Search results

1 – 10 of over 1000
Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 February 2024

Sinead Earley, Thomas Daae Stridsland, Sarah Korn and Marin Lysák

Climate change poses risks to society and the demand for carbon literacy within small and medium-sized enterprises is increasing. Skills and knowledge are required for…

Abstract

Purpose

Climate change poses risks to society and the demand for carbon literacy within small and medium-sized enterprises is increasing. Skills and knowledge are required for organizational greenhouse gas accounting and science-based decisions to help businesses reduce transitional risks. At the University of Copenhagen and the University of Northern British Columbia, two carbon management courses have been developed to respond to this growing need. Using an action-based co-learning model, students and business are paired to quantify and report emissions and develop climate plans and communication strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on surveys of businesses that have partnered with the co-learning model, designed to provide insight on carbon reductions and the impacts of co-learning. Data collected from 12 respondents in Denmark and 19 respondents in Canada allow for cross-institutional and international comparison in a Global North context.

Findings

Results show that while co-learning for carbon literacy is welcomed, companies identify limitations: time and resources; solution feasibility; governance and reporting structures; and communication methods. Findings reveal a need for extension, both forwards and backwards in time, indicating that the collaborations need to be lengthened and/or intensified. Balancing academic requirements detracts from usability for businesses, and while municipal and national policy and emission targets help generate a general societal understanding of the issue, there is no concrete guidance on how businesses can implement operational changes based on inventory results.

Originality/value

The research brings new knowledge to the field of transitional climate risks and does so with a focus on both small businesses and universities as important co-learning actors in low-carbon transitions. The comparison across geographies and institutions contributes an international solution perspective to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 25 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2023

Bindhu Kumari Sreekandan Nair Nidhin, Niluka Domingo, Thao Thi Phuong Bui and Suzanne Wilkinson

In light of climate change, the design and construction of buildings needs to shift from conventional to lower-carbon practices to maximise carbon reduction. Over the past few…

Abstract

Purpose

In light of climate change, the design and construction of buildings needs to shift from conventional to lower-carbon practices to maximise carbon reduction. Over the past few years, the zero carbon buildings (ZCBs) approach has been promoted worldwide as an effective way to reduce environmental impacts and mitigate climate change. Although zero-carbon policies, technologies, processes and products are widely available in the construction market, construction stakeholders play an important part in adopting relevant strategies to implement ZCBs successfully. This study investigates the knowledge of construction stakeholders involved in the design and construction of buildings regarding zero carbon initiatives in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted using a literature review and an online questionnaire survey with various New Zealand's construction stakeholders.

Findings

The findings indicate a low level of knowledge regarding the design and construction of ZCBs. To successfully deliver ZCBs, the study suggests that construction stakeholders must have their self-awareness increased, especially in improving knowledge of whole-of-life embodied carbon reduction. The governments and construction sectors should devote more effort to establishing training programmes and knowledge-sharing platforms to improve stakeholder knowledge in carbon literacy, building assessment methods, energy modelling and life cycle assessment.

Originality/value

The research implications may assist the real-world uptake of the ZCBs approach by offering academics and practitioners an insight into the ZCBs knowledge gaps.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2023

Valerie McIlvaine, Steven Dahlquist and Kevin Lehnert

Climate change and carbon emissions are top of mind in all facets of society. This study aims to investigate what the world’s top brands are saying about carbon emissions and…

138

Abstract

Purpose

Climate change and carbon emissions are top of mind in all facets of society. This study aims to investigate what the world’s top brands are saying about carbon emissions and greenhouse gases (GHG). Through this inquiry, the authors hope to better understand what brands are saying, doing and if their actions are clear. Furthermore, the authors seek to uncover practices that may deter or enhance a brand’s effectiveness in communicating its current and future initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Each of the world’s top 50 brands’ (Forbes, 2020 Rankings) websites were assessed using a content analysis methodology. Key constructs and themes were identified first through a broad assessment, leading to a set of parameters (content items) that were used to assess each brand’s website. The results were then summarized.

Findings

Almost all of the world’s Top 50 brands attempt to articulate their current accomplishments and goals relative to carbon emissions and GHG. Generally, carbon falls under a broader discussion of their sustainability initiatives and objectives. While extensive, information on carbon emissions possesses a variety of terms for measures and initiatives, goal setting and actions. Stakeholders may find the information to be ambiguous and of limited use.

