Recognizing ecosystem service’s contribution to SDGs:Ecological foundation of sustainable development

There is less than half the time left to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),and progress toward SDGs is obviously insufficient.The contribution of ecosystem services(ES)to SDGs realization has received extensive attentions,but systematic generalization and recognition are still lacking.Based on a review of the progress and challenge of sustainable development,this study summarized ES’s potential contribution to 17 SDGs,and systematically reviewed empirical researches focused on the ES’s contribution to SDGs based on the RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses(ROSES).The results showed that from the 1960s to the 2020s,the ES’s contribution has gradually become more important in sustainable development.ES has potential contribution to all SDGs,but the contribution to different SDGs varies.In the empirical study,ES’s contribution to SDG2,SDG6,SDG13,and SDG15 were strongly focused.ES’s contribution to SDG4,SDG5,SDG10,SDG16,and SDG17 were weakly focused.Most researches have explored the ES’s contribution to SDGs based on ES supply at a single scale,lacking attentions to ES demand and scale differences,and insufficient attentions to intervention factors affecting the ES’s contribution to SDGs.Faced with the above deficiencies,future research could deepen the exploration of ES’s contribution to SDGs from the following four perspectives:clarifying true contributions,exploring leverage point,integrating multi-scale differences,and focusing on intervention factors.

Global sustainable agriculture and land management systems

The paper introduces a Special Issue based on presentations to the Agricultural Geography and Land Engineering(AGLE)Commission sessions of the International Geographical Union(IGU)at the IGU’s Congress in Paris in 2022.The sessions contrasted different approaches towards attaining greater sustainability in agricultural production to satisfy the need to feed the ever-increasing human population,currently expected to reach close to ten billion by 2050.After considering the multi-faceted problem of defining sustainable agriculture,this introduction systematically outlines broad strategies to attain the varied outcomes desired by agricultural systems.Presenting a contrast between ecocentric and technocentric approaches provides opportunities to synthesize recent literature addressing the pros and cons of these two broad alternatives.Recognition of the ecological and socio-cultural benefits accruing from the ecocentric has long been championed by proponents of a wide range of environmentally friendly farming systems,including organic farming,climate-smart agriculture,agroforestry,and permaculture.The technocentric lies at the heart of so-called Agriculture 4.0,in which innovations such as precision farming,digital technology,and genetic modification are applied to increase production per unit area.The potential for technology to‘solve’the world’s food crisis is supported by those who argue that ecocentric approaches alone cannot meet the rising demand for food.Yet,questions remain about the sustainability of new technology-based methods,so a strong and ongoing debate continues regarding how to attain greater sustainability alongside increasing agricultural output.This debate is exemplified in the contributions to the Special Issue outlined herewith.

Assessment of rural sustainable development and analysis and prediction of obstacles and coupled coordinated development:A case study of Zaozhuang City

In China,the Innovation Demonstration Zone for the National Sustainable Development Agenda is a key initiative for executing the United Nations(UN)2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The Zone also plays critical roles in addressing the developmental bottlenecks that China faces and sharing Chinese insights into global sustainable development efforts.On July 15,2022,the State Council endorsed the Zone’s establishment in Zaozhuang City,Shandong Province,where it focuses on innovation-led sustainable development in rural areas.Research into the levels,impediments,interdependencies,and evolutionary trends of rural sustainable development is crucial.Therefore,this research aimed to assist in comprehensively assessing developmental challenges and facilitating the harmonious advancement of social,economic,and environmental aspects in rural areas.In pursuit of the three fundamental dimensions of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),namely development’s drivers,quality,and equity,this study was grounded in China’s national Rural Revitalization Strategy and the demands of sustainable development strategies.It also aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated SDG indicators.Focusing on four key areas,namely production elements,natural elements,social elements,and rural governance,this study developed an evaluation index system for assessing the level of rural sustainable development.It employed a range of analytical models,including the game theory-based combination empowerment method,barrier degree model,coupling degree model,coupling coordination degree model,and gray prediction GM(1,1)model,to analyze the status and evolving trends of rural sustainable development in Zaozhuang City from 2015 to 2022.The key findings were as follows:①Relative to the baseline year 2015,the sustainable development level in Zaozhuang’s rural areas has shifted toward an improved state overall.②The primary barrier to achieving rural sustainable development in Zaozhuang is the city’s rural governance system.③While the components of rural sustainable development in Zaozhuang are in the early stages of both basic and moderate coordination,an overall enhancement has occurred in their integrative coordination.④Between 2023 and 2025,the level of integrative coordination in Zaozhuang is expected to rise steadily.However,reaching a state of advanced coordination will require additional time for development.

