement of 2018 represents the culmination of a trend towards the greater inclusion of such TSD elements, and, as it covers one-third of global GDP, the significance of this agreement for trading relations cannot be understated. Comparing it with other agreements involving Japan and the EU, I argue that greater attention to sustainable development in trade connections, notwithstanding tangible significant environmental improvements, further embeds an anthropocentric narrative of trade-environment linkages and supports a 'win–win' linkage between enhancing economic growth and ensuring environmental protections. Through an eco-centric critique, I seek to challenge the fundamental anthropocentric assumptions underpinning such inclusions and explore the ways in which the language of environmental protection and climate change has been depoliticised by a particular framing of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a panel data set comprising 284 prefecture‐level and above cities in China during 2005–2018, this study develops a theoretical mechanism harnessing the spatial Durbin model (SDM) to accumulate evidence and explain how innovation affects China's economic growth. It is found that regional economic growth is facilitated by local innovation activities as well as the absorption capacity of innovation and technology spilled over from other regions. This study also identifies 12 regional innovation poles across the country, which are found to have played a significant role in promoting urban economic development within a physical distance range of 150 km of a given region. This finding attests to the radiation effect from regional innovation poles in cultivating more such poles for China, to promote sustainable high‐quality economic growth, suggesting a route for China to avoid the curse of the middle‐income trap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging institutions have garnered signifi cant worldwide attention due to their unique characteristics and pivotal roles in fostering economic development. These institutions represent innovative economic models that have gained prominence in numerous countries, aiming to nurture emerging ventures and empower innovators. Like many nations, Algeria has adopted an alternative economic approach to achieve sustainable development and elevate the national economy. This approach prioritizes fostering creativity and innovation, enabling economic diversifi cation, and encouraging the establishing of emerging institutions. Algeria aims to drive the desired development and investment momentum by expanding business opportunities within a sound economic environment. This strategy is a viable alternative to wealth creation and economic expansion beyond the hydrocarbon sector and traditional economic rents. Hence, Algeria issued an arsenal of legal texts to encourage these institutions and open the door for those with innovative ideas to implement their ideas on the ground. Therefore, supporting emerging enterprises has become a priority for Algerian economic decision-makers to contribute to advancing development and enhancing local production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh, being the fastest growing economy in the South Asian region, necessitates a comprehensive study to evaluate the influence of various socio-economic factors. The primary objective of this study is to get a comprehensive understanding of the concept of sustainable development and its relationship to carbon emissions. This analysis will specifically consider the current status of economic and anthropogenic activities within the context of Bangladesh. This research examines the aforementioned matter by utilizing the latest accessible yearly data spanning from 1990 to 2020, as well as employing advanced econometric models including the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag approach and frequency domain causality test. The analysis of empirical data reveals that the economic growth experienced in Bangladesh has yielded a discernible and favorable influence on the degradation of the environment, in both the immediate and extended periods. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that the observed impact holds no statistical significance. Furthermore, it is apparent that energy consumption has a substantial impact on the escalation of carbon emissions, in both the immediate and prolonged periods. Additionally, the processes of industrialization and foreign direct investment have also exerted adverse effects on short-term carbon emissions. A frequency domain causality test is used in this work to do a robustness analysis and confirm that there are causal links between economic growth, energy use, development, and carbon emissions over a range of time frames, such as the short, middle, and long terms. The above studies have given us a lot of useful information about how economic growth, energy use, industrialization, and environmental sustainability all affect each other in Bangladesh. Bangladesh should prioritize the formulation of policies and regulations that are centered around specific goals. These objectives include: (a) enhancing government engagement in activities related to environmental innovation, (b) integrating ecologically sustainable development targets by adopting renewable energy sources, and (c) devising strategies and initiatives to attract foreign direct investment, facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote energy-efficient manufacturing to stimulate economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asia stands out as the most populous and geographically