Electric bikes play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating the problem of global warming, and contributing to sustainable development. Also, it helps to reduce crude imports, save foreign currency, and strengthen the balance of payments. This study aims to create a multi-criteria approach based on an integrated analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-attributes border approximation area comparison (MABAC) that considers the various aspects of an Electric-bike’s (E-bike) performance and characteristics. The study results reveal that the AHP method performs best when making informed decisions regarding E-bikes. The eight criteria that were selected were the most desirable. Findings demonstrate buyers prioritized E-bikes' driving range (24 %) and battery capacity (21 %). The findings of this study support the idea of developing comprehensive selection criteria that consider the various features of an E-bike’s performance and characteristics. This study can be useful for low-performing electric scooter manufacturers to assess their benchmarks. The government should also facilitate adding more charging stations and battery-swapping facilities and tie up with petrol pumps, CNG stations, and other options. Based on the eight parameters in our study, Simple One ranked one, followed by Ola Pro and TVS iQube. The findings will be useful for manufacturers and policymakers to formulate and implement strategies to boost EV market penetration.
{"title":"Selecting E-bikes using a multi-criteria integrated analytic hierarchy approach for sustainable transportation option","authors":"Rohit Bansal , Yasmeen Ansari , Neha Gupta , Manika Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electric bikes play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating the problem of global warming, and contributing to sustainable development. Also, it helps to reduce crude imports, save foreign currency, and strengthen the balance of payments. This study aims to create a multi-criteria approach based on an integrated analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-attributes border approximation area comparison (MABAC) that considers the various aspects of an Electric-bike’s (E-bike) performance and characteristics. The study results reveal that the AHP method performs best when making informed decisions regarding E-bikes. The eight criteria that were selected were the most desirable. Findings demonstrate buyers prioritized E-bikes' driving range (24 %) and battery capacity (21 %). The findings of this study support the idea of developing comprehensive selection criteria that consider the various features of an E-bike’s performance and characteristics. This study can be useful for low-performing electric scooter manufacturers to assess their benchmarks. The government should also facilitate adding more charging stations and battery-swapping facilities and tie up with petrol pumps, CNG stations, and other options. Based on the eight parameters in our study, Simple One ranked one, followed by Ola Pro and TVS iQube. The findings will be useful for manufacturers and policymakers to formulate and implement strategies to boost EV market penetration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 94-108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143552999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aimed to analyze the association between tobacco and its substitutes use and psychosocial symptoms among adolescents, and to investigate whether these associations varied based on the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) index.
Methods
A pooled cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey from 2013 to the most recent available year, covering 47 countries and involving 187,329 adolescents aged 12–17 years. Log-binomial regression models were applied to analyze the association between current tobacco and substitutes use and psychosocial symptoms including suicide ideation, being lonely, and worrying. Further stratified analysis was performed with log-binomial regression models to analyze whether the associations differed under different national UHC index.
Results
The prevalence of psychosocial symptoms, including suicide ideation, being lonely, and worrying, were 14.1 %, 12.8 %, and 10.3 %, respectively. The prevalence of tobacco and its substitutes use was significantly higher among boys (20.9 % vs. 10.7 %; P < 0.001). Tobacco and its substitutes use was associated with greater risk of suicide ideation (boys: OR = 1.89, 95%CI 1.82–1.97; girls: OR = 2.33, 95%CI 2.26–2.40), being lonely (boys: OR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.51–1.64; girls: OR = 1.68, 95%CI 1.63,1.73), and worrying (boys: OR = 1.78, 95%CI 1.70,1.87; girls: OR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.76,1.89). The differences were also significant in all sex-stratified subgroup analyses (P < 0.001). These associations were greater in countries with lower UHC index, particularly tobacco-related risk of suicide ideation among girls.
Conclusion
Tobacco and its substitutes use is associated with increased risks of various psychosocial symptoms, including feelings of suicide ideation, being lonely, and worrying, in adolescents, particularly among girls and in countries with lower UHC index.
