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The COVID-19 pandemic has left significant consequences at every level of education, including adult education. In order to adapt to the restriction caused by the pandemic, adult education institutions all around the world were forced to transform the way how the educational process was being organized. By introducing various web-related technologies, the physical place of teaching and learning processes has become a less significant factor, thereby, potentially, contributing to the inclusiveness of education and, as a result, to sustainable development. The paper aims to analyze how the recent transformation of adult education caused by the pandemic between 2020 and 2022 contributed to the sustainable development of Latvia. To achieve the aim, the following research methods are used: a scientific literature review to investigate the concepts of sustainable development and online adult education as well as their potential correlation, a survey of adult education institutions in Latvia, as well as statistical data analysis of adult education indicators. The main findings of the article: during the pandemic when the in-person teaching process was restricted, the Latvian adult education sector experienced unprecedented digital transformation. The transformation positively contributed to the improvement of not only the digital skills of teachers and learners but also to the sustainable development of Latvia by facilitating access to potential learners living in rural areas and regions.

Education is the core of the factors that improved people for a better lifestyle and increases the level of society' development. Quality education is one of the most vital goals of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to actualizing these factors. Using relational network data envelopment analysis (DEA), which have three interrelated substages, this current paper computes the educational economy efficiency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries bearing in mind the characteristics related to SDGs. The contribution of our study is the use of a novel approach to computing the educational economy efficiency using relational network DEA with GAMS. Even though some interesting differences reveal in the efficiency of the countries, the findings show that countries with high-efficiency scores are clustered around countries like Latvia, Slovenia, and Korea.

Recent tendencies in education highlight the need to align the system of general education in Latvia with the tenets of sustainability. In keeping with this broad target orientation, this paper re-examines international and Latvian experiences and perspectives on the application of a holistic approach to the content of primary education. This review of good practice is set against the backdrop of different theories and approaches concerned with the essence and principles of holism. More specifically, the paper addresses the issue of ensuring successful acquisition of musical cultural values in primary school via a holistic approach. In this regard, the latter is construed as movement towards the new that facilitates positive attitudes towards musical cultural values among learners and is both physically and spiritually nurturing. The paper proposes a theoretically and empirically grounded model for the usage of a holistic approach with a view to enabling acquisition of musical cultural values in primary school. The gradual development of the model is traced in the course of theoretical and empirical inquiry, the latter involving a survey and an interview with five experts.

Sustainable education and education for sustainable development (ESD) have witnessed a deserved number of research studies in the recent years. The present article proposes a holistic research framework for the research on sustainable education and education for sustainable development in the 21st century. The article aims to choose a more holistic research perspective by avoiding a piecemeal approach in education research. Moreover, it proposes some strategically important ideas about the use of approaches and methods for sustaining the generational readiness for sustainable development. The paper proposes a general framework for pedagogy and practice for ESD research which is open, holistic, strategic, sustainable, and integrated. A broader perspective has been developed as the relation of the ecological-cultural-social environment aspects seen in a broader adaptive evolutionary sense as a condition necessary for the development of a human species and the development of these conditions in the evolutionary process. The choice of a broader perspective is proposed by relating it to an observational study on Generation Z that many educators, social scientists and the populations have already started recognising as one of the participants in the intergenerational process. The phenomenon of Generation Z is new; its features have not fully revealed in their apparent form, yet. Furthermore, the generation has not reached its maturity yet, but the development of this phenomenon is inextricably related to the issue of generational commitment, which is also related to the evolutionary development. The observational study has been carried out by involving participants from VECC Daugavpils Vocational School. The evaluation of the participants' real experience in a wider and broader framework has been used to draw strategic conclusions, which will help keep focus on the need to sustain generational readiness for sustainable development in the harmonisation of the choice of pedagogical approaches and methods.

Considering the gender identity as a crucial aspect of the culture that shapes our daily life and recognising the research gap on this topic in the context of sustainable education, the paper describes the quantitative cross-sectional study on gender identity of students and teachers comparing the respondents by their age and sex. Three age groups (106 female and 62 male) participated in the study: 18-19-years-old pupils from comprehensive and vocational schools (n=59), 20-15-years-old university students (n=52) and 24-64-years-old teachers working at respective schools and universities (n=57). The original Bem Sex Role Inventory was administered to measure the individual gender identity types of masculinity, femininity, and androgyny. The majority of respondents from all age and sex groups described themselves as androgynous. Male and university students featured the scattering of scores more toward masculinity, while the scores of female, pupils, and teachers were more inclined toward femininity. No statistically significant differences were found among the three age groups, while sex appeared to be more influential factor causing significant differences between male and female in terms of gender identity with male's inclination toward masculinity and female's inclination toward femininity. Dominance of androgynous individuals challenges the current approaches to the gender education in the context of sustainable development.

