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This research proposes a novel risk assessment model to elucidate the risk propagation process of industrial safety accidents triggered by natural disasters (Natech), identifies key factors influencing urban carrying capacity and mitigates uncertainties and subjectivity due to data scarcity in Natech risk assessment.

Utilizing disaster chain theory and Bayesian network (BN), we describe the cascading effects of Natechs, identifying critical nodes of urban system failure. Then we propose an urban carrying capacity assessment method using the coefficient of variation and cloud BN, constructing an indicator system for infrastructure, population and environmental carrying capacity. The model determines interval values of assessment indicators and weights missing data nodes using the coefficient of variation and the cloud model. A case study using data from the Pearl River Delta region validates the model.

(1) Urban development in the Pearl River Delta relies heavily on population carrying capacity. (2) The region’s social development model struggles to cope with rapid industrial growth. (3) There is a significant disparity in carrying capacity among cities, with some trends contrary to urban development. (4) The Cloud BN outperforms the classical Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) gate fuzzy method in describing real-world fuzzy and random situations.

The present research proposes a novel framework for evaluating the urban carrying capacity of industrial areas in the face of Natechs. By developing a BN risk assessment model that integrates cloud models, the research addresses the issue of scarce objective data and reduces the subjectivity inherent in previous studies that heavily relied on expert opinions. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the classical fuzzy BNs.

Waste generation poses a significant environmental challenge in the United Arab Emirates due to the rapid urbanization, population growth and industrialization witnessed in recent decades. As a result, there has been a substantial surge in waste production. To fulfil its sustainability and circular economy aspirations in various economic domains, the UAE must prioritize efficient waste management. The purpose of this study is to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of the UAE’s economic sectors particularly within its vital energy sectors, which encompass crude oil, natural gas and mining, manufacturing and electricity, by gauging their adherence to sustainability and circularity objectives.

The authors used the data envelopment analysis input–output model to identify sectors that exhibit strong performance as well as those that are falling behind.

Based on this study, the agriculture, the crude oil, natural gas and mining sectors and financial services and banking were found to be the most efficient. The results of this study concluded that the UAE is making progress toward achieving its sustainability and circularity objectives; however, the findings suggest that more effort is needed to fully realize these goals.

By identifying high-performing and underperforming sectors, decision-makers can prioritize efforts to enhance sustainability and circularity in area of greatest need in the economy.

The purpose of this study is to utilize two types of gypsum mold wastes from two different factories as novel and economical reinforcing fillers for composites that may be useful for building materials and floors. Two types of gypsum mold wastes from two different factories as raw materials were incorporated into linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) aiming to get rid of that waste in one hand and obtaining useful economical composites suitable for building materials and floors.

Composites were prepared from two types of gypsum mold wastes substituted with different ratios from raw gypsum and LLDPE throughout the melt blending technique. The physico-mechanical and electrical investigations in addition to the morphology of the composites were included.

The mechanical results illustrate that substituting commercial gypsum with gypsum mold waste positively affects tensile strength, flexural strength and hardness shore D for the LLDPE composites. The tensile strength increased from 5 MPa for LLDPE filled with commercial gypsum as blank samples to 11.2 and 13.2 MPa for LLDPE filled with D and S waste. Also, electrical properties which include both permittivity ɛ′ and dielectric loss ɛ″ increased with increasing the waste content in the LLDPE matrix. In addition to the electrical conductivity values, σ lies in the order of insulation materials. Consequently, it is possible to produce materials with a gypsum matrix by adding industrial waste, improving the behavior of the traditional gypsum and enabling those composites to be applied in various construction applications as eco-friendly tiles.

This study aims to prepare eco-friendly composites based on LLDPE and waste gypsum mold to preserve resources for the coming generations, other than lowering the environmental footprint and saving the costs of getting rid of it.

The objectives of this study are as follows: RO1: to determine the key enablers that encourage the adoption of sustainable practices; RO2: to create a structural relationship model between the enablers that have been discovered and RO3: to use dependence and driving power to classify and analyse these factors.

In total, 11 variables were extracted through systematic literature review and experts opinion, and a group interview with more than 15 experts who have an experience of more than 10 years in academics was conducted. Generally odd in numbers, they presented each pair of variables and took their opinion. Using “Interpretative Structural Modelling” and “Cross-Impact Multiplication Applied to Classification” (ISM MICMAC) analysis, a model describing the structural relationship between these factors has been formulated to know the conceptual framework.

The study shows that the digital payment and waste treatment as the linkage or mediating variables. Top management commitment (TMC), regulatory framework and transparency are the drivers or independent variables. Green logistics, sustainable packaging and production are the dependent variables. Further, the resulting hierarchy and contextual linkages among variables shed light on key dimensions for decision-making. Green logistics, sustainable packaging and production are interconnected, playing a significant role, in the framework and influenced by the lower level variables. Transparency should be given due consideration to ensure sustainable competitive advantage.