Identifying influencing factors and characterizing key issues in urban sustainable development capacity through machine learning

In response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and China’s“Dual Carbon”Goals(DCGs means the goals of“Carbon Peak and carbon neutrality”),this paper from the perspective of the construction of China’s Innovation Demonstration Zones for Sustainable Development Agenda(IDZSDAs),combines carbon emission-related metrics to construct a comprehensive assessment system for Urban Sustainable Development Capacity(USDC).After obtaining USDC assessment results through the assessment system,an approach combining Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator(LASSO)regression and Random Forest(RF)based on machine learning is proposed for identifying influencing factors and characterizing key issues.Combining Coupling Coordination Degree(CCD)analysis,the study further summarizes the systemic patterns and future directions of urban sustainable development.A case study on the IDZSDAs from 2015 to 2022 reveals that:(1)the combined identification method based on machine learning and CCD models effectively quantifies influencing factors and key issues in the urban sustainable development process;(2)the correspondence between influencing factors and key subsystems identified by the LASSO-RF combination model is generally consistent with the development situations in various cities;and(3)the machine learning-based combined recognition method is scalable and dynamic.It enables decision-makers to accurately identify influencing factors and characterize key issues based on actual urban development needs.

Understanding carbon footprint:An evaluation criterion for achieving sustainable development

Excessive greenhouse gas emissions lead to global warming,which poses a critical challenge for human society.Worldwide consensus that carbon emissions must be reduced to achieve sustainable development has raised research interest on the topic of carbon footprint,an assessment standard for measuring greenhouse gas emissions.To shed light on this important topic,we introduce carbon footprint-related international standards and domestic policies,and conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of the current carbon footprint literature.Specifically,through a bibliometric analysis of 13203 carbon foot-print publications circulated over the past decade,we quantify the publication volume,influence,and collaboration networks of countries/regions,institutions,and journals.The results show that publications on carbon footprint have been increasing since 2013,and more so after 2017.Regarding domain influence,China and its academic institutions show a strong influence.In addition,a cluster analysis of the keywords of all publications shows seven categories,encompassing carbon footprint accounting methods and research priorities.Furthermore,a qualitative analysis of the research methods and subjects related to carbon footprint reveals the need to increase communication and collaboration among different disciplines and countries/regions to strengthen the construction of carbon footprint systems.Accordingly,this study identifies popular topics and development trends in the carbon footprint literature to provide research direction for promoting green and low-carbon transformation of the social economy to achieve sustainable development.

Constructing a standard system of city sustainable development assessment technology based on the SDGs

Given the rapid development of China’s new urbanization,cities with different locations and varying functional positioning,resource endowments,and development stages have insufficient scientific and applicable technical tools for implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).City managers and policymakers must urgently establish SDG benchmarks to diagnose city development.Moreover,successful experiences from similar cities regarding sustainable development and self-improvement must be learned from to promote diversified,sustainable development across the country.Furthermore,emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence,the Internet of Things,big data and 5G are widely used in smart cities.Therefore,there is a growing need for“knowledge-based,personalized and intelligent”technologies to support monitoring,evaluation,and decision-making processes facilitating sustainable development in cities.This paper uses standardization as the theoretical support and technical basis.This approach can help clarify the sustainable development processes in China and clarify the evaluation results of and provide data on horizontal city comparisons,which can be used to develop evaluation technology for sustainable development in cities and construct a standardized system.The results provide a standard framework for intelligent assessment and decision-making regarding cities’sustainable development capabilities in China.Evaluating major international standardization institutions reveals that the practices of Chinese national standards should be fully absorbed and integrated to guide the evaluation of smart,resilient,and low-carbon cities.To this end,an indicator library of city sustainable development is proposed to provide standard evaluation technology methods.Finally,analyzing the response relationship of the indicator library to SDGs reveals the need for a standardized knowledge map of sustainable development assessment techniques and methods from the perspective of integrated management for sustainable development in cities.