The aim of the paper is to present the results of the research on highlighting values related to sustainable development in Poland and Latvia by secondary school teachers and to compare two models by the use of action research. The research is presented as a process of identifying values mainly from the point of view of social development which is an important component of sustainable development. The research results presented below provide a picture of a comparison between Polish and Latvian secondary school teachers' views on values related to sustainable development and the process of values education. The paper is based on the doctoral thesis of the author.

Purpose: This paper aims to reveal, and contribute to an understanding of, the processes that connect learning and innovation networks in sustainable agriculture to elements of the mainstream agricultural regime. Drawing on the innovations and transition literature, the paper frames the analysis around niche-regime interaction using the notion of niche-regime compatibility. Design/Methodology/Approach: 17 Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture (LINSA) engaged in agricultural food production, non-food and rural development were analyzed. In line with the project's transdisciplinary approach data were collected in a series of participatory workshops. Findings: Five modes of LINSA-regime interaction are distinguished based on compatibility. The level of LINSA-regime compatibility influences the extent of the diffusion of LINSA ideas and practices into the regime. However, interaction processes within these modes reveal multiple and diverse connections between LINSA and regime entities suggesting a more complex relationship exists. Practical implications: A range of connecting processes and activities (for example, certification, exemption from regulation, facilitation of networking) can bring about effective LINSA-regime interaction and could be externally supported. Originality/Value: Empirical evidence from 17 case studies provides valuable insights from a number of different contexts across Europe. By directing analysis of interaction at the level of LINSA (niche project), rather than at the macro level, the study offers an original perspective. It suggests that the transition to sustainable agriculture might be understood as a complex of interactive processes leading to a series of adaptive changes, rather than as regime change.

Civic participation, initiative and interest in current events can bridge the alienation felt towards national and municipal institutions, thereby enabling individuals to improve their quality of life and contribute to all-round sustainable development of their resident state. This paper reports on a participatory action research study into civic initiatives for securitability involving novice teachers and youngsters from the Latgale region of Latvia. Research participants evaluated national planning documents, enhanced their knowledge and devised civic initiatives to improve the quality of life. Focus group discussions and reasoned argumentative essays were employed to establish how novice teachers (n = 40) and youngsters (n = 58) make sense of the concept of "human securitability". Data analysis was accomplished by qualitative content analysis. The action research exposed an initial understanding of novice teachers and youngsters regarding the human securitability and the possibilities of improving the quality of life. Moreover, this study provided an environment for the research participants to deepen their understanding of said phenomena and participate in educational events envisioning practical engagement with securitability and civic initiatives. The action research study created initiatives for the development of civic securitability and the participation in setting developmental goals.

The paper provides an insight into the results of a lesson designed and carried out at Riga Construction College in the study subject "Building Constructions". The aim of this study is to better understand the impact of learning environment reorganisation into juvenile groups while teaching technical study subjects. In particular, the research conducted at this vocational secondary school focused upon introducing a particular form of integrative collaboration amongst the learners. Criteria were developed to respond to the question: How is the organisation of the learning process based on the Learners' Integrative Collaboration Model changing? A formative teaching experiment, which analyses learners' integrative collaboration through structured observation at the beginning and end of the acquisition of the study subject "Building Constructions" points at positive changes associated with the model's criteria: working in a team, mutual learning, business communication and creativity action.

This paper focuses on the expansion of design-oriented pedagogy that encourages approaching global phenomena such as sustainable development from the perspective of local environments, cultures and associated ways of doing things. It aims to determine how project members and teachers from eight different European countries (n = 221) who had participated in the project "Case Forest--pedagogy towards sustainable development" experienced the pedagogical model and evaluated its usability from the perspectives of their own educational cultures. The main sources of both theory and data-driven qualitative content analysis are the reports obtained from each country and transcripts of the oral presentations and collaborative discussions. The results indicate that the teachers find current school practices, belief systems and traditional teaching models problematic and see the model as one way to change their schools' practices towards sustainable learning.