diverse region globally. The pressing issues of water resource development and the resulting ecological impacts are exacerbated by the region's rapid population growth and economic expansion. Groundwater, a vital source of water in Asia, faces significant disparities in distribution and suffers from unsustainable exploitation practices. This study applies groundwater system theory and categorizes Asia into 11 primary groundwater systems and 36 secondary ones, based on intercontinental geological structures, climate, terrain, and hydrogeological characteristics. As of the end of 2010, Asia's assessed groundwater resources totalled 4.677x109 m3/a, with exploitable resources amounting to 3.274x109 m3/a. By considering the geological environmental impacts of groundwater development and the distinctive characteristics of terrain and landforms, six categories of effect zones with varying distribution patterns are identified. The current research on Asia's groundwater resources, environmental dynamics, and human impacts aims to provide a theoretical foundation for sustainable groundwater management and environmental conservation in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research evaluates the effect of technological innovation distribution on the distribution of income using data from between 1992Q1 and 2019Q4 for the BRICS-T (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Turkey) nations. The BRICS-T nations present a good case for this research since this problem could be more widespread in developing countries with high prospects for economic growth. The quantile causality and quantile-on-quantile regression techniques have been used to evaluate this association. The research findings provide a range of outcomes from different countries, which can be grouped into three categories; (i) Technological innovation impacts income inequality positively. (ii) Technological innovation distribution impacts income inequality distribution negatively. (iii) The effects of technology innovation on income distribution are not evenly distributed. Significant policy ramifications are deduced that might inspire sustainable development plans in the BRICS-T nations. This research is one of the first studies to demonstrate a direct connection between income inequality and technological innovation across various quantiles within a country. The study also effectively shows how these techniques are utilized to deduce the policy ramifications of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unavoidable option for socially sustainable development is a low-carbon economy. One of the essential steps for China to attain high-quality development is reducing carbon emissions. It is necessary to realize low-carbon development in Sichuan, as it is not only an important economic zone but also an ecological protected area. The concurrent relationship among energy consumption, carbon emissions, and economic growth was examined in this study using the Tapio decoupling indicator, and the factors affecting energy consumption and carbon emissions in Sichuan were broken down using the logarithmic mean Divisia indicator (LMDI). The findings demonstrate a fundamental relative decoupling relationship between Sichuan's energy use and carbon emissions. Analysis of energy consumption and carbon emissions in Sichuan Province from 2005 to 2020 shows distinct patterns. From 2005 to 2012, in 2014, and from 2016 to 2020, the relationship between energy use and carbon emissions was relatively decoupled, with decoupling values ranging between 0 and 1. Absolute decoupling occurred in specific years: 2010, from 2013 to 2018, and in 2020. These periods are characterized by economic growth alongside reductions in carbon emissions. Factors affecting energy consumption and carbon emissions were consistently analyzed, showing similar impacts throughout the study periods. We find that population and economic growth are the main driving forces of these effects. The effects of energy intensity and industrial structure mainly play restraining roles, and the latter has a slightly weaker effect than the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry is supported by smart and green manufacturing, which have great potential to empower the nation's green development. This study examines the impact of the Made in China 2025 industrial policy on urban green economic growth. This study applies the super-slacks-based measure model to measure cities' green economic growth, using the double machine learning model, which overcomes the limitations of the linear setting of traditional causal inference models and maintains estimation accuracy under high-dimensional control variables, to conduct an empirical analysis based on panel data of 281 Chinese cities from 2006 to 2021. The results reveal that the Made in China 2025 strategy significantly drives urban green economic growth, and this finding holds after a series of robustness tests. A mechanism analysis indicates that the Made in China 2025 strategy promotes green economic growth through green technology progress, optimizing energy consumption structure, upgrading industrial structure, and strengthening environmental supervision. In addition, the policy has a stronger driving effect for cities with high manufacturing concentration, industrial intelligence, and digital finance development. This study provides valuable theoretical insights and policy implications for government planning to promote high-quality development through industrial policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For almost a decade, countries have been