Distribution dynamics,regional differences,and convergence of sustainable development of cities and communities in China

China is one of the most populated and rapidly urbanizing countries worldwide and was among the earliest countries to integrate sustainable development into urban construction.To achieve high-quality development and implement the objectives of“Transforming Our World:The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”,it is crucial to measure and analyze the current level of sustainable development of cities in China.Following the principles of relevance,scientific rigor,universality,reliability,and timeliness,this study constructs an assessment index system for sustainable development,covering seven themes corresponding to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11.Through detailed calculations,we obtained sustainable development indices for 139 Chinese cities from 2016 to 2022 and analyzed them in three dimensions:distribution dynamics,regional differences,and convergence.The key findings are as follows.First,the level of sustainable development showed improvement,with the average score of included cities increasing by 11.88%from 2016 to 2022.Second,the level of sustainable development was relatively balanced,maintaining low Gini coefficients between 0.05 and 0.06.Third,a weak overallσconvergence feature existed,with increased differentiation in 2021.From a regional perspective,aσconvergence feature was observed in the northeastern but not in the western region.Fourth,both overall absoluteβ-convergence and conditionalβeffects were significant.Regional absoluteβ-convergence and conditionalβ-convergence were also significant.This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence of China’s urban sustainable development,offering policy insights for deepening the implementation of development goals in the future,and providing experiential reference for other developing countries to achieve sustainable development.

Knowledge mapping of research on sustainable utilization of landscape resources:a case study of Guilin National Innovation Demonstration Zone for sustainable development in China

Worldwide interest has increasingly focused on the sustainable utilization of landscape as a resource in urban areas,emphasizing its ecological,cultural and social significance.This study examines Guilin City,China,as a representative case study due to its rich landscape resources and status as a national innovation demonstration zone for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.This study uses bibliometric visualization tools like CiteSpace and VOSviewer to analyze research trends from 1980 to 2021 in the Chinese Academic Journal Network Publishing Database(CNKI).The results show increasing academic interest over three stages:initiation(1982-1997),exploration(1998-2004),and diversified development(2005-2021).Contributions are predominantly from local academic and tourism sectors,indicating a strong regional influence;however,relatively weak interinstitutional collaboration occurs,suggesting potential for more integrated research efforts.Primary research is also concentrated within economic disciplines,particularly tourism-related ones.The evolution of research frontiers reveals three main paths:urban development strategies,industrial economic theories and empirical validation,and ecosystem analysis and evaluation.A multidisciplinary approach and stronger collaborative efforts are crucial to enhance research on ecological values and empirical models while supporting evidence-based urban development strategies in Guilin City and comparable cities globally.

Design of a sustainable development path in Chenzhou based on a knowledge graph

Sustainable urban development involves many fields with complex data types and rich semantic relationships,such as the economic,societal,and ecological fields.Knowledge graphs provide a new means for sustainable urban development research by leveraging their strengths in the construction of knowledge networks and display of knowledge associations.Focusing on Chenzhou,a resource-based city serving as a China’s Innovation Demonstration Zone for Sustainable Development Agenda,this study adopted a top-down approach,applying the“seven-step”and“skeleton”methods to construct an ontology for sustainable urban development through manual editing.A knowledge graph was constructed for Chenzhou’s sustainable development,comprising 515 nodes,3209 relations,and 28157 attributes.Sustainable measures and pathways were proposed based on this knowledge graph.The results showed that Chenzhou’s future sustainable development should focus on innovation,growth,emissions reduction,centering around high-quality and sustainable development.Promoting the transfer and transformation of scientific and technological achievements,accelerating the optimization and upgrading of industrial structures,and enhancing talent cultivation and recruitment will foster new quality productive forces,providing strong momentum and support for the high-quality and sustainable development of Chenzhou.To accelerate the green economy transition,Chenzhou should improve the market-oriented allocation system for resources and environmental factors,explore the“gross ecosystem product+eco environment-oriented development”project implementation model,encourage enterprises to adopt environmental,social,and governance principles,and foster synergies between supply and demand.Furthermore,coordinating Chenzhou’s low-carbon city pilot projects and constructing carbon sequestration pathways that leverage nature-based solutions will help implement the“dual carbon”actions and enhance the city’s ability to respond to climate change.