{"title":"Examining the association between tobacco and its substitutes use with psychosocial symptoms among 187,329 adolescents: A comparative analysis across 47 countries with varied universal health coverage index","authors":"Zichen Ye , Manman Chen , Xijie Wang , Zhilan Xie , Daqian Zhang , Dandan Wu , Yuankai Zhao , Yimin Qu , Yu Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to analyze the association between tobacco and its substitutes use and psychosocial symptoms among adolescents, and to investigate whether these associations varied based on the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) index.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A pooled cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey from 2013 to the most recent available year, covering 47 countries and involving 187,329 adolescents aged 12–17 years. Log-binomial regression models were applied to analyze the association between current tobacco and substitutes use and psychosocial symptoms including suicide ideation, being lonely, and worrying. Further stratified analysis was performed with log-binomial regression models to analyze whether the associations differed under different national UHC index.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The prevalence of psychosocial symptoms, including suicide ideation, being lonely, and worrying, were 14.1 %, 12.8 %, and 10.3 %, respectively. The prevalence of tobacco and its substitutes use was significantly higher among boys (20.9 % vs. 10.7 %; <em>P</em> < 0.001). Tobacco and its substitutes use was associated with greater risk of suicide ideation (boys: OR = 1.89, 95%CI 1.82–1.97; girls: OR = 2.33, 95%CI 2.26–2.40), being lonely (boys: OR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.51–1.64; girls: OR = 1.68, 95%CI 1.63,1.73), and worrying (boys: OR = 1.78, 95%CI 1.70,1.87; girls: OR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.76,1.89). The differences were also significant in all sex-stratified subgroup analyses (<em>P</em> < 0.001). These associations were greater in countries with lower UHC index, particularly tobacco-related risk of suicide ideation among girls.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Tobacco and its substitutes use is associated with increased risks of various psychosocial symptoms, including feelings of suicide ideation, being lonely, and worrying, in adolescents, particularly among girls and in countries with lower UHC index.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 128-135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143563592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2025.06.008
Raudlatul Jannah , Lala M. Kolopaking , Soeryo Adiwibowo , Syamsul Maarif
Amid growing global attention to climate change, this study explores the sociopolitical dynamics of institutionalizing climate knowledge in rural Indonesia by examining the implementation of the Climate Village Program (Proklim) in four villages in Probolinggo Regency. Drawing on Maarten Hajer's Argumentative Discourse Analysis and C. Wright Mills' concept of sociological imagination, the study addresses two central questions: (1) how is climate change framed and communicated to rural communities, and (2) how do communities interpret and respond to this knowledge? Data were collected through observations of Proklim activities and interviews with the village residents. The findings show that climate change discourse is largely shaped by top-down narratives aligned with global frameworks, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), yet these often fail to resonate with the everyday realities of rural populations. While a small portion of the community participates in adaptation practices, most prioritize urgent needs such as fertilizer subsidies and food security. This reflects a fundamental disconnection between global climate narratives and local priorities. Despite these challenges, Proklim functions as a discursive space that brings together government actors, private sector, and local communities, although significant power asymmetries remain. The study underscores the importance of realigning global climate commitments with local experiences, institutionalizing climate discourse within community social structures, and framing climate change not only as an environmental issue but also as a matter of public health and social resilience.
{"title":"Global climate commitments and local disconnect: Imagining climate change through Indonesia's community climate program","authors":"Raudlatul Jannah , Lala M. Kolopaking , Soeryo Adiwibowo , Syamsul Maarif","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.06.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.06.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Amid growing global attention to climate change, this study explores the sociopolitical dynamics of institutionalizing climate knowledge in rural Indonesia by examining the implementation of the Climate Village Program (<em>Proklim</em>) in four villages in Probolinggo Regency. Drawing on Maarten Hajer's <em>Argumentative Discourse Analysis</em> and C. Wright Mills' concept of <em>sociological imagination</em>, the study addresses two central questions: (1) how is climate change framed and communicated to rural communities, and (2) how do communities interpret and respond to this knowledge? Data were collected through observations of <em>Proklim</em> activities and interviews with the village residents. The findings show that climate change discourse is largely shaped by top-down narratives aligned with global frameworks, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), yet these often fail to resonate with the everyday realities of rural populations. While a small portion of the community participates in adaptation practices, most prioritize urgent needs such as fertilizer subsidies and food security. This reflects a fundamental disconnection between global climate narratives and local priorities. Despite these challenges, <em>Proklim</em> functions as a discursive space that brings together government actors, private sector, and local communities, although significant power asymmetries remain. The study underscores the importance of realigning global climate commitments with local experiences, institutionalizing climate discourse within community social structures, and framing climate change not only as an environmental issue but also as a matter of public health and social resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 387-402"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2025.07.001
