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Handbook of Sustainable Development

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Abstract

This timely and important Handbook takes stock of progress made in our understanding of what sustainable development actually is and how it can be measured and achieved. This fully updated and revised second edition captures recent developments in the field, adding 14 new chapters by internationally renowned authors from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. The authors explain that the gap between public commitments to sustainable development and real-world action towards achieving it is still significant, but not insurmountable, and that opportunities do exist to reduce that margin. Contributors synthesize the established knowledge and clearly present cutting edge concepts from the frontier of sustainability research with direct relevance to theory and practice. Topics covered include: the fundamentals of sustainability; equity within and between generations; the capital approach; green growth; measurements and indicators of sustainability; climate change and wellbeing. This accessible, comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to exploring the theory and practice of sustainable development will prove an invaluable reference tool for researchers, students, academics and practitioners with an interest in the field of sustainable development.
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... Thus, progressing towards sustainable development implies that the objectives of increasing economic efficiency and material wealth must take human and environmental objectives into account. Despite the evolution of the concept of sustainable development over time and the emergence of many definitions for it, yet all of these definitions still somehow stem from the original definition set in the Brundtland's report "Our Common Future" (WCED, 1987), and all of them admit that the most applicable method for sustaining the development and securing future generations' well-being is to ensure that the aggregate stock of both man-made and natural capital available to next generations is at least equal to the current aggregate stock (Atkinson et al., 2007). 5 Over the years, many international agreements have been established to address sustainable development issues. ...
... (Gibbs et al., 1998;Noël and O'Connor, 1998;Neumayer, 2010;Neumayer, 2012). The only thing that matters within the weak sustainability framework is maintaining the total value of the aggregate stock of capital to be non-declining (Costanza and Daly, 1992;Solow, 1993;Altwegg et al., 2004;Atkinson et al., 2007). 6 The very weak and the very strong sustainability positions have generally been considered in literature to be less presumable. ...
... Also, these approaches do not identify a holistic environmental policy, in which the required level of environmental quality is determined and the environmental risks to health are addressed. Atkinson et al (2007) indicated that the assumption of perfect substitutability between the different forms of capital is not realistic, since manufactured capital and natural capital are considered to be fundamentally complementary, and can only be interchanged marginally (Costanza and Daly, 1992;Rees and Wackernagel, 1996;Harris, 2000;Ekins et al., 2003). Also, weak sustainability perspectives ignore referring to the cost of substitution between production factors or the hardships associated with it, as the society may have to make considerable sacrifices in order to obtain one extra unit of some form of capital. ...
Thesis
The overlaps and interactions between social, environmental, and economic considerations, being the three pillars of sustainable development, can have important implications and pose peculiar challenges for the policy and management of development strategies, especially for developing countries. However, existing empirical works do not usually investigate the links among these three pillars simultaneously. Among these convoluted links, the link between health and economic performance and the way environmental degradation affects this link, particularly stands out. This work consists of three studies. In the first study, we develop a simultaneous system of equations in order to analyze the association between environmental degradation, represented by ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, poor health in terms of the burden of non-communicable diseases attributable to ambient PM2.5 air pollution, and economic performance. Our findings suggest that air pollution significantly contributes to the slowing down of economic performance in many countries through its impact on health, and that efforts to reduce air pollution through policy intervention can result in great social and economic benefits. In the second study we also use a system of simultaneous equations in order to study the driving forces of environmental degradation in Egypt and the way they affect the country's chances for sustaining development. Our findings highlight the role of population growth as a major driving force of environmental degradation in Egypt, which adversely affects public health, consequently lowering labour productivity. In the third study, we report the results of a contingent valuation (CV) survey we conducted in Egypt in order to estimate the economic value of air quality and the value of reducing the health risks associated with ambient PM2.5 air pollution, which represent key inputs into the estimation of the benefits and costs of air pollution mitigation strategies and policies.
... Actividades productivas Los productores de agave y mezcal, realizan otras actividades productivas para complementar el ingreso familiar, lo que denota que existe margen de especialización y que no todo el año, se ocupan de esta actividad. En tal sentido, Atkinson et al. (2014) señala que la diversificación productiva, como estrategia de reproducción, incluye atributos sostenibles, como la búsqueda de viabilidad económica de la empresa, producción de alimentos en sus terrenos, tanto para venta como autoconsumo y la preservación del conocimiento local. Estos resultados, están en consonancia con lo reportado por Vega y Pérez (2017), quienes destacan que, 84% de los productores mezcaleros, complementan sus ingresos con otras actividades productivas. ...
