Article

This study examines how community-based communication shapes public understanding and participation in sustainability initiatives surrounding the development of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara. The research focuses on five partner regions in East Kalimantan: Balikpapan City, Samarinda City, Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) Regency, Kutai Kartanegara (Kukar) Regency, and Paser Regency. Using a qualitative multiple-case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten key informants, including indigenous leaders, youth representatives, community leaders, and local government public relations officials. The findings reveal that although formal communication channels, such as government events, digital platforms, and public outreach programs, are widely used to disseminate information about Nusantara’s development, community understanding of sustainability narratives is largely shaped by informal, interpersonal communication networks. Social gatherings, cultural forums, and everyday community interactions function as mediating spaces that translate policy narratives into locally meaningful practices. Cross-case analysis further identifies recurring patterns of fragmented communication structures, generational differences, and tensions between centralized policy narratives and decentralized governance contexts. The study proposes community-based communication as a bridging mechanism connecting national sustainability discourse with local participatory legitimacy in large-scale development initiatives.

This study investigates the integration of social equity considerations into sustainable development initiatives within the United Kingdom using a quantitative research methodology. Data were collected through a structured survey administered to 500 policymakers, practitioners, and community members involved in sustainability projects. The analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between social equity integration and the perceived effectiveness of these initiatives. Key findings indicate that initiatives incorporating social equity considerations are more effective in addressing social inequalities, although challenges such as funding constraints, inadequate policy support, and stakeholder resistance persist. Additionally, successful initiatives often involve inclusive decision-making processes that engage marginalized communities. The study underscores the need for comprehensive evaluations of the long-term impacts of equity-focused sustainability initiatives, the development of inclusive processes that integrate traditional and local knowledge with modern practices, and context-specific solutions tailored to different socio-economic and environmental conditions. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and practitioners aiming to promote both environmental sustainability and social equity in their efforts.

In the context of the global transition to carbon neutrality, photovoltaic power generation has become an important driver of clean energy expansion. In response to the practical problems of inconsistent accounting standards in the photovoltaic industry and the fragmentation of related research dimensions, this paper examines the actual effects of financial accounting standardization on the operational costs, financial risks, financing efficiency, and market value of photovoltaic enterprises. Using 72-panel observation data on 12 A-share photovoltaic-listed companies from 2021 to 2026 as the research sample, a regression analysis was conducted using the two-way fixed-effects model. Based on the annual report text, the four standardized levels of cost accounting, risk control, green financing, and carbon asset disclosure were measured using a 1-5 Likert scale, and all continuous variables were subjected to 1% bilateral truncation. The regression results show that the coefficient of cost accounting standardization is -0.103, and the coefficient of financial risk control improvement is -0.138. Both are significantly reducing enterprise operational costs and asset-liability risks at the 1% statistical level. The coefficient of green financing diversification is 0.076, and the coefficient of carbon asset standardized disclosure is 0.105. Both are significantly improving enterprise financing efficiency and Tobin’s Q valuation at the 1% statistical level. All research hypotheses are supported by the data. Based on the empirical findings, this paper proposes practical recommendations for cost allocation, risk warning, green financing, and carbon asset accounting. The related quantitative conclusions can provide an empirical basis for financial management in photovoltaic enterprises and for the formulation of industry accounting norms.

The limited influence of African women on resources and decision-making has posed significant challenges to their capabilities and empowerment for decades. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of financial inclusion in advancing women’s economic empowerment within the Nigerian context, drawing on data from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The analysis focuses on women’s empowerment in terms of their participation in decision-making related to their own earnings and healthcare. Key financial inclusion variables include the use of mobile money and account ownership. The findings reveal that the odds of women making decisions regarding their earnings and healthcare are approximately 36% and 25% higher, respectively, for those who use mobile phones for financial transactions compared to those who do not. Additionally, women without an account in a financial institution exhibit approximately 42% and 32% lower odds of making decisions about their earnings and healthcare, respectively. This research contributes to the literature on digital financial inclusion and highlights its pivotal role in enhancing women's empowerment and promoting gender equality in Nigeria.

This paper examines how climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and digital early-warning systems can jointly support household food-security resilience in Chivi District, a drought-prone area of south-eastern Zimbabwe dominated by rain-fed smallholder agriculture. Using a structured qualitative evidence synthesis with a district-centred case orientation, the study reviews 47 academic, policy and institutional sources published from 2021 to 14 September 2026. The study prioritises direct Chivi evidence, while using Zimbabwean, southern African, and wider African evidence comparatively where district-specific studies are limited. The synthesis identifies six interrelated themes concerning climate shocks, CSA adoption, small grains and water management, digital early warning, gender and institutional capacity, and integrated resilience. The findings indicate that CSA can strengthen food security when extension, inputs, finance, and markets support conservation agriculture, crop diversification, small grains, soil-fertility management, and water harvesting. However, digital early-warning information contributes to resilience only when it is timely, trusted, localised and translated into feasible action. Accordingly, the paper's principal contribution is an integrated smart-resilience framework centred on an information-to-action pathway: climate information can influence household food-security resilience only when farmers have viable adaptation options and the material, social and institutional capacity to act. The paper therefore treats digital information, agronomic adaptation, gender, household resources and local institutions as interdependent rather than separate interventions.