(1) Owing to a lack of time and resources, the researchers have been able to explore only limited variables; more factors or enablers can be taken in future for further research. (2) Money constraint is also there. (3) One major limitation is that this research includes opinion from different experts which are dynamic in nature and keep on changing from time to time. (4) Primary research can also be done with the help of different software like partial least squares and structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) by taking same variables or merging new variables with the given variables of this paper. (5) With the help of this paper, the author tried to give an overview of some important enablers which are helpful in sustainability. Given a time in future, more research can be done by taking different sectors or a specific sector.

Findings are helpful for policymakers about effective strategies for promoting sustainability. They provide evidence-based insights into the potential impact of policy interventions and help shape the development of environmental regulations and initiatives. Sustainability is a global issue. Thus, this research paper contributes to international discussions and collaborations on environmental conservation and sustainable development goals (SDGs). They may influence diplomatic efforts to address transnational environmental challenges. Companies can use research findings to improve their sustainability practices and develop environmentally friendly products and services. Understanding sustainability enablers can help businesses reduce their ecological footprint while remaining economically viable. Research on sustainability enablers often involves exploring new technologies and innovations. Practical implications include the development and adoption of renewable energy sources, waste reduction techniques and sustainable agricultural practices. Sustainable communities rely on a range of enablers, from renewable energy infrastructure to local governance structures. Research informs community development efforts by identifying best practices and effective strategies for building resilient, environmentally friendly neighbourhood.

This research paper contributes to raising awareness about sustainability issues among the public. It also provides insights into the importance of sustainable practices and their impacts on society. Sustainability enablers can influence individual and collective behaviour, and they may encourage people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and consumption habits. Sustainability research often addresses issues of equity and social justice. Understanding the enablers of sustainability can help identify strategies to ensure that sustainable practices benefit all segments of society, including marginalized communities.

This research paper endeavour to identify key sustainability development enablers (SDEs) by consolidating numerous factors within a single study. While several research papers have explored various sustainability enablers separately, no previous study has delved into their interactions. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research on classifying enablers based on the fuzzy MICMAC analysis. The ISM-based model presented here serves as a valuable resource for both practitioners and academics, aiding in their comprehension of the framework of relationships.

Foreign directors from developed nations are significant brain gains for Chinese firms because they improve board competency and board diversity. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between foreign directors from developed countries on Chinese listed firms and firms’ green commitment.

For the empirical analysis, first, this study applies ordinary least square regression and firm fixed model to explore the relationship between foreign directors and green commitment. For the endogeneity concerns, this study first added more control variable in the main model, then applied instrumental variable approach and propensity score matching technique.

This study predicts and finds that percentage of foreign directors from developed countries on Chinese listed firms’ board positively enhances the firms’ green commitment. Furthermore, this study also finds that the positive relationship between foreign directors and firms’ green commitment is more significant when firms are in a low competitive industry, have no financial constraints and are overseas-listed. This study’s findings are robust after controlling for endogeneity concerns.

This is new research on the impact of foreign directors on corporate green commitment.

This study aims to examine how women on board influence quality and quantity disclosure of emissions discharge by the listed non-financial firms for the period of six years (2016–2021), with institutional ownership as a moderator.

The study obtained data from a sample of 83 listed non-financial firms. A content analysis technique was employed to compute emissions disclosure indexes using Global Reporting Initiatives standards from the sampled firms. Random and fixed effect regression analyses were run for both direct and moderation models. Based on the results of the Hausman tests, random results were adopted and used in examining the relationship.

The result reveals that women on board are significantly related to emission disclosure. The study also documented that institutional owners have not influenced the relationship between women directors and emissions disclosure.

The study's findings have practical implications for emerging economies, corporations and other business organizations seeking to actively involve the emissions control and reduction issues toward sustainable development goals 5, 7 and 13 in their business models and successfully communicate these efforts to stakeholders.

Listed firms in emerging economies would gain sincerity through the women directors’ knowledge, skills, demographics and ethnicity in the society. Therefore, corporate bodies in emerging economies can successfully contribute toward improving the social welfare of various segments of society by controlling current and future climate issues. Additionally, society will surely benefit when firms control the pollution discharges within the community.

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, that provides empirical evidence on the effect of the presence of women on board on emissions disclosure using institutional ownership as a moderator in Nigeria.

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of green bonds on common prosperity in China. Green bonds have gained significant attention as a means to address financial challenges and promote environmental protection. This research aims to investigate the influence of green bonds on common prosperity by utilizing the system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) and analyzing panel data from prefecture-level cities. The study also explores the theoretical mechanisms and heterogeneous relationships between green bonds and common prosperity, providing valuable guidance for advancing economic and social well-being in China.