How do people learn about the environment and behave accordingly? What is the cognitive process at the base of this learning mechanism? The present paper is a pilot work investigating the dynamics of individual environmental knowledge on the basis of social capital theory. Using Tsai and Ghoshal's findings, a well known framework widely accepted in organizational studies which supports the existence of a relationship between structural, relational and cognitive dimensions of social capital, and between social capital and knowledge exchange, these dynamics are then tested in the context of environmental behaviour studies. The quantitative analysis is carried out by means of a structural equation model based on data collected in the Republic of Latvia. Results support main theoretical hypotheses, but several effects are found to be highly sensitive to control variables (residence place dimensions, ethnic affiliation, age, personal income), leading to hypothesise a strong dependency of environmental learning patterns on the socio-demographic, socio-economic and cognitive context.

For the last few decades, there has been an ongoing academic debate about the integration of sustainability into the curricula of higher education institutions to address various global challenges. Legal education is no exception. Taking into consideration that the new generation of legal professionals will be responsible for the development of regulations as well as for advocating for the individuals' interests related to global issues, they need to be equipped with knowledge and skills to tackle these complex problems effectively. In this context, teachers1 play a crucial role, since they can instill in their students a sense of responsibility towards the future generations. The aim of this paper is to analyze how the concept of sustainability can be integrated into the curriculum of legal education in general and in Latvia in particular. To achieve the aim, the following research methods are used: legal analysis to examine the meaning and the place of the concept of sustainability in the context of legal education in Latvia and a scientific literature review to investigate the concept of sustainability in the context of integrating it into the curriculum of legal education. The main conclusions of the article: the future strategy for law schools and law faculties in Latvia should involve the incorporation of sustainability into the learning outcomes of law programs and specific courses, teaching strategies, and research opportunities for students; also, by broadening interdisciplinarity of the programs and involving students in collaboration with various stakeholders to promote sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baltic and Black Sea Circle Consortium for educational research (BBCC) was established at the beginning of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005). BBCC has obtained its name in the "Third International Conference Sustainable Development, Culture, Education, in the University of Vechta" (Germany, 2005). The paper will give insights into "preconditions" of the establishment of the international network in: (1) the stage before the Decade (2000-2004) when the UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair from Toronto and team from Daugavpils University from Latvia were started to prepare participatory action research for the reorientation teacher education towards the aim of sustainable development and (2) the stage of the Decade (2005-2014) when the network and its development continued as an open network for participation. The structure of the network provides the international environment for cooperation and welcomes new participants. The initiative of the network's foundation was offered by the UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair in Toronto. For the coordination the BBCC actions and self-development the Institute of Sustainable Education (2003) was established in Daugavpils University (DU) and later UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair on Interplay of Tradition and Innovation in ESD were emerged at Daugavpils University (2013). Action research experience was viewed in current article as a complex development process and at the same time as a complex system in which attention on the adaptation and evolution of cooperative relations will be emphasis. Metaphors approach and characterisation of frames of references for reorientation education towards sustainability will be examine in order to find the answers that allow realising reorienting of teacher education towards sustainable development. The analysis will be based on the topics which were discussed in annual BBCC conference "Sustainable Development, Culture, Education" sections. Conclusions will offer main assumptions from the most significant BBCC network lived experiences in teacher education which is the real heritage from ANO Decade and in future it will serve as the frame of reference for realization of UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair in DU and BBCC actions in education and educational research for sustainable development in action.