Ines Testoni , Martina Gentile , Ciro De Vincenzo
Death education, a burgeoning field within psychosocial and educational sciences, addresses how individuals perceive and cope with themes of finitude, terminality, fragility and mortality. It employs a variety of methods including psychodrama, artistic activities, experiential sessions, and theoretical instruction to reduce death anxiety, enhance emotional resilience, and foster a deeper understanding of end-of-life issues. This research adopts a qualitative methodological research design to understand the experience of psychologists in training participating in a death education intervention. For these purposes, we realized n = 3 focus groups involving n = 21 participants from a group of students participating in an end-of-life course in a master's programme in psychology at the University of Padova. Transcriptions of the audio-recorded focus groups were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis, highlighting the dynamic interplay of personal and professional growth processes. Three major themes emerged: “Awareness and Realization of humane finitude”, reflecting students' heightened consciousness of mortality and its implications for life and practice; “Social Validation of Personal Experiences”, underscoring the role of collective discussion in normalizing and enriching individual perspectives; and “Imagining Professional Futures in Palliative Psychology”, which illustrates the participants' emerging sense of identity as future professionals. These findings emphasize the value of integrating death education into psychology curricula, not only to equip students with the competencies required to address end-of-life issues but also to provide safe, reflective spaces for engaging with liminal topics. Such initiatives contribute to shaping more empathetic, self-aware, and resilient psychologists capable of addressing the multifaceted psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of human experience.
死亡教育是社会心理和教育科学中的一个新兴领域,研究个人如何感知和应对有限性、终末性、脆弱性和死亡率等主题。它采用多种方法,包括心理剧、艺术活动、体验课程和理论指导,以减少死亡焦虑,增强情绪弹性,并培养对临终问题的更深层次理解。本研究采用质性方法研究设计,以了解参与死亡教育干预训练的心理学家的经验。为此,我们从帕多瓦大学(University of Padova)心理学硕士项目的一组学生中选取了n = 3个焦点小组,涉及n = 21名参与者。通过反身性专题分析,对焦点小组的录音进行了分析,突出了个人和专业成长过程的动态相互作用。出现了三个主要主题:“人类有限性的意识和实现”,反映了学生对死亡的高度意识及其对生活和实践的影响;“个人经历的社会验证”,强调集体讨论在规范和丰富个人观点方面的作用;“想象姑息心理学中的职业未来”,展示了参与者作为未来专业人士的认同感。这些发现强调了将死亡教育纳入心理学课程的价值,不仅使学生具备解决生命终结问题所需的能力,而且为参与阈值主题提供安全,反思的空间。这些举措有助于塑造更具同情心、自我意识和弹性的心理学家,能够解决人类经验的多方面心理社会和精神层面。
{"title":"Death education among psychology university students: A psychosocial qualitative perspective","authors":"Ines Testoni , Martina Gentile , Ciro De Vincenzo","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Death education, a burgeoning field within psychosocial and educational sciences, addresses how individuals perceive and cope with themes of finitude, terminality, fragility and mortality. It employs a variety of methods including psychodrama, artistic activities, experiential sessions, and theoretical instruction to reduce death anxiety, enhance emotional resilience, and foster a deeper understanding of end-of-life issues. This research adopts a qualitative methodological research design to understand the experience of psychologists in training participating in a death education intervention. For these purposes, we realized n = 3 focus groups involving n = 21 participants from a group of students participating in an end-of-life course in a master's programme in psychology at the University of Padova. Transcriptions of the audio-recorded focus groups were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis, highlighting the dynamic interplay of personal and professional growth processes. Three major themes emerged: “Awareness and Realization of humane finitude”, reflecting students' heightened consciousness of mortality and its implications for life and practice; “Social Validation of Personal Experiences”, underscoring the role of collective discussion in normalizing and enriching individual perspectives; and “Imagining Professional Futures in Palliative Psychology”, which illustrates the participants' emerging sense of identity as future professionals. These findings emphasize the value of integrating death education into psychology curricula, not only to equip students with the competencies required to address end-of-life issues but also to provide safe, reflective spaces for engaging with liminal topics. Such initiatives contribute to shaping more empathetic, self-aware, and resilient psychologists capable of addressing the multifaceted psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of human experience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 403-410"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aimed to identify effective COVID-19 preventive measures and significant determinants of self-preventive behaviors (SPBs) among Thais residing in environmental risk area. The populations comprised 1130 residents from five province located in the highest level of environmental risk exposure area in Thailand. A structured questionnaire was employed to indicate the COVID-19 preventive behaviors. The difference of preventive behaviors between COVID-19 positive and negative residents was analyzed using the t-test and then significant determinants of SPBs were examined using path analysis. The results showed that of 9 SPBs, 5 types including wearing facial masks, keeping social distancing, practicing hand washing, avoiding contacting people with COVID symptoms and using alcohol or hand sanitizer spray among noninfected participants were higher than among COVID-19 positive participants. For the result of path analysis, trust and attitude toward adherence to preventive behaviors was indicated as the greatest direct effect on SPBs. In addition, trust in the government's recommendations for self-prevention and knowledge about self-prevention had the most and second most total effects on SPBs, respectively. This finding suggested that effective COVID-19 measures of SPBs among residents were recommended by the Thai government with daily broadcasts on public television and social media. The combined concepts of infectious control and environmental management could be implemented to effectively control cases in highly polluted cities to improve resilience related to COVID-19 prevention.