Construction of an indicator library for cities’sustainable development

Cities are key to countries’strategies for achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals(SDGs).In China,evaluating cities’sustainable development(CSD)processes and abilities requires establishing an indicator library for cities’sustainable development(ILCSD).Based on the SDG framework,and referring to typical evaluation systems and international standards,this study proposes an ILCSD,aiming to promote new urbanization and high-quality development in China.Using a step-by-step“eliminate-replace-augment”indicator selection method that takes mature indicators from existing standards for city evaluation,we form an ILCSD that responds to the SDGs while meeting China’s specific needs.Using the ILCSD,cities can select a set of indicators to assess and monitor their strengths and weaknesses.Through empirical analysis,we verify the feasibility of using ILCSD to construct a CSD evaluation system for Beijing,China.For the first time,ILCSD has established a mapping relationship between the core indicators from domestic and foreign standards of city development and the SDGs.It provides a tool for cities in different regions,at different stages of development and with different endowment types to select high-quality indicators according to local conditions,effectively solving the“last mile”problem of SDGs implementation at the city level.In the process of implementing indicators,we further suggest that important indicators with incomplete statistical data should nevertheless be included in the scope of cities’statistical monitoring.This study’s findings can facilitate China’s contribution to global sustainable development indicators and to future revisions of international standards.

Role of self-help groups on socioeconomic development and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)among rural women in Cooch Behar District,India

This study examines the transformative role of self-help groups(SHGs)in the socioeconomic development of rural women in Cooch Behar District,India,and their contribution toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)of the United Nations.In this study,we explored the effect of SHGs on rural women by specifically addressing SDGs,such as no poverty(SDG 1),zero hunger(SDG 2),good health and well-being(SDG 3),quality education(SDG 4),and gender equality(SDG 5).Given this issue,a cross-sectional survey and comparison analyses are needed to assess the socioeconomic development of rural women and their awareness level before and after the participation of rural women in SHGs.The survey conducted as part of this study was divided into three sections,namely,demographic characteristics,socioeconomic development,and awareness level,with each focusing on different aspects.A group of 400 individuals who were part of SHGs completed the questionnaire survey form.The results showed that the participation of rural women in SHGs significantly improved their socioeconomic development and awareness level,as supported by both mean values and t test results.Memberships in SHGs and microcredit programs were the major elements that boosted the socioeconomic development of rural women,which also achieves SDGs 1,2,3,4,and 5.This study revealed that participation in SHGs and related financial services significantly aided rural women in economically disadvantaged communities in accumulating savings and initiating entrepreneurial ventures.Moreover,participation in SHGs was instrumental in enhancing the self-confidence,self-efficacy,and overall self-esteem of rural women.Finally,doing so enabled them to move more freely for work and other activities and to make family and common decisions.

Food Security Problems and Solutions in China Based on the Strategy of Sustainable Agricultural Development

China attaches great importance to food security.With the strong promotion of the government,Chinas grain output has achieved a great feat from"shortage"to"surplus in bumper years"and then to"rising steadily",achieving a record"increase for the tenth consecutive year".From the current balance of food supply and demand in China,the food security situation can be guaranteed on the whole.However,if we analyze the food security in China from the perspective of agricultural sustainable development strategy,there are some difficulties,such as the reduction of cultivated land area,the decline of cultivated land quality,the fragility of agricultural ecological environment,and the transformation of residentsconsumption structure.This paper analyzes the difficulties faced by the development of food security in China under the strategy of sustainable agricultural development,and puts forward that to implement the strategy of sustainable agricultural development,it is necessary to realize the coordinated development of food security,science and technology,ecological environment,resources and society.