Purpose: This study aims to examine and analyse data relating to cultural heritage, smart tourism and smart tourism tools for preserving cultural heritage in the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a qualitative review of data from National tourism board web sites, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, and the European Heritage Label sites. The paper analyses various sources in terms of cultural heritage and smart tourism and examines different ways of applying smart tourism tools to cultural heritage. Findings: The findings show that smart tourism, and especially the preservation of cultural heritage in the Baltic states, is not a new thing, and it is rapidly progressing by inventing new technological tools for tourists to use and as well by digitising cultural heritage. Comprehensive examination of three countries shows that there is significant potential already and that there is a way to grow further for each of the countries by applying new technological tools for preservation of a cultural heritage. Originality/value: The paper reviews data on cultural heritage and smart tourism tools in the Baltic states where it already plays a steady and significant role. Specifically, it contributes to recognition of each of the states on a global level in terms of variety of cultural heritage that is being preserved and digitalised. The originality of the paper is determined by the assessment of the smart tools used for cultural tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste management system is a complex system involving numerous waste streams, collection schemes, treatment processes and various actors. Bus as well as many other systems, waste management is recently experiencing new and more sustainable development trends including the promotion of circular economy and increased material recycling. Hence there is a need for the implementation of an improved waste management system that requires a significant and thorough planning stage, the results of which will significantly depend on the availability of detailed information of the possible waste flows and waste composition. The aim of this paper is to experimentally determine and analyse the composition of unsorted municipal waste to provide assessment for incorporating waste composition analysis into further planning and modelling of a next generation waste management system in Latvia. The experimental results indicate that the unsorted municipal waste stream comprises of up to 32.9 % of recyclable materials and 29.2 % of biodegradable wastes. Thus almost 60 % of the waste currently being subjected to unsorted waste management system in Latvia could potentially be source separated ensuring higher quality of the recovered materials and promoting circular value chains. The results indicate a slight difference between waste composition in different waste management regions, thus noting that, in addition to the number of inhabitants and their habits, the local system in each waste management region may influence the composition of the collected wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite unanimity in the literature that eco-innovation (EI) leads to sustainable development, evidence remains limited on measuring EI efficiency with the Malmquist productivity index (MPI). In conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models, decision-making units (DMUs) are inclined to assign more favorable weights, even zero, to the inputs and outputs to maximize their own efficiency. This paper aims to overcome this shortcoming by developing a common set of weights (CSW). Design/methodology/approach: Using goal programming, this study develops a CSW model to evaluate the EI efficiency of the organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries and track their changes with MPI during 2010–2018. Findings: Achieving a complete ranking of DMUs, findings show the higher discrimination power of the proposed CSW compared with the original DEA models. Furthermore, results reveal that Iceland, Latvia and Luxembourg are the only OECD countries that have incessantly improved their EI productivity (MPI > 1) from 2010 to 2018. On the other hand, Japan is the OECD country that has experienced the highest yearly EI efficiency during 2010–2018. This paper also found that Iceland has the highest MPI over 2010–2018. Practical implications: More investment in environmental research and development (R&D) projects instead of generic R&D enables OECD members to realize more opportunities for sustainable development through minimizing energy use and environmental pollution in any form of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Originality/value: In addition to developing a novel common weights model for DEA-MPI to measure and evaluate the EI of OECD countries, this paper develops a CSW model by including the undesirable outputs for EI analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic has left significant consequences at every level of education, including adult education. In order to adapt to the restriction caused by the pandemic, adult education institutions all around the world were forced to transform the way how the educational process was being organized. By introducing various web-related technologies, the physical place of teaching and learning processes has become a less significant factor, thereby, potentially, contributing to the inclusiveness of education and, as a result, to sustainable development. The paper aims to analyze how the recent transformation of adult education caused by the pandemic between 2020 and 2022 contributed to the sustainable development of Latvia. To achieve the aim, the following research methods are used: a scientific literature review to investigate the concepts of sustainable development and online adult education as well as their potential correlation, a survey of adult education institutions in Latvia, as well as statistical data analysis of adult education indicators. The main findings of the article: during the pandemic when the in-person teaching process was restricted, the Latvian adult education sector experienced unprecedented digital transformation. The transformation positively contributed to the improvement of not only the digital skills of teachers and learners but also to the sustainable development of Latvia by facilitating access to potential learners living in rural areas and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the factors responsible for the gradual increase in greenhouse gas [e.g. carbon dioxide (CO2)] emissions is crucial to reduce the detrimental consequences on environmental sustainability and human life. Accordingly, spotting the sectors which contribute the most to CO2 emissions and dampen economic growth have become one of the major concerns