working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet progress on the SDGs across countries, as well as across the 17 goals, has proven frustratingly slow. Even countries that have performed relatively well on the SDGs may have done so by causing negative externalities, such as environmental degradation, in other parts of the world. To determine if this is the case empirically, we developed and tested hypotheses concerning how a country's SDG performance is associated with such externalities. We then ran a regression to examine correlations between indices measuring SDG progress, ecological footprints and international spillovers. We found that SDG progress is positively correlated with increased ecological footprints and spillovers. The results indicate that SDG progress remains closely associated with conventional measures of economic growth, and that negative environmental and social impacts of internationally-sourced consumption represent behavioural and structural barriers to meaningful progress on sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the intricate relationship between infrastructure development and regional disparities. Recognizing the pivotal role of infrastructure in catalyzing economic growth, this study investigates how uneven distribution and accessibility to infrastructure can exacerbate existing regional inequalities. Through an exploration of challenges and opportunities, the paper underscores the need for strategic planning and inclusive policies to ensure equitable infrastructure development. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, fostering a more balanced and sustainable trajectory of development. As nations globally prioritize infrastructure investments, understanding and addressing regional disparities become imperative for fostering inclusive and resilient societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a sustainable development model by examining the short‐run relationship, long‐run relationship and causality between renewable energy consumption and economic growth. We consider a sample of 142 countries for 1991–2019 and employ time series analysis. The study noticed the long‐run and short‐run relationship between economic growth and renewable energy consumption in the case of all Countries Groups and regions such as Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub‐Saharan Africa and low‐income economies. Overall, we conclude that renewable energy consumption positively influences economic growth, which can motivate countries to achieve sustainable development goals. A nation cannot only focus on economic development when growing environmental and climatic concerns exist. What is essential is the prioritisation of sustainable development goals. The constructed model will help the countries plan, modify and implement national and international sustainable development policies. The results will also be helpful to intergovernmental organisations for channelling countries' efforts towards sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragile ecosystems that are affected by erosion from high pollution environmental loads pose a serious threat to human health and well-being. The evaluation of regional environmental loads has become a major issue for eco-environmental conservation and management. As a key region in central China, Hubei Province relies on ecosystems and the environment, which offer an important foundation for sustainable development and continuous improvements in social productivity. For this study, seven influencing factors were selected, and a correlation degree model was applied to assess Hubei Province's environmental loads during the period from 1995-2019. The results show that the overall environmental loads exhibit a fluctuating decreasing trend in response to economic growth and development actions. Moreover, as eco-environmental pollution problems have been addressed and improved over time, the ecosystem operating status has been gradually optimized. Finally, the paper concludes with a proposal of specific measures designed to mitigate Hubei Province's ecological loading from the perspectives of industrial structure, public awareness and technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current situation of the Romanian economy must be understood beginning from the analysis of the main measures of fiscal-budgetary policy applied over the last years by the public authority. In general, the Romanian fiscal policy (before and after accession) was procyclical. However, we continue by presenting some of its characteristics for the past years when we underwent the last ascending phase of the economic cycle. Actually, Romania's GDP exceeded constantly the potential level, and the demand surplus became predominant, generating inflationary pressures. Maintaining the expansionist level of the fiscal policy, in the conditions of a positive deviation of GDP, as of 2017, and opting-out regarding the structural deficit target contributed to affecting the stability of public finances, on short-and medium-term. Romania entered into an extremely difficult economic context, generated by the pandemic, with an extremely narrow fiscal space which limited a lot the possibilities of combating the effects of the pandemic. In this paper we analyzed a period limited to the year 2020, because we consider this time as marking the end of an economic cycle in a period of peace and economic calm, as another is about to begin based on the new realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista UNISCI is the property of Unidad de Investigaciones Sobre Seguridad y Cooperacion