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El objetivo de esta investigación, fue explicar el conocimiento y saber local de los productores de mezcal. La metodología fue cualitativa; se utilizaron la entrevista en profundidad y la observación participativa, que permitieron una visión holística de la dinámica de la producción de mezcal y el acercamiento a los actores y saberes ancestrales. La recolección de datos de una muestra de 42 unidades de producción y ocho comunida­des, se realizó usando el método de bola de nieve. Los productores tienen edad promedio de 51 años, 70% de ellos, con escolaridad de 9 años o menos y mantienen una estrategia de pluriactividad para generar sus ingre­sos: 63% venta de mezcal y combinan actividades agropecuarias y no agropecuarias (37%). La elaboración de mezcal (artesanal y ancestral) tiene cinco procesos: el acopio de agave, horneado, fermentación, destilación y envasado. La mano de obra, es principalmente familiar. La actividad, la realizan productores de cuarta gene­ración, 74% de ellos, pertenecen a alguna organización y 88%, participan en dos o más etapas de la cadena Agave-mezcal; en donde el conocimiento y saber local, son parte esencial de las estrategias de subsistencia y permanencia de los hogares en el territorio estudiado. Para afianzar la permanencia de la elaboración de mezcal como generadora de bienestar social, son necesarias políticas de apoyo, hasta ahora escasas, la conservación del recurso genético, investigación agronómica, capacitación comercial y dotación de servicios a las comunidades.
... This approach provides a more accurate assessment of sustainability by capturing the true savings available for future well-being and development (3,21). Additionally, the World Bank (74) and Atkinson et al. (75) recommend ANS as a primary indicator for evaluating economic growth and sustainable development strategies. ...
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In this study, we explore the nexus between sustainable development and finance, with a specific focus on the African region–a critical yet underexplored context in the existing literature. Against the backdrop of evolving challenges in financial inclusion, improved access, and the growing prevalence of financial technology (FinTech), we aim to fill a research gap by investigating the connection between FinTech, financial inclusion, and sustainable development. The empirical exploration spans 25 African countries from 2011 to 2019, employing econometric methods such as dynamic panel (SGMM two-steps) and static panel (OLS, FE, LSDV). Utilizing key indicators like Adjusted Net Savings (ANS) and Gross Saving rate (GS), our findings reveal a substantial positive impact of financial inclusion and FinTech on sustainable development. However, an intriguing discovery emerges as the interaction between these variables exhibits a weak negative and significant effect. As a unique contribution to the existing literature, we estimate marginal effects at various levels of FinTech and financial inclusion on sustainable development. Beyond insights, our study offers vital policy recommendations, emphasizing the necessity for improved collaboration among financial service providers to avoid redundancy. Furthermore, we highlight the critical need to expand financial infrastructure, advocate for FinTech promotion, and foster inter-African cooperation.
... By addressing challenges, leveraging technological advancements, and embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, the field can propel us toward a future where sustainable materials play a pivotal role in shaping a more environmentally conscious world. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] ...
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In the face of escalating environmental concerns, the imperative of achieving sustainability has gained unprecedented significance. This paper elucidates the integral and transformative role played by the field of materials science in advancing sustainability objectives. By catalyzing the development of novel materials and technologies with diminished environmental impacts, materials science becomes a linchpin in the journey towards sustainability. This study delves into the multifaceted dimensions through which materials science contributes, encompassing resource efficiency, energy conservation, waste management, and emission reduction. Concrete case studies and real-world instances underscore the tangible impact of materials science on diverse sectors including construction, electronics, and healthcare. As the global community strives to address pressing environmental challenges, the nexus between materials science and sustainability emerges as pivotal. The paper concludes by advocating for sustained interdisciplinary efforts in materials science to pave the way for a harmonious coexistence between technological advancement and ecological integrity, ultimately steering us towards a sustainable future.
... The concept of ESD emphasizes environmental issues related to social, educational, and economic issues. The goal of ESD is to balance the welfare and improvement of human life globally in space and time, and preserve natural resources and ecosystems (Atkinson, et al, 2014). ...
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Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an effort to realise the goals listed in the SDGs. ESD is an alternative approach to the field of education to prepare a generation that has an awareness of sustainable life. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the application of the problem-based learning model on students' critical thinking skills on SDGs-oriented environmental pollution materials. The research method employed was a quasi-experimental with the control group pretest-posttest design. In determining the sample, the researchers employed purposive sampling techniques by considering the differences in academic achievement, differences between the two classes, and differences in the number of students. Therefore, class VII B with 27 students was chosen as the experimental class and class VII E with 25 students was chosen as the control class. The types of data used were quantitative. The pretest-posttest in the experimental class obtained an N-gain score of 0.58 in the medium criterion. The normality test in the experimental class obtained a score of Sig 0.48, which was lower than 0.05. Conversely, the control class obtained a score of Sig 0.20, which was lower than 0.05. The homogeneity result was Sig 0.12, which was lower than 0.05. The hypothesis testing using the independent-sample t-test, a Sig (2-tailed) value of 0.00 was obtained, and the results of the effect size test were 1.77 with the high criterion. Therefore, there was a significant effect of using the SDG-oriented PBL model towards critical thinking skills on the topic of environmental pollution.