for policymakers around the globe. Against this background, this paper examines the nexus between economic growth and CO2 emissions in three Baltic countries namely Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Thus, the study basically checks the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis by taking into account the role of energy consumption and financial development over the period of 1990–2018. This type of study is highly important for the region in order to comply with the commitments of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The study first employs appropriate testing procedures and second-generation panel data methods to account for cross-sectional dependency and slope heterogeneity among countries. Applying unit roots and cointegration tests, the study then employed different mean group estimation models and heterogeneous panel causality methods suitable for cross-sectionally dependent and heterogeneous panels. The results of the econometric analyses reveal that the inverted U-shaped EKC hypothesis does not hold in the Baltic countries. But the pollution haven hypothesis is evidenced to hold for these nations. By boosting the CO2 emissions figures, again, the study also revealed that higher levels of energy consumption exhibit adverse environmental consequences. Financial development is found to be effective in explaining the variations in the CO2 emission figures of the selected countries as well. Causality test results confirm bi-directional causality between economic growth and CO2 emissions, energy use and CO2 emissions, CO2 emissions and financial development, energy use and economic growth as well as between energy use and financial development. Furthermore, country-specific impacts are found to be similar to the corresponding panel estimates. Consistent with the findings, the study finally puts forward some policy-level suggestions. Accordingly, it is recommended that the Baltic countries need to move away from fossil-fuel dependent energy consumption growth policies to mitigate environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New district heating system technologies have arisen in the last years to deliver economic and environmental benefits to residential and commercial buildings. The extensive ranges of equipment, energy sources, temperature profile configurations, size of the network, energy demand, and many other intrinsic variables, make it difficult to identify if a determined district heating option is potentially better than another in environmental terms. As for the economic evaluation, there are several tools decision-makers can rely on to assess environmental performance. The main challenge is to provide a holistic point of view for which lifespan and complexity of implementable, new technological systems can be an obstacle. For this reason, in this paper, a Life Cycle Assessment is performed upon a technical evaluation of several district heating configuration options for the Gulbene region in Latvia, where DH systems in most of the assessed parishes are already operating under medium temperature regimes, also known as third-generation district heating. The goal of the study is to understand the environmental impact of moving from the current DH system to a low temperature one. Results show a considerable environmental benefit if low-temperature profiles, combined with the use of renewable energy sources are adopted in the current DH systems. A hotspot analysis is also performed showing the use stage is the one carrying most of the burden across the project's lifetime, followed by infrastructure construction; also showing that the refurbishment of buildings does not play a major role in the total environmental impact contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental concern has become the top trend nowadays and the ideas of environmental protection, green orientation and green innovation, highly concern from the last few decades in all research areas. The construction industry is one of those that has a very strong impact on the environment. Air, water, noise and vibration, as well as soil pollution caused during construction processes, negatively impact on the environment and its natural ecosystems, as well as on humans at a global level. Construction waste generated during the construction, renovation and demolition process occupies huge landfills due to significant volumes. It may also contain substances that are hazardous to the environment and human health. This paper summarizes the research results on the possibilities for more efficient construction waste management as well as the experience of companies operating in the construction sector with a purpose to reduce the causes of pollution. The data obtained within the framework of the survey on people's understanding in the field of construction pollution and waste in Latvia have been analyzed. The main goal of the study is to present the main findings of the authors' survey and to discuss the current construction waste management challenges and potential innovations in Latvia. The authors used the following research methods: literature review, analysis of statistical data; questionnaire creation and conduction a survey; interviews with waste management companies. The research was conducted during the period from October 2019 to July 2020. The obtained results showed that there was a huge potential for innovation because the current situation was far from ideal. The results of an empirical analysis demonstrated that the collection of sorted construction waste on construction sites currently was practically impossible, as the industry points to the human factor in the waste sorting process. Although the data obtained within the framework of the survey clearly indicated the interest of employees in sorting construction waste already on the construction site, waste industry companies currently consider such a practice impossible also due to the influence of other side factors related to economic considerations. It is necessary to develop a normative framework for the implementation of the construction waste certification system to promote the reuse of construction waste in construction as efficiently as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driving factors and implications of foreign direct investments were widely discussed during the latest decade. Anyway, impression remains that due to the specifics of that type of investment, misinterpreting of their economic composition is rather frequent than rare. Hence, the paper starts with detailed classification of investment types. The next part of the paper is devoted to a review of approaches to FDI driving factors and outcomes. Finally, current trends of foreign capital flows in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are