This study assessed the influence of crop farming on soil chemical properties within the Tungu–Nithi sub-catchment, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Soil samples were collected from twelve sites, comprising six crop (T1–T6) and six non-crop (N1–N6) locations across the upper, middle, and lower sections of the watershed. The parameters analyzed included soil pH, nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate. In addition, farmer perceptions regarding the influence of agricultural practices on soil quality were evaluated using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test. The results revealed significant spatial and land-use variations in soil properties (p < 0.05). Cultivated areas exhibited consistently lower pH values, indicating increased soil acidity associated with the application of ammonium-based fertilizers in tea, maize, and coffee farming. Nitrate concentrations were significantly higher in crop sites across all sections, with peak levels recorded in the middle section. Similarly, phosphate and sulphate concentrations were elevated in cultivated soils, particularly in the middle and lower sections, reflecting intensive farming practices, fertilizer inputs, irrigation, and nutrient transport processes. Farmer perception data supported these findings, as the majority of respondents acknowledged that fertilizer use, irrigation, pesticide application, and monocropping influence soil conditions. These findings demonstrate that crop farming significantly alters soil chemical properties within the sub-catchment, highlighting the need for sustainable soil and watershed management strategies to prevent nutrient accumulation and environmental degradation.

This study aims to investigate the integration of renewable energy systems into urban planning, a crucial strategy for sustainable urban development. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study combines quantitative analysis of data from ten cities and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews and case studies of Copenhagen, Freiburg, and Masdar City. The quantitative analysis reveals a significant positive relationship between policy support and renewable energy adoption, indicating that cities with robust policy frameworks are more likely to achieve higher shares of renewable energy. Technological advancements and community engagement emerged as critical enablers, with innovative renewable energy technologies and active public participation contributing to the successful implementation of renewable energy projects. The case studies provide in-depth examples of best practices and innovative approaches to integrating renewable energy systems. Challenges such as high upfront costs, variability of renewable energy sources, and regulatory barriers are identified, alongside recommendations for addressing these issues through supportive policies, financial incentives, and technological innovations. The findings highlight the importance of coordinated efforts across technological, economic, policy, and social dimensions to promote renewable energy integration in urban areas. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to achieve sustainable and resilient urban development through the integration of renewable energy systems.

This study aims to identify how solar adoption can alleviate energy poverty and sustain development in rural Zimbabwe, Chivi District. The research was qualitative, consisting of semi-structured interviews with locals, government officials and stakeholders, and secondary data collection. These results indicate large socioeconomic upsides, such as increased study time with solar lighting, better storage and healthcare provision through solar-powered refrigeration, and greater agricultural yields through solar irrigation. Despite these advantages, major impediments like the high initial cost of installing solar systems and the lack of technical support in-country hinder widespread deployment. Those outcomes require specific interventions, such as subsidies, capacity building to raise technical knowledge, and new forms of financing to improve affordability. Addressing these challenges allows governments, NGOs and the private sector to scale solar technologies for energy equity, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability, as defined by SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action).

Sustainability is increasingly recognised as a strategic and operational priority, yet many organisations struggle to translate sustainability ambitions into coherent practice. Swedish organisations, operating within a trust-based and participatory context, offer valuable insights into how sustainability processes evolve across sectors. This study explores how sustainability processes are structured, implemented, and led within Swedish organisations. It examines how sustainability develops from strategic intent to everyday practice and identifies the leadership and learning mechanisms that support progress from compliance toward transformation. A qualitative multiple-case study of 30 organisations across public, private, and non-profit sectors was conducted. Data were collected through document analysis, interviews, and process mapping, and were analysed thematically to identify patterns in process maturity, leadership, and organisational learning. Three maturity stages emerged: reactive, integrative, and transformative. While most organisations had moved beyond basic compliance, few achieved systemic integration. Ecological initiatives were generally the strongest, whereas social and economic dimensions remained underdeveloped. Participatory and trust-based leadership was associated with higher maturity, deeper learning, and shared responsibility. Conversely, fragmented systems and diffuse accountability hindered sustainability progress. The study proposes the Continuous Sustainable Improvement (CSI) model, linking quality management with regenerative learning to conceptualise sustainability as an ongoing organisational process. Practitioner-based cases provided authentic insights but limited longitudinal assessment. The findings reframe sustainability as a continuous, learning-oriented practice rather than a compliance exercise. Organisations should integrate sustainability into core systems, balance structural discipline with cultural engagement, and utilise feedback mechanisms and cross-sector partnerships to support innovation. This approach strengthens trust, inclusivity, and collective responsibility, enhancing both organisational capability and social resilience.

This study explores the impact of sustainable agricultural practices, specifically precision farming, agroforestry, and organic farming, on food security and environmental sustainability. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, case studies, and document analysis. The findings indicate that these practices significantly enhance crop yields, improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce water usage, thereby contributing to both food security and environmental sustainability. However, the adoption of these practices faces challenges such as high initial costs, technical knowledge requirements, and inadequate infrastructure. The study underscores the importance of supportive policies, financial incentives, and robust extension services to overcome these barriers. The insights provided are valuable for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers aiming to advance sustainable agriculture and promote a resilient agricultural future.