This study employs a system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) as the methodology to investigate the influence of green bonds on common prosperity in China. Panel data from prefecture-level cities for the period 2014 to 2020 are utilized for analysis. The SYS-GMM approach allows for the examination of dynamic relationships and control of endogeneity issues. By utilizing this methodology, the study aims to provide robust and reliable findings on the impact of green bonds on common prosperity, considering the specific context of China's ecological civilization development and financial challenges faced by energy-saving and environmental protection enterprises.

The findings of this research indicate several important outcomes. Firstly, common prosperity in China experienced substantial growth between 2014 and 2020. Secondly, green bonds have demonstrated a clear and positive impact on common prosperity. They contribute to the enhancement of common prosperity by driving industrial structure upgrading and fostering green technology innovation. Lastly, the study reveals that the positive influence of green bonds on common prosperity is particularly pronounced in the western region of China. These findings highlight the significance of green bonds in promoting sustainable economic development and societal well-being.

This study contributes to the existing literature by examining the impact of green bonds on common prosperity in China, utilizing the system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) and panel data analysis. The research not only adds to the understanding of the relationship between green bonds and economic well-being but also provides insights into the theoretical mechanisms and heterogeneous relationships involved. The findings showcase the positive influence of green bonds on common prosperity, emphasizing their role in addressing financial challenges, promoting environmental protection, and driving sustainable development. The study's conclusions offer valuable guidance for policymakers, financial institutions, and stakeholders in advancing common prosperity in China.

In less than a decade to Sustainable Development Goals, the urban solid waste (USW) emanating from households, especially in developing countries, calls for concern. Several policies have been suggested and some implemented, but the challenges facing USW management remain, especially in developing nations. Past studies demonstrated that the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies can be used to improve urban public services. The role of 4IR in mitigating the challenges of USW is yet to receive in-depth research in Nigeria. Thus, the study investigated 4IR role regarding mitigating the challenges facing USW.

Seven cities across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, were used as the study area to achieve the research objectives via a qualitative research design. Thirty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted from selected regulators, households, legislators, ICT experts, NGOs and waste managers. A thematic approach was adopted to analyse the collated data.

Findings group the USW challenges into five categories. The 4IR technologies can be used to manage USW; thus, they create an opportunity to integrate and promote sustainable clean cities.

This study is confined to the 4IR role concerning mitigating the encumbrances facing USW in Nigeria and proffered feasible policies to enhance a sustainable healthy environment.

Proffered policy solutions will stir policymakers and construction practitioners to think outside the box and offer and better understand how 4IR technologies can be utilised to mitigate those challenges. The outcome will create sustainable clean cities as part of the implication contribution to the body of knowledge.

Evidence from the reviewed literature shows a paucity of literature focussed on 4IR roles in mitigating the encumbrances facing USW in Nigeria. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing research work on 4IR concerning its role in enhancing USW in Nigeria and, by extension, to other developing countries.

This study aims to understand the perception of young people regarding different communication strategies to promote proenvironmental disposal behavior. Based on the attention-interest-desire-action (AIDA) model, the study analyses how university students react to different communication approaches used by a university aiming at the correct disposal of waste.

The authors conducted a qualitative exploratory research in two steps: (i) a narrative bibliographic review and (ii) a case study. The (i) bibliographic review was conducted about proenvironmental behavior and disposal of solid waste and response hierarchy models, with emphasis on the AIDA model. The (ii) case study was executed through an in-depth interview with a manager of the environmental sanitation area and a qualitative survey with undergraduate students from a university in southern Brazil.

The findings reveal that young people tend to prefer communication strategies related to triggers for long-term memory, especially when evaluating the cognitive stage of the response hierarchy. For example, the provision of bins identified with stickers and colors is a communication strategy that leads to a memory model of associative networks. By viewing a certain color or image of an object, the individual can quickly retrieve information already known about the act of properly disposing of waste. Additionally, convenience is a key factor for the behavioral intention of properly disposing of waste to become a reality.

Few studies have identified the most effective communication strategies to promote proper disposal behavior among young people in universities. This study addresses this gap, based on the AIDA model.

The circular economy (CE) is a sustainable economic model that has the potential to create new opportunities, reduce environmental impact and enhance social well-being. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the largest city in Vietnam, has experienced rapid economic growth in recent years, but at the cost of the environment and public health. The city could reduce waste, conserve resources and promote sustainable production and consumption by adopting CE principles. Employing qualitative research, including content analysis, we construct a SWOT analysis to assess HCMC's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the CE context. The city possesses several strengths, such as a vast potential for a CE and a robust economic foundation. However, it also faces multiple weaknesses, including insufficient infrastructure, inadequate citizen and business awareness and participation, ineffective policy enforcement and a deficiency of standards for recycled products. This chapter will conclude that the CE presents an opportunity for HCMC to reduce its dependence on imported raw materials, increase local value creation and create new jobs in the CE sector.