International (UNISCI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As China's economy transitions from a stage of high-speed growth to a stage of high-quality development, the concept of low-carbon and green economic development has gained increasing popularity. Mastering the regional differences and changing patterns of low-carbon economy and economic growth quality is an important prerequisite for further promoting low-carbon economic development and improving the quality of economic growth. Taking the data of 21 prefecture-level cities in Guangdong Province from 2008 to 2019 as examples, we calculated the low-carbon economy and the quality index of economic growth, and analyzed the convergences between them through coefficient of variation analysis and a panel data convergence model with fixed effects. The results showed that: First, the convergence of low-carbon economy was better than the convergence of economic growth quality. Second, the low-carbon economy of Guangdong Province had σ convergence, and the imbalance between regions of low-carbon economy was alleviated, but the quality of economic growth of Guangdong Province did not have σ convergence. Third, there was absolute and conditional β convergence in the quality of low-carbon economy and economic growth in Guangdong Province. Fourth, the convergence rate of low-carbon economy in Guangdong Province showed "club difference"; the same was true of σ convergence, absolute β convergence, conditional β convergence, and dimensional convergence of economic growth quality in various regions of Guangdong Province. The exploration conducted in this article was conducive to better grasping the changing patterns of low-carbon economy and economic growth quality, enriching relevant research. The conclusions of this paper can provide decision-making basis for China to formulate urban and regional economic policies, achieve high-quality economic development, and "double carbon goal". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue economy approach to ocean governance promises environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable ocean-based economic growth. However, the blue economy has been inconsistently defined, interpreted, and applied, often leading to incompatibilities between the blue economy approach and existing ocean policies. We explore the blue economy in the Republic of Panama, where recent government commitments include designing and implementing a blue economy approach to ocean sector development. We use qualitative text analysis and a policy coherence assessment to examine the consistency of objectives across existing ocean policies in Panama and their compatibility with broader blue economy goals. Our results indicate that Panama's existing ocean policies address some blue economy goals but also reveal how policy coherence assessments and precise deliberation can inform a more contextually sensitive blue economy approach that aligns with existing ocean policies while also adding value to ocean governance and better integrating blue economy objectives. Findings suggest that Panama's existing ocean policies could better address social, environmental, and resource use objectives, without disregarding the need to reinforce economic and governance goals; elevating social objectives, especially social equity, can truly differentiate Panama's blue economy fromits current ocean governance approach. Finally, while we acknowledge that greater policy coherence can potentially increase the likelihood of attaining policy objectives, our findings show that coherence alone does not ensure their realization in practice. Our study contributes to blue economy scholarship by providing the first Latin America-based case study using policy coherence to assess compatibilities between existing ocean policies and a blue economy. Other countries seeking to transition to a blue economy could use our findings to inform the design of their approach and its integration with their existing ocean policy frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influx of international tourists may affect the economic growth of destination countries by influencing the quality of life (QoL) of residents, the effects of which are unclear ex ante. Therefore, this study utilises the autoregressive distributed lag model to examine tourism‐induced growth by taking into consideration the residents' QoL using Singapore as a case study. We also consider the factor of heterogeneous tourism demand by regions of origin in a market‐based analysis using seemingly unrelated regression, motivated by the assumption that consumers from different markets differ widely over their preferences. This study seeks to contribute to an understanding of tourism as a source of sustainable economic development and as such provides important policy implications for practitioners and scholars alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the relationship between the green economy, economic growth, and per capita income in Vietnam. It analyzes data from 1995 to 2022 on GDP, GDP per capita, and CO2 emissions to understand the quantitative relationship between these factors. The study finds that in the short term, there is a positive correlation between economic growth, CO2 emissions, and per capita income. However, in the long term, as GDP and per capita income reach a certain threshold, waste decreases and environmental quality improves. The article emphasizes the importance of promoting green economic growth in Vietnam through policies and investments in clean infrastructure and environmental protection. [Extracted from the article]