{"title":"Effective COVID-19 preventive measures for Thai residents in environmental risk areas and significant determinants of self-preventive behaviors","authors":"Weerawat Ounsaneha , Orapin Laosee , Piyapong Janmaimool , Thunwadee Tachapattaworakul Suksaroj , Cheerawit Rattanapan","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to identify effective COVID-19 preventive measures and significant determinants of self-preventive behaviors (SPBs) among Thais residing in environmental risk area. The populations comprised 1130 residents from five province located in the highest level of environmental risk exposure area in Thailand. A structured questionnaire was employed to indicate the COVID-19 preventive behaviors. The difference of preventive behaviors between COVID-19 positive and negative residents was analyzed using the <em>t</em>-test and then significant determinants of SPBs were examined using path analysis. The results showed that of 9 SPBs, 5 types including wearing facial masks, keeping social distancing, practicing hand washing, avoiding contacting people with COVID symptoms and using alcohol or hand sanitizer spray among noninfected participants were higher than among COVID-19 positive participants. For the result of path analysis, trust and attitude toward adherence to preventive behaviors was indicated as the greatest direct effect on SPBs. In addition, trust in the government's recommendations for self-prevention and knowledge about self-prevention had the most and second most total effects on SPBs, respectively. This finding suggested that effective COVID-19 measures of SPBs among residents were recommended by the Thai government with daily broadcasts on public television and social media. The combined concepts of infectious control and environmental management could be implemented to effectively control cases in highly polluted cities to improve resilience related to COVID-19 prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 118-127"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143563716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2025.03.002
G.S. Gopikrishnan , T.S. Ardra , J. Kuttippurath
Surface ozone is a secondary air pollutant and when its exposure exceeds the threshold of 70 μg/m3 for 8 h, it can make adverse health effects. This study assesses surface ozone pollution in India using satellite and ground-based measurements. The exposure to surface ozone varies between seasons, from a pre-monsoon (March, April, and May) maximum (30–50 μg/m3) to a monsoon (June, July, August, and September) minimum (<25 μg/m3). However, there are many regions with ozone exceeding an exposure threshold of 70 μg/m3. This results in about 29000 mortalities in 45 out of 220 Indian cities based on the ground-based measurements considered. Estimates of mortality related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) show a total of about 51154 deaths for the year 2022 as deduced from the satellite measurements. Also, the economic burden of premature mortality from ozone exposure is 16.83 billion USD, which is about 1.5 times the health budget of India in 2022. Therefore, it is imperative to address surface ozone pollution to ensure economic stability, protect public health and mitigate climate change.