Originality/value

There are few, if any, assessments of how major brands communicate their current and future carbon emissions initiatives. The study uncovers tendencies and provides managers with practices that may enhance the effectiveness of their brand’s carbon emissions communications.

Details

Journal of Business Strategy, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0275-6668

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2021

Michael Mehmet, Troy Heffernan, Jennifer Algie and Behnam Forouhandeh

The purpose of this paper is to examine how upstream social marketing can benefit from using social media commentary to identify cognitive biases. Using reactions to leading…

1017

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how upstream social marketing can benefit from using social media commentary to identify cognitive biases. Using reactions to leading media/news publications/articles related to climate and energy policy in Australia, this paper aims to understand underlying community cognitive biases and their reasonings.

Design/methodology/approach

Social listening was used to gather community commentary about climate and energy policy in Australia. This allowed the coding of natural language data to determine underlying cognitive biases inherent in the community. In all, 2,700 Facebook comments were collected from 27 news articles dated between January 2018 and March 2020 using exportcomments.com. Team coding was used to ensure consistency in interpretation.

Findings

Nine key cognitive bias were noted, including, pessimism, just-world, confirmation, optimum, curse of knowledge, Dunning–Kruger, self-serving, concision and converge biases. Additionally, the authors report on the interactive nature of these biases. Right-leaning audiences are perceived to be willfully uninformed and motivated by self-interest; centric audiences want solutions based on common-sense for the common good; and left-leaning supporters of progressive climate change policy are typically pessimistic about the future of climate and energy policy in Australia. Impacts of powerful media organization shaping biases are also explored.

Research limitations/implications

Through a greater understanding of the types of cognitive biases, policy-makers are able to better design and execute influential upstream social marketing campaigns.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that observing cognitive biases through social listening can assist upstream social marketing understand community biases and underlying reasonings towards climate and energy policy.

Details

Journal of Social Marketing, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6763

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 February 2024

Cathy A. Rusinko

This study aims to introduce management students to climate change by providing them with an opportunity to address it in their own lives, through a class exercise.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to introduce management students to climate change by providing them with an opportunity to address it in their own lives, through a class exercise.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-class exercise was designed, carried out and described in this study. Student teams were assigned different questions on how to address major causes of climate change. Each team did research to generate answers, and ranked their answers based on the speed of implementation. Teams reported their answers to the class. The instructor facilitated a debriefing session, during which all responses were ranked with respect to other variables, including cost savings, time savings and lifestyle fit. This exercise uses few resources and can be adapted to different time lengths and teaching/learning formats (e.g. on-ground, virtual, asynchronous online).

Findings

This exercise can help students to gain an understanding of climate change and its causes and complexities. Students learn how to implement a diverse set of personal actions to mitigate climate change; these can start in the present and continue throughout their lives. In addition, this exercise may help students to make the leap from individual climate change mitigation practices to organizational and societal practices, when they are in the position to do so as future leaders.

Originality/value

Although classes, exercises, and assignments ask management students to consider issues such as climate change at the organizational level, this individual-level exercise can allow students with limited organizational experience to engage more quickly with climate change and better understand organizational and societal implications in the future. That is, if students first understand how to address climate change in their own lives, they may more effectively transfer and apply that understanding at organizational and societal levels and ultimately synthesize solutions to address climate change in the world.

Details

Organization Management Journal, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2753-8567

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 November 2023

Maria Unuigbe and Sambo Lyson Zulu

The UK Government has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, being the first major nation to do so. While laudable, it raises the question, “are future built…

Abstract

Purpose

The UK Government has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, being the first major nation to do so. While laudable, it raises the question, “are future built environment professionals (BEPs) equipped for this?” Although studies related to students’ perspectives exist, they broadly focus on sustainability-related pedagogical aspects, with limited studies conducted in the built environment (BE). This study makes the case that it is timely to investigate this from an emerging perspective using the term “low-carbon future” (LCF), given that it is germane to achieving net-zero emissions and is at the forefront of academic and practice discourse. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the knowledge level of UK BE students’ in higher education institutions (HEIs) specific to the term LCF.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a systematic scoping study review of published papers related to sustainability in BE curricula in the UK HEI context.

Findings

The findings reveal that LCF remains at a nascent stage, with no study specifically addressing it. It indicates a knowledge gap that could impact the grounding students require to address current and future sustainability challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The review focused on a specific term, which, while relevant, is very niche. A review of other emerging terms, considering LCF as a theme, and/or empirical data from diverse stakeholders in UK HEIs could enrich the results.