... Like the previous programmes, the NDP is aimed at creating employment and alleviating deep-rooted poverty. This comes at a time when Atkinson (2014) reports an upward trend of rural decline and urban growth in South Africa. This is evidenced by the dual economy, where rural and urban economies are poorly integrated (Mbatha et al., 2018). ...
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The post-apartheid South African government prioritises rural development as a tool for reversing the apartheid government legacies of injustice, poverty, and black people's marginalisation, particularly in the former homelands of Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda land. This is evidenced by the implementation of diverse rural development policies and strategies such as the Land Reform Programme the Rural Development Strategy, and the National Development Plan vision 2030. Despite these efforts, evidence shows that most of the policies, such as the Land Reform Programme, have largely failed to promote rural development owing to specific implementation gaps. Bearing in mind these past failures, this paper seeks to assess the socioeconomic conditions in the rural municipalities of the Eastern Cape that fall under the former homelands. This assessment will help to understand the gains and failures made through the rural development currently being implemented, such as the National Development Plan vision 2030. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 413 participants who were selected using the multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were gathered through closed-ended questionnaires. The results were obtained using SPSS version 27 and analytical tools such as frequencies, cross-tabulation, and the Chi-square test. Results indicated that despite 28 years of implementing rural development policies and strategies, socioeconomic conditions are still unsatisfactory in the study area. This is evidenced by low income levels, high unemployment, and limited livelihood activities. To salvage the situation, policies and rural development strategies that are informed by the voices, aspirations, and needs of local communities are urgently required. More so, livelihood diversification should be at the centre of rural development to increase income levels and standards of living.
Article
Inclusive green growth offers countries seeking new sources of growth an optimistic and realistic alternative that makes economic, environmental and social sense. Existing studies examine the moderating role of various factors in the relationship between economic complexity and certain components of green and inclusive growth, but the role of education is less well known. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the moderating role of public expenditure of education in the relationship between economic complexity and inclusive green growth, for the period 2000–2020. On this basis, the study uses several empirical methods to examine the effect of economic complexity on inclusive green growth, as a function of public expenditure of education. The results indicate that economic complexity has a positive effect on inclusive green growth and that positive effect is strengthened when economic complexity interacts with public expenditure of education. The results also show that internet access, industrial employment, female labour force participation, trade openness, institutional quality, household consumption and natural resource rents are important determinants of inclusive green growth. Furthermore, when disaggregating inclusive green growth, the results obtained show that public spending on education essentially play a moderating role in the relationship between economic complexity and inclusive growth. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that the moderating role of public expenditure in the relationship between economic complexity and inclusive green growth is more important in developing countries of Asia and the Middle East, followed by those of Latin America. The results of the study have important policy implications for policy makers in developing countries in promoting inclusive and green growth.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of human life worldwide. This virus makes people aware of the importance of the environment and the relationship between humans and the environment. One of the awareness is the transition from fossil energy to renewable energy. This article aims to explore the opportunities to develop renewable energy in Indonesia from an environmental law perspective and to reduce the obstacle in energy utilization to advancing renewable energy development. To achieve the aims, the writer uses the doctrinal method. This research adopted a qualitative research method to conduct the research objectives of this study. This article describes the theories of environmental law that grow and develop from human relations. The environment has a vital role in encouraging human behaviour that supports a better normal life that is more harmonious with the environment. The environmental phenomenon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is triggering the transition from fossil energy to renewable energy, especially in Indonesia. The Indonesian government should ratify regulations related to renewable energy immediately to reduce the obstacles to renewable energy development, such as environmental problems.
