This paper presents a policy framework for student-led exchanges within UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves (BRs) and Global Geoparks (UGGps), aiming to enhance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Drawing on experiential learning theory, place-based education, and transformative learning, the framework was co-developed during an international symposium held at Kanazawa University in March 2025. It addresses institutional barriers such as administrative complexity and financial constraints, proposing a flexible, low-burden model that supports intercultural dialogue, field-based learning, and community engagement. The framework includes six components: student-led coordination, flexible exchange formats, recognition and learning assessment, sustainable funding, hybrid learning integration, and regional sustainability. Pilot programs across six countries will test the model's feasibility and impact. Student testimonials and institutional feedback highlight the transformative potential of immersive exchanges and the need for inclusive, digitally supported systems. This work contributes to sustainable education policy by offering actionable strategies for integrating youth mobility into UNESCO's MAB and Geopark networks while treating the recommendations as hypotheses under pilot testing rather than proven solutions.
{"title":"Empowering student-led exchanges in biosphere reserves and geoparks: A policy framework for sustainable education in multiple UNESCO designated areas","authors":"Aida Mammadova , Denise Margaret Matias , Bernadette Ekua Bedua Afful , Racheal Fosu Donkoh , Seira Harada , Saku Monden","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2025.100332","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2025.100332","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a policy framework for student-led exchanges within UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves (BRs) and Global Geoparks (UGGps), aiming to enhance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Drawing on experiential learning theory, place-based education, and transformative learning, the framework was co-developed during an international symposium held at Kanazawa University in March 2025. It addresses institutional barriers such as administrative complexity and financial constraints, proposing a flexible, low-burden model that supports intercultural dialogue, field-based learning, and community engagement. The framework includes six components: student-led coordination, flexible exchange formats, recognition and learning assessment, sustainable funding, hybrid learning integration, and regional sustainability. Pilot programs across six countries will test the model's feasibility and impact. Student testimonials and institutional feedback highlight the transformative potential of immersive exchanges and the need for inclusive, digitally supported systems. This work contributes to sustainable education policy by offering actionable strategies for integrating youth mobility into UNESCO's MAB and Geopark networks while treating the recommendations as hypotheses under pilot testing rather than proven solutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100332"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145897883","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100338
Yanlu Huang , Jiacheng Liu
China has become the world's largest source of green investment, yet its environmental returns remain contested. Using provincial panel data for 30 Chinese provinces from 2004 to 2023, this study examines the pollutant-specific, regional, and spatial effects of green investment within a simultaneous-equations framework to address endogeneity. We find that green investment significantly reduces CO₂ and PM2.5 emissions, with the carbon abatement effect strengthening after 2019. The environmental returns to green investment are highly heterogeneous. Carbon mitigation is concentrated in western provinces, while particulate reductions are strongest in eastern and western regions but absent in central provinces. Mechanism analysis shows that green investment operates partly through human capital accumulation, regulatory reinforcement, fiscal capacity, and increased government and social environmental attention. We further document significant cross-regional spillovers, indicating that green investment generates pollution-reduction benefits beyond provincial boundaries. Overall, green investment delivers a robust carbon dividend but its effectiveness depends on pollutant type, regional structure, and institutional complements. These findings call for geographically targeted and pollutant-specific policy design rather than uniform national subsidies.
{"title":"Decoding the impact of green investment on environmental pollution in China: A cross-regional examination","authors":"Yanlu Huang , Jiacheng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100338","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100338","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>China has become the world's largest source of green investment, yet its environmental returns remain contested. Using provincial panel data for 30 Chinese provinces from 2004 to 2023, this study examines the pollutant-specific, regional, and spatial effects of green investment within a simultaneous-equations framework to address endogeneity. We find that green investment significantly reduces CO₂ and PM2.5 emissions, with the carbon abatement effect strengthening after 2019. The environmental returns to green investment are highly heterogeneous. Carbon mitigation is concentrated in western provinces, while particulate reductions are strongest in eastern and western regions but absent in central provinces. Mechanism analysis shows that green investment operates partly through human capital accumulation, regulatory reinforcement, fiscal capacity, and increased government and social environmental attention. We further document significant cross-regional spillovers, indicating that green investment generates pollution-reduction benefits beyond provincial boundaries. Overall, green investment delivers a robust carbon dividend but its effectiveness depends on pollutant type, regional structure, and institutional complements. These findings call for geographically targeted and pollutant-specific policy design rather than uniform national subsidies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100338"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421140","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100335
Aiste Dirzyte , Aelita Skaržauskienė , Aleksandras Patapas
Background
Climate adaptation requires action at institutional and individual levels. Citizens' engagement differs widely across sociocultural and geographic contexts and remains under-researched.