Practical implications

This study provides significant insight into the status of sustainability inclusion in the BE curriculum. It would serve as a reference for stakeholders involved in equipping future BEPs with the requisite knowledge and skills to deal with sustainability challenges that will be consequential beyond the UK context. It would also inform future research.

Social implications

Sustainability-informed and equipped BEPs will be influential in shaping their immediate surroundings and how people engage with them, which will contribute to developing a more equitable and sustainable society.

Originality/value

Beyond contributing to the discourse on sustainability literacy in UK HEI from an emerging concept perspective, this study would be useful as possibly the first of its kind. Therefore, it fills the theoretical gap and proffers recommendations that would be beneficial for curriculum development.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 November 2022

Jiekuan Zhang and Yan Zhang

Although extensive studies have examined the link between tourism and carbon emissions, the impact of tourism on carbon emissions remains controversial. In contrast to prior…

Abstract

Purpose

Although extensive studies have examined the link between tourism and carbon emissions, the impact of tourism on carbon emissions remains controversial. In contrast to prior studies, this study aims to investigate the effects of tourism on carbon emissions at the city level and the underlying moderating mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study designs an econometric model drawing on panel data for 313 city-level regions in China from 2001 to 2019. This study also performs rigorous robustness tests to support the regression results. In addition, the temporal and spatial heterogeneity is analyzed based on which this study discusses the moderators of the effects of tourism on carbon emissions.

Findings

The results show that both tourist arrivals and tourism revenue significantly impact carbon emissions. Also, there exists a significant temporal and spatial heterogeneity of these effects. Economic development significantly enhances while green technology and tertiary industry development suppress the positive relationship between tourism and carbon emissions. Moreover, regarding the impact on carbon emissions, an explicit substitution exists between tourism and tertiary industry development.

Originality/value

For the first time, this study quantitatively estimates the moderators of tourism’s impact on carbon emissions and concludes the moderating effects of economic growth, technological progress and industrial structure, thus furthering the theoretical understanding of the heterogeneity of tourism’s association with carbon emissions. The study also fills a technical gap in previous studies by demonstrating the reliability of the findings through various robustness tests. This is also the first empirical study to systematically examine the relationship between tourism and carbon emissions in China.

目的

尽管已经有大量的研究考察了旅游和碳排放之间的联系, 但旅游对碳排放的影响仍有争议。与之前的研究相比, 本研究旨在研究城市层面上旅游业对碳排放的影响以及潜在的调节机制。

设计/方法/途径

本研究基于2001-2019年中国313个城市层面的面板数据, 设计了一个计量经济学模型。本研究还进行了各种严格的稳健性检验以支持基准回归结果。本研究还分析了时空异质性, 并在此基础上讨论了旅游对碳排放影响的调节因素。

发现

研究结果显示, 旅游者人次和旅游收入都对碳排放有明显影响。同时, 这些影响存在明显的时间和空间异质性。经济发展明显增强但是绿色技术和第三产业发展抑制了旅游业与碳排放之间的正向关系。此外, 旅游业和第三产业发展在对碳排放的影响方面存在显著的替代关系。

原创性/价值

本研究首次定量估计了旅游业对碳排放影响的调节因素, 并总结出经济增长、技术进步和产业结构的调节作用, 从而进一步推动了对旅游业与碳排放关联的异质性的理论认识。文章还填补了以往研究的技术空白, 通过各种稳健性检验证明了研究结果的可靠性。本研究还是第一个系统地研究中国旅游业与碳排放关系的实证研究。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Este estudio diseña un modelo econométrico basado en datos de panel para 313 regiones a nivel de ciudad en China desde 2001 hasta 2019. Este estudio también aplica rigurosas pruebas de robustez para apoyar los resultados de la regresión. Además, se analiza la heterogeneidad temporal y espacial en base a la cual este estudio discute los moderadores efectos del turismo en las emisiones de carbono.

Objetivo

Aunque numerosos estudios han examinado la relación entre el turismo y las emisiones de carbono, su impacto sigue siendo controvertido. A diferencia de los estudios anteriores, este estudio pretende investigar los efectos del turismo en las emisiones de carbono a nivel de ciudad y el mecanismo moderador subyacente.

Conclusiones

Los resultados muestran que tanto las llegadas de turistas como los ingresos por turismo influyen significativamente en las emisiones de carbono. Además, existe una importante heterogeneidad temporal y espacial de estos efectos. El desarrollo económico aumenta significativamente, mientras que la tecnología verde y el desarrollo de la industria terciaria suprimen la relación positiva entre el turismo y las emisiones de carbono. Además, en lo que respecta al impacto sobre las emisiones de carbono, existe una sustitución explícita entre el turismo y el desarrollo de la industria terciaria.