{"title":"Exposure to surface ozone and its associated health effects and economic burden in India","authors":"G.S. Gopikrishnan , T.S. Ardra , J. Kuttippurath","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface ozone is a secondary air pollutant and when its exposure exceeds the threshold of 70 μg/m<sup>3</sup> for 8 h, it can make adverse health effects. This study assesses surface ozone pollution in India using satellite and ground-based measurements. The exposure to surface ozone varies between seasons, from a pre-monsoon (March, April, and May) maximum (30–50 μg/m<sup>3</sup>) to a monsoon (June, July, August, and September) minimum (<25 μg/m<sup>3</sup>). However, there are many regions with ozone exceeding an exposure threshold of 70 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. This results in about 29000 mortalities in 45 out of 220 Indian cities based on the ground-based measurements considered. Estimates of mortality related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) show a total of about 51154 deaths for the year 2022 as deduced from the satellite measurements. Also, the economic burden of premature mortality from ozone exposure is 16.83 billion USD, which is about 1.5 times the health budget of India in 2022. Therefore, it is imperative to address surface ozone pollution to ensure economic stability, protect public health and mitigate climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 148-158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143706128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2025.01.002
Nihal Ahmed , Nisar Ahmed Khan , Józef Ober
Carbon peak targets play a crucial role in the global effort to mitigate climate change, with profound implications for green and sustainable economic growth. This research explores the dynamics between carbon peak target policies and urban low-carbon development using a novel delegation-agency framework between central and local governments. Analyzing data from U.S. climate action plans spanning 2010–2020, we employ an advanced difference-in-differences approach to elucidate the causal impact of carbon peak targets on low-carbon transitions. Our findings demonstrate a significant positive correlation between the adoption of these targets and accelerated low-carbon development, with effects modulated by local economic structures, resource availability, and governance transitions. The robustness of these results is rigorously validated through a comprehensive series of tests, including placebo experiments, policy interference controls, and heterogeneity bias assessments. Further investigation reveals that carbon peak targets primarily function through two key mechanisms: stimulating eco-innovation and catalyzing green infrastructure investments. Notably, our analysis uncovers an inverse relationship between target timeline stringency and low-carbon transition effectiveness. This study advances the field by offering a unified theoretical framework for analyzing local government constraints and carbon peak targets, conducting granular city-level analyses, and exploring the nuanced impacts of policy design features. Our findings suggest several policy prescriptions, including recalibrating municipal performance metrics, advocating for flexible target frameworks, and fostering synergies between environmental policies and innovation ecosystems. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers aiming to optimize climate strategies and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
{"title":"The role of carbon peaking targets in urban green economic transition: Insights from U.S. city-level climate action plans","authors":"Nihal Ahmed , Nisar Ahmed Khan , Józef Ober","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon peak targets play a crucial role in the global effort to mitigate climate change, with profound implications for green and sustainable economic growth. This research explores the dynamics between carbon peak target policies and urban low-carbon development using a novel delegation-agency framework between central and local governments. Analyzing data from U.S. climate action plans spanning 2010–2020, we employ an advanced difference-in-differences approach to elucidate the causal impact of carbon peak targets on low-carbon transitions. Our findings demonstrate a significant positive correlation between the adoption of these targets and accelerated low-carbon development, with effects modulated by local economic structures, resource availability, and governance transitions. The robustness of these results is rigorously validated through a comprehensive series of tests, including placebo experiments, policy interference controls, and heterogeneity bias assessments. Further investigation reveals that carbon peak targets primarily function through two key mechanisms: stimulating eco-innovation and catalyzing green infrastructure investments. Notably, our analysis uncovers an inverse relationship between target timeline stringency and low-carbon transition effectiveness. This study advances the field by offering a unified theoretical framework for analyzing local government constraints and carbon peak targets, conducting granular city-level analyses, and exploring the nuanced impacts of policy design features. Our findings suggest several policy prescriptions, including recalibrating municipal performance metrics, advocating for flexible target frameworks, and fostering synergies between environmental policies and innovation ecosystems. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers aiming to optimize climate strategies and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 69-80"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143130068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Life expectancy is often considered the most effective measure for evaluating a nation's health status. In light of this, the study investigates the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on life expectancy in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, controlling for economic growth (GDPpc), energy consumption, and urbanization between 1990 and 2020. To ensure the validity and reliability of the findings, the study employs a robust methodology, including Unit Root, cross-sectional dependence tests, and the novel method of moments quantile regression. The findings were further validated through additional models such as Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square, Panel-Corrected Standard Error, and Feasible Generalized Least Square, which ensure the robustness of the results. The estimation results consistently reveal an inverse relationship between CO2 emissions and life expectancy, underscoring the negative health impacts of environmental degradation. In contrast, GDP per capita, urbanization, and energy consumption contribute positively to life expectancy. The study also identifies energy consumption as a mediator that exacerbates the negative effects of CO2 emissions on health outcomes in the GCC. Overall, the study's conclusions are sound and based on comprehensive statistical tests, indicating high validity and reliability. However, the study's completeness is somewhat limited as it excludes potential health determinants such as healthcare quality and lifestyle factors, which could introduce omitted variable bias. Nonetheless, the results offer compelling insights for GCC policymakers, recommending immediate actions to reduce CO2 emissions and prioritize clean energy to improve health outcomes in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3.