Sustainable-Driven Business Model Innovation in Management

The concept of sustainability has evolved to become an engine of innovation in business models in numerous sectors.Businesses are increasingly aware of the need to incorporate sustainable practices to generate value over time while tackling environmental and social issues.This paper examines how companies use sustainability as a source of innovation in developing new market ventures and profit-increasing strategies.Based on case studies and analyses,the paper demonstrates how sustainable innovation struggling in businesses is evidenced in real-time and suggests principles and difficulties put positive changes in place.

Economy Function in the Mode of Sustainable Development

To implement the previously formulated principles of sustainable economic development, all solutions of the linear system of equations and inequalities, which are satisfied by the vector of real consumption, are completely described. It is established that the vector of real consumption with the minimum level of excess supply is determined by the solution of some quadratic programming problem. The necessary and sufficient conditions are established under which the economic system, described by the “input-output” production model, functions in the mode of sustainable development. A complete description of the equilibrium states for which markets are partially cleared in the economy model of production “input-output” is given, on the basis that all solutions of system of linear equations and inequalities are completely described. The existence of a family of taxation vectors in the “input-output” model of production, under which the economic system is able to function in the mode of sustainable development, is proved. Restrictions were found for the vector of taxation in the economic system, under which the economic system is able to function in the mode of sustainable development.

Innovative Technologies for Large-Scale Water Production in Arid Regions: Strategies for Sustainable Development

Water scarcity in arid regions poses significant challenges to sustainable development and human well-being. This article explores both existing and innovative technologies and methods to produce large amounts of water to address these challenges effectively. Key approaches include atmospheric water generation, advanced desalination techniques, innovative water collection methods such as fog nets and dew harvesting, geothermal water extraction, and water recycling and reuse. Each method is evaluated for its feasibility with existing technology, potential time of implementation, required investments, and specific challenges. By leveraging these technologies and combining them into a multifaceted water management strategy, it is possible to enhance water security, support agricultural and industrial activities, and improve living conditions in arid regions. Collaborative efforts between governments, private sector entities, and research institutions are crucial to advancing these technologies and ensuring their sustainable implementation. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of these technologies, their potential for large-scale application, and recommendations for future research and development.

Exploring Sustainable Energy Futures: Assessing the Viability of CanmetENERG’s Hydropower Initiatives in Cameroon

This study examines how hydroelectric power projects, specifically the CanmetENERG initiative in Cameroon, play a crucial part in promoting sustainable development. Hydropower, seen as a cheap, local, and sustainable power source, is given top priority in government funding plans, especially in emerging nations. By making use of the RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software, the analysis examines the financial feasibility of different choices for CanmetENERG, emphasizing the importance of a holistic strategy that incorporates economic, environmental, and social factors in project development. The importance of factoring in environmental, social, and cultural aspects in project development is highlighted by the substantial influence of tunnel construction on total expenses. The paper suggests harnessing Cameroon’s unused hydroelectric capacity while following sustainable development principles and international standards. It emphasizes the need for a well-rounded strategy that focuses on economic sustainability in addition to environmental and social issues to guarantee Cameroon’s energy market can sustain itself. Moreover, the research emphasizes the continuing need for advancements in hydroelectric power through research and technology, encouraging cooperation between academia, industry, and policymakers. Community involvement and stakeholder engagement are considered essential for inclusive decision-making and socially responsible project development. It is advised to use adaptive management tactics to deal with changing environmental and socio-economic circumstances. The CanmetENERG case study showcases a model for responsible and sustainable hydropower development that boosts the country’s energy security and environmental resilience. Apart from this particular instance, the study provides more extensive perspectives on effective methods for sustainable energy development, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining a good balance between energy security, economic feasibility, and ecological sustainability. It requires a strategic shift towards self-sufficiency in energy and decreased reliance on imports. The article envisions a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to shaping the future of hydroelectricity, emphasizing continuous research, technological advancements, and the involvement of key stakeholders. By promoting creativity, eco-friendly practices, and community engagement, hydroelectric projects can act as catalysts for sustainable development, making valuable contributions to society.