Originalidad/valor

Por primera vez, este estudio estima cuantitativamente los moderadores del impacto del turismo en las emisiones de carbono y concluye los efectos moderadores del crecimiento económico, el progreso tecnológico y la estructura industrial, lo que permite avanzar en la comprensión teórica de la heterogeneidad de la asociación del turismo con las emisiones de carbono. El artículo también resuelve una carencia técnica de los estudios anteriores al demostrar la fiabilidad de las conclusiones mediante diversas pruebas de solidez. Este es también el primer estudio empírico que examina sistemáticamente la relación entre el turismo y las emisiones de carbono en China.

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2022

Pipatpong Fakfare and Walanchalee Wattanacharoensil

Underpinned by three-factor theory, this study aims to: examine the dynamics (asymmetry) of multi-quality low-carbon attributes towards the Thai tourists’ perception and…

Abstract

Purpose

Underpinned by three-factor theory, this study aims to: examine the dynamics (asymmetry) of multi-quality low-carbon attributes towards the Thai tourists’ perception and prioritise carbon-tourism attributes on the basis of impact-range performance and asymmetric analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a multi-method approach to derive the low-carbon tourism (LCT) items before conducting exploratory factor analysis to identify the underlying dimensions. Impact range performance analysis and impact asymmetry analysis were carried out to explore the asymmetric or symmetric relationship associated with tourists’ perception of LCT.

Findings

Findings reveal the three dimensions of the LCT attributes. Out of the 29 attributes, nine are regarded as “must-have” categories, such that tourists will be disappointed at the efforts of a low-carbon destination if these attributes are missing, but they will feel neutral if the attributes are present. Six LCT attributes fall into the “hybrid” category, such that tourists will appreciate if they perceive these attributes to be available for LCT and feel disappointed if these attributes are not or poorly offered. Fourteen attributes are considered under the “value-added” category, meaning tourists will only appreciate if they encounter these attributes at the destination, and the lack thereof will not cause any dissatisfaction or negative perception from tourists.

Originality/value

Through the multi-quality asymmetric analysis, the study provides deep insights into the degree of perception of the 29 LCT attributes. The study offers tangible guidelines to destination authorities and pinpoints the necessity to provide attributes, especially in the “hybrid” and “must-have” categories, to avoid tourists’ negative perceptions when they visit a low-carbon destination.

摘要

目的-本研究基于三因素理论, 旨在: 1) 探讨多质量低碳属性对泰国游客的积极认知的动态性(即非对称性); 2) 基于影响范围性能和非对称分析确定低碳旅游属性的优先次序。

设计/方法/途径

本研究在进行探索性因素分析以确定潜在维度之前, 采用了多方法途径推导出低碳旅游(LCT)项目。通过影响范围性能分析(IRPA)和影响非对称性分析(IAA) , 来探索与游客对LCT的积极认知相关的不对称或对称关系。

研究结果

研究结果显示了LCT属性的三个维度。在29个属性中, 有9个被视为“必备”类别, 这意味着如果这些属性缺失, 游客就会对低碳旅游目的地的努力感到失望, 但如果这些属性存在, 则会保持中立。6个LCT属性属于"混合 “类别, 这意味着如果游客认为LCT有这些属性, 他们会很赞赏, 但如果没有这些属性或提供的属性不佳, 他们则会感到失望。14个属性被认为属于"增值 “类别, 这意味着游客只有在旅游目的地遇到这些属性时才会感到赞赏, 而缺乏这些属性则不会引起游客的不满或负面看法。

原创性/价值

通过多质量非对称性分析, 本研究对理解29个LCT属性的认知程度提供了深刻的见解。该研究为旅游目的地管理机构提供了切实的指导, 并明确指出了提供属性的必要性, 特别是在"混合"和"必备"类别中, 以避免游客在前往低碳旅游目的地时产生负面看法。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

El estudio aplica un enfoque multimétodo para obtener los elementos del turismo bajo en carbono (TBC) antes de realizar un análisis factorial exploratorio para identificar las dimensiones subyacentes. Se llevó a cabo un análisis de rendimiento del rango de impacto y un análisis de asimetría del impacto para explorar la relación asimétrica o simétrica asociada a la percepción de los turistas sobre el TBC.