being observed and evaluated. Novel insights about new consistent patterns of foreign capital directions are being provided. The paper is being finalized by indicating contemporary implications of FDI withdrawal for host country related to its further secure and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is a literature and experience summary about contradictions existing in higher education, nowadays. Thus, it is important to understand the underlying reasons and historical background to find ability to move towards higher education system for sustainability. Seven main contradiction groups have been distinguished and an overview is given in the article. The analysis is more focused on a situation in Latvia and the postsoviet space since the authors are well acquainted with the system. The main future research object is university mission, since from the mission statement analysis it has been found that low rated universities lack the distinction between education and training, having bigger stress on training, and that is growing into future problems and this situation interferes with the sustainable education goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latvia is covered by the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and therein 80 participants from Latvia have participated. The goal of the paper is to analyse the impact of the EU ETS on the sustainable development of its participants in Latvia. The concept of sustainable development is explored with respect to both macro and micro scale and in the context of sustainable development the EU ETS is described. The impact of the EU ETS on its participants in Latvia is considered by means of methods of quantitative and qualitative analysis. It has been established that in past the participants of the EU ETS from Latvia had generally beneficial positions in the EU ETS; hence although the EU ETS did not directly promote greenhouse gas emission reductions, it provided opportunities to gain additional profits and many of the EU ETS participants in Latvia made use of them. In addition, certain interrelationships have been identified between the data on the EU ETS participants performing EUA trading and the data on the EU ETS participants not performing EUA trading. It has been concluded that the EU ETS might have contributed towards the sustainable development of its participants in Latvia within its certain dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the environmental impact assessment of power energy projects in Latvia. Every industrial activity and procedure influences the environment and climate change: each to a lesser or greater extent. In Latvia, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure has been carried out for more than ten years, and during these years numerous impact assessments have been conducted. The main purpose of the EIA is to assess the possible impacts of the implementation of an intended activity, or planning document, on the environment and to consequently develop proposals for the prevention or minimization of negative effects. In turn, the project shall avert violation of the requirements specified in the regulatory enactments. Currently, particular global attention, including in Latvia, is being paid to two aspects of the energy crisis – energy dependency and climate change. The global experience has proven that with an increase in the consumption of energy, a deficiency of energy resources occurs. In this situation, public officials have increased the import of energy resources, rather than encourage a reduction of consumption. Consequently, the state becomes more dependent on imported energy resources. At the same time, scientists are researching alternative energy resources, and the development of new technology. Latvia is a country with limited resources. The development of the national economy is unthinkable without an increase in the production sector. In turn, the development of the production sector is connected with the intensification of production capacity and the resulting consequences to the environment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a literature review and a case study. Findings – The power industry in Latvia has acquired a stable position in the national economy. It is necessary to elaborate the common approach of EIA power projects. During the process of impact assessment, principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) should be implemented, which enhance the quality and efficiency of the EIA. The use of LCA principles in the process of the EIA will allow the assessment of the designed activities and environmental impact of proposed alternatives to have greater objectivity. Originality/value – The work concludes with suggestions on how to include the principles of LCA in the EIA procedure. This is to improve the impact assessment of energy projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presented paper aims to estimate and compare sustainable development processes in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia after the European Union accession. Data embracing the 2004-2008 period is being analysed. Authors take into account that different approaches to countries' development assessment might affect their comparison results. In order to obtain a multi-faceted view, several variants of sustainable development estimations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are being performed. Each variant represents a different approach to development perception. The difference lies in emphasis, which is being put on economic and institutional aspects of development. Juxtaposition of development estimation variants is expected to reveal range, within which the resulting index fluctuates and impacts ranging of countries. Integrated complex countries' development index is computed by using multi-criteria method. Authors of the paper compose a system of indicators, which is being employed for research purposes. Corollaries of investigation let us judge how much Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian ranking according to estimated development level differs due to variations of approaches applied, and how sensitive calculations are to institutional performance and current economic downturn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws attention to building networking and partnership amongst the market players of tourism industry in Latvia. The authors define cooperation as a process, which manifests in all fields of business operations, e.g. it occurs when two or more parties (enterprises) have business objectives which are mutually dependent. There are many ways and forms of cooperation that are of choice for every entrepreneur — formal and informal, vertical and horizontal, centralised and decentralised and others; it is just needed to evaluate all the benefits and contributions when to choose to compete and when to cooperate. [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]