Hungry and Angry Society: Implications for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Hunger is a physiological need,but the production and consumption of adequate and balanced food is a function of social forces.At every point,social,political,and economic processes intervene,for better or(more common)for worse.Food is one fundamental need of human beings for survival.But in Nigeria there is widespread food shortage and hunger.Development scholars have put forward reasons why poverty,hunger persists in the country,from the platitudes about population growth,inadequate implementation of agricultural policies,and neglect of agriculture,bad leadership,corruption,and the issue of distribution.Nigeria is richly blessed with arable land and citizens eager to unlock its food potentials.Unfortunately,this is far from being realized as the country depends on foreign countries for food,a situation that is tragic and sad.She spends about$10 billion a year importing food and agricultural products,the majority of which are wheat,rice,poultry,fish,and consumer-oriented foods.The pressure on the exchange rate results in devaluation-triggered inflation and food costs that fly up beyond the grasp of people at the bottom of the ladder as it is now is one of the negative repercussions of high food importation bills.Examining the effects of hunger is one of this paper’s key concerns and goals,and anger crisis for achieving sustainable development in the country using the Frustration-Aggression Theory,The Relative Deprivation and Political Economy Approach as guide.

Development of Sustainable Urban-Rural Integration:Dongtan Case Study

The environmental impact issues,such as global warming and expansion of the urban zone,seem more serious and have become the biggest defining challenges of the 21st century.Climate change can lead to water shortages,desertification,land degradation,air pollution,rising sea levels,accelerated deforestation,and exacerbated economic pressures.Global urban growth greatly impacts changes in sociability,humanity,and the environment of the Earth.The human presence,especially in cities,seriously affects resource use and waste disposal,and they are consuming natural resources faster than the planet can sustain during urbanization,changing how people live.China,with a population of 1.3 billion,has seen tens of millions of people living in the countryside migrate to cities,especially megacities,since the 1980s.As a result of its decision to industrialize and urbanize to boost the economy,China has become the world’s second-largest consumer of energy.In recent years,China’s government has quickly recognized the lessons of“limits to growth”and has taken action by initiating the construction process in Dongtan,Shanghai,China.They are making efforts to build urban-rural integration communities to promote sustainable development.Based on a literature review focusing on Dongtan,research questions are raised according to the research objective:(1)What are the challenges of sustainable development in urban-rural integration?(2)What practices has Dongtan implemented for sustainable development,or how is sustainable development being applied to Dongtan?(3)What are the social,political,environmental,and economic concerns regarding the sustainable development of Dongtan?The sustainable urban-rural integration concerns the ecological,economic,environmental,and psychological aspects of urban-rural integration design and management.The overall objective is to promote sustainable development in economic,social,ecological,and spatial dimensions.It will be a liveable,complete community that makes economic,environmental,and social sense locally while also contributing to national and global sustainable development.It will serve as a compelling model for how to build sustainable urban-rural integration worldwide.

The Sustainable Development Pathway of the Biomedical Industry Based on Environmental,Social,and Governance(ESG)Concepts

There is a growing global awareness of environmental,social,and governance(ESG)concerns.The biopharmaceutical industry is an important field that affects human health and well-being,and its sustainable development is now the industry’s focus.Based on the current state of the green development of China’s biopharmaceutical industry,the article proposes suggestions and paths for promoting the industry to better fulfill its social responsibilities and protect the environment while pursuing economic benefits.By doing so,the industry can make a greater contribution to global public health and become an important factor in promoting human health and social prosperity.

The Impact of Sustainable Development Strategies on Corporate Performance

Enterprises must develop and implement effective strategic measures to achieve sustainable development.This entails evaluating corporate performance,understanding the impact of sustainable development strategies on corporate performance,and implementing such strategies.The article proposes eight critical countermeasures to foster harmony and sustainable development among humanity,nature,the economy,and society:innovation-driven initiatives,green development practices,social responsibility initiatives,talent cultivation programs,collaborative cooperation efforts,sound financial management,brand-building endeavors,and effective information management.