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Τα περιβαλλοντικά προβλήματα είναι ιδιαίτερα πολύπλοκα, καθώς προκύπτουν από την αλληλεπίδραση σύνθετων συστημάτων. Η αποτελεσματική προσέγγισή τους, χωρίς την ανάπτυξη της συστημικής σκέψης είναι αδύνατη, αφού πρέπει να κατανοηθούν οι διαδραστικές σχέσεις που τα προκαλούν. Το ιδανικό συστημικό πλαίσιο εντός του οποίου μπορούν να μελετηθούν είναι της αειφορίας, η οποία ως συστημική έννοια, συνιστά έναν νέο τρόπο μακροπρόθεσμης σκέψης κατάλληλο για την ολιστική προσέγγιση των σύνθετων προβλημάτων που καλείται να αντιμετωπίσει η ανθρωπότητα. Για την επίτευξη των στόχων της καθοριστικός θεωρείται ο ρόλος της Εκπαίδευσης για το Περιβάλλον και την Αειφορία (ΕΠΑ). Ωστόσο, η σημερινή πραγματικότητα της ΕΠΑ καταδεικνύει ότι η προσέγγιση των περιβαλλοντικών θεμάτων παραμένει, στις περισσότερες των περιπτώσεων μονοδιάστατη και γραμμική. Τα περισσότερα σχολικά προγράμματα της ΕΠΑ εστιάζουν στις περιβαλλοντικές διαστάσεις των προβλημάτων και συνήθως δεν γίνονται οι απαραίτητες διασυνδέσεις με τα οικονομικά και κοινωνικά, ή και όταν γίνονται, είναι γενικόλογες και ασαφείς. Η ΕΠΑ στο παιδαγωγικό της πλαίσιο περιλαμβάνει συμμετοχικές μεθόδους διδασκαλίας, τις οποίες καλείται να αξιοποιήσει, για να καλλιεργήσει τη συστημική σκέψη και να την εφαρμόσει στην εκπαιδευτική πράξη, προκειμένου να συμβάλει στην αλλαγή του τρόπου που σκέπτονται οι μαθητές/τριες, άρα και πώς ενεργούν, ώστε να βοηθήσουν στην επίτευξη των 17 αλληλένδετων στόχων της αειφόρου ανάπτυξης.
Thesis
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CHARACTERIZATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE PRODUCTION OF AGAVE AND MEZCAL IN THE STATE OF PUEBLA Erika Benítez García, D.C. Colegio de Postgraduados, 2023 ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to characterize the production process of artisanal agave and mezcal to analyze the level of sustainability of these systems. To achieve the objectives, data from a survey were analyzed; 42 artisanal mezcal producers from the municipalities of Tecali de Herrera, Tepeojuma, San Diego la Meza Tochimiltzingo, San Juan Tzicatlacoyan, Zapotitlán and Caltepec, belonging to the state of Puebla, were interviewed. The characterization was carried out with the use of multivariate analysis and the degree of sustainability was achieved through the construction of a Composite Sustainability Index (ICS) made up of social indicators such as family production, employment, organization, and training. Economic: Profitability, profit, and subsidies. Environmental: type of agave, use of energy, water, and recycling. Three mezcalero agave production agroecosystems were identified: agave cultivation in monoculture (AM), agave in diversified cultivation (ACD), and agave in transition to monoculture (ATM). The ACD and ATM production systems showed adaptations in agroecological management with the use of more than four species of agave and intercropping, characteristics that indicate a gradual transition from crop diversification to monoculture. The production process of artisanal mezcal represents the tacit local knowledge of the rural producing areas that have a Denomination of Origin, in addition to the characteristic and unique touch of each mezcal master when carrying out the mezcal production process, from the choice of what is called “pineapples” to their distillation, factors that determine the valuation and willingness to pay of consumers for certain cultural, quality, flavor and aroma attributes. Mezcal producers were stratified into three groups; high productive scale, medium production producers, and low productive scale producers. The variables that increase the sustainability of the system are the high level of schooling, the size of the farm, and the degree of capabilities. The greater use of wild agave reduces it.
Material in Chapters 2 and 22 by Kirk Hamilton and Esther Naikal, and Chapter 21 by Glenn-Marie Lange appears by kind permission of The World Bank. Figure 30.6 appears with kind permission from Springer Science and Business Media. It was adapted from Figure S-7 (in supplementary material
  • A Cherp
  • J Jewell
  • V Vinichenko
  • N Bauer
  • E Cian
Finally, we would also like to express our appreciation to all at Edward Elgar Publishing, and particularly Edward Elgar for the continued faith shown in this endeavour as well as this book's publishing editors, Alexandra O'Connell and Tori Nicols, and copy editor Yvonne Smith. We thank the following for permission to reprint or use material: University of Chicago Press for the use of Figure 7.1 in Chapter 7. This originally appeared in Norton, B. (2005) Sustainability: A Philosophy of Adaptive Ecosystem Management, University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Material in Chapters 2 and 22 by Kirk Hamilton and Esther Naikal, and Chapter 21 by Glenn-Marie Lange appears by kind permission of The World Bank. Figure 30.6 appears with kind permission from Springer Science and Business Media. It was adapted from Figure S-7 (in supplementary material) from Cherp, A., Jewell, J., Vinichenko, V., Bauer, N. and Cian, E. (2013), 'Global energy security under different climate policies, GDP growth rates and fossil resource availabilities', Climatic Change, pp. 1-12.