Aim
The purpose of the study was to examine correlates of Lithuanian adults' adaptation actions, using a nationally representative survey adapted from Brink and Wamsler's instrument (2019) in Sweden.
Methods
Data were collected via face-to-face interviews in Lithuania (October–November 2023; N = 1013). Measures included climate-related hazard experience (recent 5 years and lifetime), climate change concern (single item), cultural worldviews, adaptation motivation, and self-reported adaptation actions. We tested measurement structure with CFA, used Independent-samples t-tests for group differences (gender; hazard experience), and estimated multivariate associations using multiple regression and an exploratory SEM summarizing hazard experience–concern–action associations.
Results
Independent samples' t-test showed that individuals with prior climate-related hazard experiences (n = 259, 26%) in comparison to individuals who have never experienced a climate-related hazard (n = 754, 74%), scored overall higher on climate change concern, motivation to adapt, and adaptation actions (p < .001). Women reported slightly higher climate concern than men (d = 0.17), while men reported slightly more technical actions (d = 0.22). Using exploratory structural equation modeling (SEM), it was found that recent hazard experience showed the strongest association with adaptation actions in multivariate models (standardized β ≈ 0.30, p < .001), while concern showed a small association with actions when considered alongside experience and motivation (standardized β ≈ 0.08–0.12).
Conclusions
In Lithuania, recent lived experience with climate-related hazards and stronger motivation are robust correlates of adaptation actions, whereas climate concern alone is a comparatively weak correlate once other factors are considered. The findings are correlational and should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of causal direction.
{"title":"From experience to action: Correlates of Lithuanian citizens' engagement in climate adaptation","authors":"Aiste Dirzyte , Aelita Skaržauskienė , Aleksandras Patapas","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100335","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100335","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Climate adaptation requires action at institutional and individual levels. Citizens' engagement differs widely across sociocultural and geographic contexts and remains under-researched.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The purpose of the study was to examine correlates of Lithuanian adults' adaptation actions, using a nationally representative survey adapted from Brink and Wamsler's instrument (2019) in Sweden.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were collected via face-to-face interviews in Lithuania (October–November 2023; <em>N</em> = 1013). Measures included climate-related hazard experience (recent 5 years and lifetime), climate change concern (single item), cultural worldviews, adaptation motivation, and self-reported adaptation actions. We tested measurement structure with CFA, used Independent-samples <em>t</em>-tests for group differences (gender; hazard experience), and estimated multivariate associations using multiple regression and an exploratory SEM summarizing hazard experience–concern–action associations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Independent samples' <em>t-</em>test showed that individuals with prior climate-related hazard experiences (<em>n</em> = 259, 26%) in comparison to individuals who have never experienced a climate-related hazard (<em>n</em> = 754, 74%), scored overall higher on climate change concern, motivation to adapt, and adaptation actions (<em>p</em> < .001). Women reported slightly higher climate concern than men (d = 0.17), while men reported slightly more technical actions (d = 0.22). Using exploratory structural equation modeling (SEM), it was found that recent hazard experience showed the strongest association with adaptation actions in multivariate models (standardized β ≈ 0.30, <em>p</em> < .001), while concern showed a small association with actions when considered alongside experience and motivation (standardized β ≈ 0.08–0.12).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In Lithuania, recent lived experience with climate-related hazards and stronger motivation are robust correlates of adaptation actions, whereas climate concern alone is a comparatively weak correlate once other factors are considered. The findings are correlational and should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of causal direction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100335"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078652","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-03-10DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100342
Germán Bersalli , David Gottheit , Johan Lilliestam
Many countries are seeking to accelerate their transitions to a zero‑carbon energy system in line with their commitments under the Paris Agreement. In energy policy analysis, transition progress and policy success are often measured by trends in emissions and renewable energy deployment. While these outcome metrics are important, they provide limited insight into the broader systemic changes, as they overlook the underlying drivers and processes. Moreover, existing evaluation frameworks often lack theoretical grounding, leading to an incoherent set of indicators. Here, we assess transition progress from a system-change perspective by developing a theory-driven evaluation framework and applying it to the electricity sectors of four European transition “leaders”: the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Norway. Unlike existing frameworks, our approach is rooted in sustainability transitions literature, improving interpretability while maintaining a focused set of systemic change indicators. Our analysis reveals significant progress in scaling up renewables and phasing out carbon-intensive technologies. However, persistent challenges—particularly in electricity grid infrastructure and regulatory adaptation—continue to hinder full decarbonization, especially in the UK and Germany, which are not on track towards zero‑carbon power. The Norwegian and especially Danish electricity transitions are progressing well, not only in terms of emissions and technology deployment, but the underlying systemic measures make their transition policies credible. Our findings highlight the importance of including systemic metrics, going beyond emissions and renewables deployment metrics, and illustrate the feasibility of a “policy turn” in transition studies through forward-looking analytical tools.