{"title":"Impact of CO2 emissions, income, and urbanization on health status in GCC countries: A moderating role of energy consumption","authors":"Hatem Hatef Abdulkadhim Altaee , Fakher Rahim , Kenesh Dzhusupov , Karlygash Toguzbaeva","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.04.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Life expectancy is often considered the most effective measure for evaluating a nation's health status. In light of this, the study investigates the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on life expectancy in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, controlling for economic growth (GDPpc), energy consumption, and urbanization between 1990 and 2020. To ensure the validity and reliability of the findings, the study employs a robust methodology, including Unit Root, cross-sectional dependence tests, and the novel method of moments quantile regression. The findings were further validated through additional models such as Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square, Panel-Corrected Standard Error, and Feasible Generalized Least Square, which ensure the robustness of the results. The estimation results consistently reveal an inverse relationship between CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and life expectancy, underscoring the negative health impacts of environmental degradation. In contrast, GDP per capita, urbanization, and energy consumption contribute positively to life expectancy. The study also identifies energy consumption as a mediator that exacerbates the negative effects of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions on health outcomes in the GCC. Overall, the study's conclusions are sound and based on comprehensive statistical tests, indicating high validity and reliability. However, the study's completeness is somewhat limited as it excludes potential health determinants such as healthcare quality and lifestyle factors, which could introduce omitted variable bias. Nonetheless, the results offer compelling insights for GCC policymakers, recommending immediate actions to reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and prioritize clean energy to improve health outcomes in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 211-222"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143854483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2025.06.004
Nada Eltaiba , Samira Hosseini , Kingsley Okoye
Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) uses digital tools and technologies to improve learning experiences by addressing educational challenges such as accessibility, equity, and quality. There is evidence that it comes with issues like digital divide, limited infrastructure, socio-technical and cultural challenges, particularly in low-and-middle income or low-tech regions like Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study explores the benefits and impact of TEL, and extent to its application in higher education in the MENA region. A systematic review using PRISMA methodology identified and analyzed 85 peer-reviewed studies from 2015 to 2024. Scholarly search for articles was done using Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. Data analysis used trend analysis, geographical distribution, and thematic synthesis of TEL benefits, challenges, and implementation in MENA through methods such as Concept mapping and Text mining in VOSviewer, Tableau, and R statistics software. The results emphasize the transformative potential of TEL in MENA, but identifies critical research gaps, such as limited longitudinal studies, underexplored MENA contexts, limited training for educators, which hinders equitable adoption, and need for comprehensive strategies to address systemic barriers. TEL adoption varied across the MENA region, with resource-rich and high-tech countries leading the TEL integration process driven by national policies and strategic investment, while underrepresented nations face significant barriers, which require targeted interventions. The paper empirically sheds light on the theoretical and practical implications of the study toward effective application and adoption of TEL-based learning in MENA, expanding geographic or sectoral coverage, prioritizing of stakeholder perspectives, and exploring advanced TEL technologies to ensure inclusive and sustainable educational practices.