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Overcoming the challenges of Covid-19, every person at an educational institution has faced changes in the workplace environment from working time, scope and content to the transformation of psychological, emotional and physical relationships. The attractiveness factors of workplace environment are essential in thinking of, developing and accepting sustainable attitude, sustainable education and sustainable development in everyday life. The aim of the article is to present the results of the research on the attractiveness factors of workplace environment and organizational culture of educational institutions from the point of view of teachers and heads of educational institutions, evaluating them in the context of sustainable development of education, based on theoretical analysis of literature sources and empirical research. Quantitative research method – survey – was used in the study. 97 participants (teachers (n=84) and heads of educational institutions (n=13)) from different educational institutions of one of the biggest cities in Latvia, Daugavpils, took part in the study. The data were processed in accordance with research ethics and personal data protection, visualized on the basis of numerical data units. The gained data indicate that the most important factors for the attractiveness of the workplace environment for both teachers and heads of educational institutions are relationships, work fit and security. Respondent groups cite 'responsibility' and 'location' as the least important factors in making the workplace environment attractive. Workplace attractiveness factors are a combination of workplace environment and organizational culture, and they are interrelated concepts. The results of the study show that both teachers and heads of educational institutions value an innovative culture in the organization that is characterized by the following statements: 'willing to take risks, a result-oriented, creative, stimulating, challenging' and they appreciate a supportive culture in the organization that is characterized by the statements 'willing to cooperate, encouraging and sociable, recognizing personal freedom'. There are statistically significant differences in opinions on the attractiveness of the workplace environment (such as 'contribution', 'recognition', 'innovation' and 'responsibility') among teachers and heads of educational institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of the European Union's (EU) gas sector and gas distribution systems in particular is under review as a necessity to move away from conventional natural gas is strictly outlined in its strategical energy framework. The main questions of future gas sector layout are largely related to gas decarbonization paths – whether they will include simultaneous transportation, distribution and storage of methane-based and non-methane based renewable gases or not. In general, this question is left for different Member States to decide, because as alternatives to it there are two options – decommissioning of all gas distribution and partially gas transportation and storage systems on the one hand and total replacement of existing gas transportation system with brand new hydrogen transportation and distribution system on the other. The first option leaves only liquified renewable gases (including, hydrogen) that are transported via truck and the second – pipeline transportation and distribution only for hydrogen, limiting methane-based renewable gases to road transportation solutions only. The Latvian gas distribution system is also facing imminent transformation in foreseeable future; thus, at the moment its sustainability priority is the maintenance of the existing system in a safe and secure manner by improving it in accordance with technical necessities and immediate customer requests. The current research shows two sides of gas distribution system priorities in Latvia – its maintenance and development trends prior to fundamental transformations of gaseous fuel transition and general transitional challenges laying ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioeconomy is considered a means to achieving a climate-neutral economy as aimed for in the EU Green Deal. For Latvia, the forest-based bioeconomy has the potential to contribute to this aim. An operational definition of the forest-based bioeconomy is needed to calculate its size. This research aims to provide such a defi- nition and to determine the contribution of the forest-based bioeconomy to GDP, employment, and greenhouse gas emissions. The direct and indirect contribution of the forest-based bioeconomy to economic indicators and climate change is identified using an input-output model. The results of the model show that the forest-based bioeconomy contributes 6.4% to GDP and 6.6% to total employment in Latvia. The contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is 4.9%. Furthermore, if CO2 sequestration is included, the forest-based bioeconomy becomes climate neutral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to estimate and to compare sustainable development processes in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia focusing on institutional dimension of sustainable development. Attention has been focused on the selection of system of indicators with particular emphasis on institutional indicators. The authors employ the most popular two multicriteria methods: Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and multi-criteria complex proportional method (MCP). Data embracing 2004-2010 year period is being analyzed. In order to obtain a multi-faceted view, several variants of sustainable development estimations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are being performed. Each variant represents a different approach to development perception. The difference lies in emphasis, which is being put on the economic and institutional aspects of development. Hypothesis has been raised that the different methods employed may affect comparison results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to assess how the indicator sets presently used to monitor sustainable development in the European Union (EU) and Latvia reflect resource consumption and the production and use of anthropogenic substances. Design/methodology/approach - The study was conducted by analyzing different sources as well as statistical information on development character in Latvia and human impact at first in respect to use of chemicals. Findings - Many of the analyzed sustainable development indicators related to resource consumption