{"title":"A simple yet holistic approach for assessing systemic change in sectoral zero-carbon transitions: The case of electricity in Europe","authors":"Germán Bersalli , David Gottheit , Johan Lilliestam","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100342","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100342","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many countries are seeking to accelerate their transitions to a zero‑carbon energy system in line with their commitments under the Paris Agreement. In energy policy analysis, transition progress and policy success are often measured by trends in emissions and renewable energy deployment. While these outcome metrics are important, they provide limited insight into the broader systemic changes, as they overlook the underlying drivers and processes. Moreover, existing evaluation frameworks often lack theoretical grounding, leading to an incoherent set of indicators. Here, we assess transition progress from a system-change perspective by developing a theory-driven evaluation framework and applying it to the electricity sectors of four European transition “leaders”: the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Norway. Unlike existing frameworks, our approach is rooted in sustainability transitions literature, improving interpretability while maintaining a focused set of systemic change indicators. Our analysis reveals significant progress in scaling up renewables and phasing out carbon-intensive technologies. However, persistent challenges—particularly in electricity grid infrastructure and regulatory adaptation—continue to hinder full decarbonization, especially in the UK and Germany, which are not on track towards zero‑carbon power. The Norwegian and especially Danish electricity transitions are progressing well, not only in terms of emissions and technology deployment, but the underlying systemic measures make their transition policies credible. Our findings highlight the importance of including systemic metrics, going beyond emissions and renewables deployment metrics, and illustrate the feasibility of a “policy turn” in transition studies through forward-looking analytical tools.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100342"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421245","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100337
Samuel Adeyanju , Mirjam A.F. Ros-Tonen , Janette Bulkan , Bernard N. Baatuuwie , Terry Sunderland
Over the past 25 years, Ghana's Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) program has expanded to cover 2 million hectares across 600 communities, aiming to achieve its dual objectives of biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction. As Ghana's flagship Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) initiative, it has attracted significant investment from international organizations for livelihood interventions to reduce poverty and incentivize conservation. Yet little is known about how these interventions are implemented or who benefits. Using qualitative methods, this study examines stakeholders' perceptions of the types, socioeconomic impacts, and equity dynamics of livelihood interventions in three CREMAs in northern Ghana. Our findings reveal that interventions that enhance existing livelihoods, such as modern beekeeping, remain the most frequently implemented. Although the socioeconomic impacts of these interventions vary across and within CREMAs, they provide individuals with modest, seasonal income and support community development projects. The gender dimensions of the interventions show that gender-targeted, pro-poor distribution norms have increased women's inclusion and access to cash income but also raise concerns about exclusion and intersectional inequities. By situating our findings within debates on distributional and contextual equity, we offer insights into how pro-poor norms interact with gender and other contextual factors to shape economic and equity outcomes in incentive-based conservation. This article is relevant beyond the case study, as it can inform the design of equitable, context-sensitive, and sustainable livelihood interventions in current and future incentive-based conservation efforts across the tropics and beyond.
{"title":"Evaluating socioeconomic and equity outcomes in livelihood interventions: Insights from Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) in northern Ghana","authors":"Samuel Adeyanju , Mirjam A.F. Ros-Tonen , Janette Bulkan , Bernard N. Baatuuwie , Terry Sunderland","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100337","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100337","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Over the past 25 years, Ghana's Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) program has expanded to cover 2 million hectares across 600 communities, aiming to achieve its dual objectives of biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction. As Ghana's flagship Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) initiative, it has attracted significant investment from international organizations for livelihood interventions to reduce poverty and incentivize conservation. Yet little is known about how these interventions are implemented or who benefits. Using qualitative methods, this study examines stakeholders' perceptions of the types, socioeconomic impacts, and equity dynamics of livelihood interventions in three CREMAs in northern Ghana. Our findings reveal that interventions that enhance existing livelihoods, such as modern beekeeping, remain the most frequently implemented. Although the socioeconomic impacts of these interventions vary across and within CREMAs, they provide individuals with modest, seasonal income and support community development projects. The gender dimensions of the interventions show that gender-targeted, pro-poor distribution norms have increased women's inclusion and access to cash income but also raise concerns about exclusion and intersectional inequities. By situating our findings within debates on distributional and contextual equity, we offer insights into how pro-poor norms interact with gender and other contextual factors to shape economic and equity outcomes in incentive-based conservation. This article is relevant beyond the case study, as it can inform the design of equitable, context-sensitive, and sustainable livelihood interventions in current and future incentive-based conservation efforts across the tropics and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100337"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421139","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-03-13DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100341
Masudul Alam , Mokbul Morshed Ahmad , Takuji W. Tsusaka , Malay Pramanik
This study assesses the condition of livelihood assets in the southern coastal regions of Bangladesh using a comparative approach. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 400 households across Kalapara, Taltali, and Patharghata Upazilas, representing high and moderate salinity areas. Using the livelihood approach, the study assesses the condition of human, physical, natural, financial, and social capital assets based on 33 indicators, with values ranging from 0 to 1, where higher scores indicate stronger asset conditions. The composite values for the assets were highest in Kalapara (0.52), indicating relatively better access to resources, followed by Taltali (0.48) with moderate conditions, and Patharghata (0.41) as the weakest, reflecting practical differences in resilience and adaptive capacity. Significant differences reflect regional variations. The findings highlight the significant strain on livelihoods, particularly in Patharghata, where limited access to resources and persistent salinity intrusion have substantial impacts. The research also explores the state of livelihood diversification using the Simpson's Diversity Index, with values of 0.83, 0.89 and 0.82 in Kalapara, Taltali, and Patharghata, respectively. The shift from agricultural livelihood to alternative sources reflects households' effort to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity amidst environmental challenges. The study recommends government initiatives and interventions in the salinity-prone regions to strengthen adaptive capacity and resilience. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive policies that promote adaptation strategies and income diversification to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 15.