技术增强型学习(TEL)利用数字工具和技术,通过解决可及性、公平性和质量等教育挑战,改善学习体验。有证据表明,它带来了诸如数字鸿沟、基础设施有限、社会技术和文化挑战等问题,特别是在中东和北非(MENA)等中低收入或低技术地区。本研究探讨了电话教学的好处和影响,以及它在中东和北非地区高等教育中的应用程度。一项使用PRISMA方法的系统综述确定并分析了2015年至2024年的85项同行评议研究。论文的学术搜索使用Scopus和Web of Science (WoS)数据库完成。数据分析通过VOSviewer、Tableau和R统计软件中的概念映射和文本挖掘等方法,使用趋势分析、地理分布和专题综合,分析了中东和北非地区TEL的利益、挑战和实施情况。研究结果强调了TEL在中东和北非地区的变革潜力,但也指出了关键的研究差距,如纵向研究有限、对中东和北非地区背景的探索不足、对教育工作者的培训有限(这阻碍了公平采用),以及需要制定全面的战略来解决系统性障碍。在中东和北非地区,电信的采用情况各不相同,资源丰富和高科技的国家在国家政策和战略投资的推动下引领着电信一体化进程,而代表性不足的国家则面临重大障碍,需要有针对性的干预措施。本文从实证角度阐述了该研究的理论和实践意义,包括在中东和北非地区有效应用和采用基于TEL的学习,扩大地理或部门覆盖范围,优先考虑利益相关者的观点,探索先进的TEL技术,以确保包容性和可持续的教育实践。
{"title":"Benefits and impact of technology-enhanced learning applications in higher education in Middle East and North Africa: A systematic review","authors":"Nada Eltaiba , Samira Hosseini , Kingsley Okoye","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) uses digital tools and technologies to improve learning experiences by addressing educational challenges such as accessibility, equity, and quality. There is evidence that it comes with issues like digital divide, limited infrastructure, socio-technical and cultural challenges, particularly in low-and-middle income or low-tech regions like Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study explores the benefits and impact of TEL, and extent to its application in higher education in the MENA region. A systematic review using PRISMA methodology identified and analyzed 85 peer-reviewed studies from 2015 to 2024. Scholarly search for articles was done using Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. Data analysis used trend analysis, geographical distribution, and thematic synthesis of TEL benefits, challenges, and implementation in MENA through methods such as Concept mapping and Text mining in VOSviewer, Tableau, and R statistics software. The results emphasize the transformative potential of TEL in MENA, but identifies critical research gaps, such as limited longitudinal studies, underexplored MENA contexts, limited training for educators, which hinders equitable adoption, and need for comprehensive strategies to address systemic barriers. TEL adoption varied across the MENA region, with resource-rich and high-tech countries leading the TEL integration process driven by national policies and strategic investment, while underrepresented nations face significant barriers, which require targeted interventions. The paper empirically sheds light on the theoretical and practical implications of the study toward effective application and adoption of TEL-based learning in MENA, expanding geographic or sectoral coverage, prioritizing of stakeholder perspectives, and exploring advanced TEL technologies to ensure inclusive and sustainable educational practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 350-374"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144330693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2025.04.001
Alexis Rojas Ospina , Alexander Zúñiga Collazos
This study develops and validates a structural model to assess the relationship between agricultural activity (AA) and Environmental Sustainability Performance (ESP). The model was empirically tested in plantain crops in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine causal relationships among key sustainability factors. Data were collected through a structured 28-item instrument applied to 600 administrators, managers, and owners of Agricultural Production Units (APUs). The analysis, conducted using partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.0, reveals that Business Associativity (BA), Agricultural Management (AM), Citizen Participation (CP), and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a direct and positive effect on ESP. Moreover, significant indirect effects are observed between ICTs and AM, ICTs and CP, and AM and BA, highlighting their interconnected influence on ESP. These findings emphasize the strategic role of associativity, management practices, digital transformation, and civic engagement in enhancing sustainability outcomes. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, advocating for targeted interventions and data-driven policies to foster sustainable agricultural practices.
{"title":"Model for assessing environmental sustainability performance in the agricultural sector: A case study on plantain cultivation","authors":"Alexis Rojas Ospina , Alexander Zúñiga Collazos","doi":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.glt.2025.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study develops and validates a structural model to assess the relationship between agricultural activity (AA) and Environmental Sustainability Performance (ESP). The model was empirically tested in plantain crops in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine causal relationships among key sustainability factors. Data were collected through a structured 28-item instrument applied to 600 administrators, managers, and owners of Agricultural Production Units (APUs). The analysis, conducted using partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.0, reveals that Business Associativity (BA), Agricultural Management (AM), Citizen Participation (CP), and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a direct and positive effect on ESP. Moreover, significant indirect effects are observed between ICTs and AM, ICTs and CP, and AM and BA, highlighting their interconnected influence on ESP. These findings emphasize the strategic role of associativity, management practices, digital transformation, and civic engagement in enhancing sustainability outcomes. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, advocating for targeted interventions and data-driven policies to foster sustainable agricultural practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33615,"journal":{"name":"Global Transitions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 175-188"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143833703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}