Objetivo

Apoyándose en la teoría de los tres factores, el estudio pretende 1) examinar la dinámica (asimetría) de los atributos de baja emisión de carbono de múltiples calidades con respecto a la percepción de los turistas tailandeses y 2) priorizar los atributos del turismo de carbono sobre la base del rendimiento del rango de impacto y el análisis asimétrico.

Conclusiones

Los resultados revelan las tres dimensiones de los atributos del turismo de carbono. De los 29 atributos, nueve se consideran categorías “imprescindibles”, de modo que los turistas se sentirán decepcionados por los esfuerzos de un destino con bajas emisiones de carbono si estos atributos faltan, pero se sentirán neutrales si los atributos están presentes. Seis atributos de los TBC entran en la categoría “híbrida”, de manera que los turistas apreciarán si perciben que estos atributos están disponibles para los TBC y se sentirán decepcionados si estos atributos no se ofrecen o se ofrecen de manera deficiente. Catorce atributos se consideran en la categoría de “valor añadido”, lo que significa que los turistas sólo apreciarán si encuentran estos atributos en el destino, y la falta de ellos no causará ninguna insatisfacción o percepción negativa por parte de los turistas.

Originalidad/valor

A través del análisis asimétrico de la calidad múltiple, el estudio proporciona una visión profunda del grado de percepción de los 29 atributos del TBC. El estudio ofrece directrices tangibles a las autoridades de los destinos y señala la necesidad de proporcionar atributos, especialmente en las categorías “híbrida” e “imprescindible”, para evitar la percepción negativa de los turistas cuando visitan un destino con bajas emisiones de carbono.

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2018

Chih-Ching Teng, Allan Cheng Chieh Lu and Tzu-Tang Huang

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among consumers’ environmental value, low-carbon knowledge, perceived value of green hotels and behavioral intention to…

4495

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among consumers’ environmental value, low-carbon knowledge, perceived value of green hotels and behavioral intention to stay in green hotels as well as willingness to cooperate with green hotels’ environmentally friendly practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling and indirect effect estimation through bootstrapping technique were performed using 415 valid questionnaires collected from customers who had green hotel stay experiences in Taiwan.

Findings

The analytical results indicate that environmental value and low-carbon knowledge positively affect perceived value of green hotels, which in turn positively affect consumers’ behavioral intention to stay in green hotels and willingness to cooperate with green hotels’ environmentally friendly practices. Perceived value of green hotels also partially mediates the effects of environmental value and low-carbon knowledge on two behavioral intention variables.

Practical implications

This study provides numerous valuable implications for green hotel operators to develop effective strategies to increase consumers’ perceived value of green hotels and their behavioral intention toward green hotels.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to test not only the main effects of environmental value and knowledge on consumer perceptions of the value of green hotels, but also the mediating effect of consumers’ perceived value of green hotels for the relationships between environmental value, environmental knowledge and two behavioral intentions toward green hotels.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 August 2022

Matthew Pointon, Geoff Walton, Martin Turner, Michael Lackenby, Jamie Barker and Andrew Wilkinson

This paper intends to explore the relationship between participants' eye fixations (a measure of attention) and durations (a measure of concentration) on areas of interest within…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper intends to explore the relationship between participants' eye fixations (a measure of attention) and durations (a measure of concentration) on areas of interest within a range of online articles and their levels of information discernment (a sub-process of information literacy characterising how participants make judgements about information).

Design/methodology/approach

Eye-tracking equipment was used as a proxy measure for reading behaviour by recording eye-fixations, dwell times and regressions in males aged 18–24 (n = 48). Participants' level of information discernment was determined using a quantitative questionnaire.

Findings

Data indicates a relationship between participants' level of information discernment and their viewing behaviours within the articles' area of interest. Those who score highly on an information discernment questionnaire tended to interrogate the online article in a structured and linear way. Those with high-level information discernment are more likely to pay attention to an article's textual and graphical information than those exhibiting low-level information discernment. Conversely, participants with low-level information discernment indicated a lack of curiosity by not interrogating the entire article. They were unsystematic in their saccadic movements spending significantly longer viewing irrelevant areas.

Social implications

The most profound consequence is that those with low-level information discernment, through a lack of curiosity in particular, could base their health, workplace, political or everyday decisions on sub-optimal engagement with and comprehension of information or misinformation (such as fake news).

Originality/value

Ground-breaking analysis of the relationship between a persons' self-reported level of information literacy (information discernment specifically) and objective measures of reading behaviour.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 47 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000