interpret a reduction in consumption as a negative phenomena and thus contradictory to sustainability. The only relevant EU and Latvian indicator related to the use of anthropogenic substances is production of toxic chemicals. The EC Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation is being implemented in the EU in an attempt to ensure the safety of chemicals through the whole chemical supply chain. Practical implications - A sustainable development indicator should consider, the decrease in resource consumption as a positive trend. As an important aspect at the assessment of sustainability is monitoring of use of chemical substances. In Latvia, the information on production, import, distribution and use of chemical substances is dispersed between several institutions and thus an overall picture is lacking. As the REACH regulation requires registration of chemical substances exceeding certain quantities, there is a necessity to elaborate an approach to identify such substances. Enterprises that already provide data on chemicals to responsible authorities are important for a targeted enforcement of REACH requirements in Latvia. The existing approach of chemical substance management represents an attempt to manage point sources of anthropogenic substances with little attention being devoted to the more numerous small diffuse sources, which could be the hidden part of the iceberg. The limited access to compiled data on chemical substances within REACH makes it difficult to use it as a warning sign in political or public discussions regarding one of the central aspects of sustainability. Originality/value - One of the main risks to global sustainability is the exceedance of the Earth's carrying and assimilative capacity through excessive resource consumption and anthropogenic loading. In the analyzed EU and Latvia, sustainable development indicator sets the reduction in consumption is frequently interpreted as a negative trend thus making the overall assessment regarding resource consumption inconclusive. As long as gross domestic product as a major indicator for macro-economic activity does not reflect environmental sustainability and well-being and society does not adequately value natural and human resources and until more comprehensive indicators are developed which better take into account social and environmental aspects, striving for economic growth will be the main cause of resource overconsumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable economic development is driven by sustainable entrepreneurial activities, generated by the personal attitudes of entrepreneurs. The present and future of sustainable entrepreneurship are shaped by the youth, including students, which is why it is important to understand their attitudes towards this type of entrepreneurship. Therefore, the key goal of the research is to evaluate the attitudes and behaviours of the youth towards sustainability issues and sustainable entrepreneurship. The current article reflects the results of the second research stage and aims at evaluating attitudes towards sustainable entrepreneurship among Latvian and Lithuanian students. The results reveal that gender/age affect personal environmental attitudes, however gender/age has no effect on personal willingness to start a sustainable business. The analysis results of the personal attitudes to sustainable entrepreneurship differ by age and gender. Gender has no effect and age strongly affects personal attitudes to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transport infrastructure is an integral part of the transport system of any city or state. In connection with the development of society and intensification of international relations due to the globalization processes, the importance of transport as a factor for economic and social development has enhanced. Various aspects of the activities related to the development of transport infrastructure have increasingly become the objects of scientific researches. Transportation as an economic factor is a measure of economic activity and at the same time transportation is a reflection of economic activity. So, the questions about transport infrastructure performance measurement and relationship between transport infrastructure and economic growth are the subjects for discussions in both academic and non-academic circles. This paper highlights the role of the transportation industry in economic development of Latvia, describes the concept of transport infrastructure as an important part of the state transport system, and estimates the employed international approaches to the measurement of performance of transport infrastructure development. The article focuses on the necessity for the development of the methodology of measuring the transport infrastructure performance, that should be applied systematically and that would be generally helpful to all responsible people making transportation-related decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 21st century, urban agriculture renews and diversifies approaches to the practice within the context of urban regeneration, climate change risks, sustainable development and resource consumption balance problems. Influenced by the long historical evolution and intensification of various risks, food production in urban areas involves the widest multifunctionality to date. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the main functions of urban agriculture and to evaluate their significance in Latvia. The following tasks were set to achieve the aim: 1) to identify and classify functions of urban agriculture, 2) to analyse the performance and significance of functions in Latvia. Several methods were employed to perform tasks and achieve the aim: the monographic and descriptive methods for making a theoretical discussion; the analysis, synthesis and deduction methods for obtaining information, systematisation and classification of functions; a structured expert interview for rating and ranking functions and identifying interactions between them. The research identified 14 functions of urban agriculture, which were classified into 5 groups: political, economic, social, environmental and technological. The most significant functions of urban agriculture in Latvia are social (promotion of social cohesion and public health, education and maintaining traditions and values) and technological innovations. There are interactions between all functions, and support for urban sustainability, education, provision of ecosystem services and technological innovations have the strongest impact on other functions. Interactions of functions proved the multifunctionality of urban agriculture, which could be an important support tool to contributing to sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]