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The consistent rise of the per capita waste generation rate has led to an escalation of waste quantities and the need to expand waste disposal methods. Efforts to develop clean and affordable energy systems are increasingly linked to waste-to-energy as part of the transition to a circular economy (CE). A resource-efficient waste-to-energy business model within a CE offers a variety of environmentally friendly waste management options based on their overall environmental impacts but also makes efficient use of available resources and technologies to convert different types of waste into energy, which helps reduce the adverse effects on the environment and create additional energy sources. This research aims to identify innovative waste management solutions to foster the implementation of CE and a more resource-efficient business model. The research methodology is based on qualitative and quantitative research, triangulation, material flow assessment, and systems dynamics. The value of this study is within the analysis of existing waste-to-energy plant case studies to identify a set of recommendations and appropriate business models for the countries that are at an early stage of evaluation of such facilities. This study found that waste-to-energy plants are critical to achieving the EU's waste disposal targets by 2035. The findings highlight the importance of supporting mechanisms in the waste sector, such as structural funds, as the industry primarily focuses on societal health and safety and environmental protection, alongside resource efficiency and circularity potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate to what extent the construction and demolition waste generated by households is managed by the principles of circularity and to identify the main influencing factors in the behavior of households regarding the circularity-based management of construction waste in Latvia. The current research presents principles of circularity of household-generated waste based on a systematic literature review, and the data obtained from a survey were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. This study clarifies the circular economy rationale for construction and demolition waste (CDW) management in Latvia and proposes further development to promote the achievement of sustainable development goals and increased energy efficiency. The results reveal that the observance of circular economy principles in construction and demolition waste management among Latvian households does not correspond to good circular economy practices due to attitudes toward environmental issues, expenses, and logistics; thus, compliance with these principles and legislation as well as closer cooperation between municipalities and households can promote significant economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest studies reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed investors in developed economies to focus more on the value attached to environmental and social responsibilities. Unfortunately, socially responsible investment and compliance with environmental, social and governance criteria are not given enough priority in Latvia at present. The purpose of the study is to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the willingness of Latvians to invest in assets that meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and factors influencing investors' choice based on their financial literacy. Different views on sustainable investments, socially responsible investments and the relevance of environmental, social and governance criteria from private investors' perspectives were analyzed to identify factors influencing investment decisions in favour of sustainable investments. Quantitative analysis was carried out to reveal the regularities between financial literacy, the willingness to invest to meet the ESG criteria and the level of education and income of the Latvian population, as well as their savings/investment experience. Such statistical methods as descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were applied to perform an analysis of the results. The authors' findings include the importance of sustainable investing to Latvian society, changes of attitude towards ESG investing in different private investors' groups under the COVID-19 crisis, and the effects of these changes on the financial well-being of the population and, on the basis of these findings, have come to the conclusion that the willingness to invest in the assets that follow environmental, social and governance criteria depends on the level of education, savings/investment experience and income level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobility, its current state and development perspectives in the future creates challenges with respect to sustainability, the first of which is the uncontrolled increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the last few decades, while road transport is one of the "sinners" creating long-term negative impact. The second is the dominance of car travel and car usage in the passenger transportation segment before the latest COVID-19 pandemic accelerated environmental problems. Although recent trends show new, greener patterns in consumption, there is still a relatively low share of consumers acknowledging the importance of sustainable and green preferences. This research study aims to investigate car sharing from users' perspectives and to determine the most significant factors influencing their choice of sharing services to ensure upscaling of car sharing and, thus, contribute to urban sustainability. This research study contributes to the overall scientific discussion on car sharing and its role within urban sustainability, particularly with the following: (1) deeper investigation of car sharing and its users motivation perspectives in Latvia; (2) analyses of the most significant motivational factors for car-sharing users and aspects of sustainability; and (3) the insight into the generational differences triggering a number of car-sharing users. The existing and potential users of car sharing were surveyed in order to determine the motivational factors for its usage and attitudes towards it. Socio-demographic variables in statistical analysis were used to identify economic and environmental factors that meaningfully influence the choice of car-sharing services. The results of this study can support further development in new car-sharing business models and the value proposition for consumers in Latvia, as well as preparing policy recommendations on the promotion of sustainable transport. These findings are also useful to academics for the investigation of recent trends in car sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of SMEs to economic growth is supported by the development of the sharia economy by the government, making SMEs one of the main pillars in Indonesia's economic development. This study aimed to analyze the influence of the digital economy, financial literacy, human capital, the role of Islamic financial institutions, government support for strengthening the Islamic economy and the Islamic financial performance of SMEs in Makassar City, Indonesia. This study used a quantitative method with a survey approach. Data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to 350 respondents with a sampling method. The results of this study indicated that the strengthening of the sharia economy, the Islamic financial performance of SMEs, economic digitalization and financial literacy are determined by factors of human capital, the role of Islamic financial institutions and government support. Regarding human capital, the roles of Islamic financial institutions and government support affect the Islamic financial performance of SMEs with a coefficient of determination of 58.5%. Human capital, the role of Islamic financial institutions, government support and financial performance have a positive correlation with the strengthening of the sharia economy with a coefficient of determination of 71.6%. This study supports the improvement of government policies and the construction of financial facilities in improving the Islamic financial performance of SMEs and encourages the strengthening of the sharia economy in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The limitation of this research is that the research object was only carried out on SMEs in Makassar City; thus, similar research can be increased at the national level to describe the strengthening of the sharia economy and the improvement of the financial performance of SMEs as a whole in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]