{"title":"Local livelihood assets and their diversification under different levels of salinity intrusion in coastal Bangladesh: A comparative assessment","authors":"Masudul Alam , Mokbul Morshed Ahmad , Takuji W. Tsusaka , Malay Pramanik","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100341","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100341","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assesses the condition of livelihood assets in the southern coastal regions of Bangladesh using a comparative approach. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 400 households across Kalapara, Taltali, and Patharghata Upazilas, representing high and moderate salinity areas. Using the livelihood approach, the study assesses the condition of human, physical, natural, financial, and social capital assets based on 33 indicators, with values ranging from 0 to 1, where higher scores indicate stronger asset conditions. The composite values for the assets were highest in Kalapara (0.52), indicating relatively better access to resources, followed by Taltali (0.48) with moderate conditions, and Patharghata (0.41) as the weakest, reflecting practical differences in resilience and adaptive capacity. Significant differences reflect regional variations. The findings highlight the significant strain on livelihoods, particularly in Patharghata, where limited access to resources and persistent salinity intrusion have substantial impacts. The research also explores the state of livelihood diversification using the Simpson's Diversity Index, with values of 0.83, 0.89 and 0.82 in Kalapara, Taltali, and Patharghata, respectively. The shift from agricultural livelihood to alternative sources reflects households' effort to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity amidst environmental challenges. The study recommends government initiatives and interventions in the salinity-prone regions to strengthen adaptive capacity and resilience. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive policies that promote adaptation strategies and income diversification to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 15.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100341"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147448652","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100336
Chukwudi Nwaogu , Modupeola A.O. Chukwudi , Bridget E. Diagi , Chinonye V. Ekweogu , Khosravi Vahid , Samuel K. Ahado , Onyedikachi J. Okeke , Gordon T. Amangabara , Lucy Izunobi , Imuwahen P. Aigbedion , John Okwudili Ugwu , Deborah O. Diagi , Mary U. Okoro , Martin C. Iwuji , Christopher C. Ejiogu , Budiman Minasny , Mauricio Roberto Cherubin , Patrick S.U. Eneche
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) systems have been promoted as a nature-based solution to ameliorate carbon losses from cropland by increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The scale to which CSA systems [i.e., integrated cropping (iC), integrated crop-livestock (iCL) and integrated crop-livestock-forest (iCLF)] can contribute to reversing SOC losses and promote C-storage is limited in knowledge. We used a meta-analysis to give a regional-level appraisal of SOC stock changes in relation to the adoption of CSA systems in Rondônia State, Brazil. The CSA systems (iC, iCL, and iCLF) accumulated SOC at mean rates of 0.37, 0.52, and 0.76 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively, which showed that iCLF had the highest SOC change rate, study span notwithstanding. On average, the rate of SOC (Mg C ha−1 yr−1) change for short-term studies (< 11 years), 11–20 years, and above 20 years were 0.47, 0.93, and 0.55, respectively. Climate, altitude, and soil depth also have significant effects on the rates of SOC stock change. Oxisols and Ultisols promoted C sequestration, while Alfisols and other soil groups did not. The results from our meta-analysis established that CSA under the prevailing soil and environmental conditions can encourage more adoption of CSA by farmers, promote SOC accumulation, and consequently mitigate greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, while guaranteeing food security. The study might support Brazil's Low-Carbon Agriculture Plan and help the country in achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions commitments on climate change mitigation through agriculture.
气候智慧型农业（CSA）系统已被推广为一种基于自然的解决方案，通过增加土壤有机碳（SOC）储量来改善农田碳损失。CSA系统[即综合种植（iC）、作物-牲畜综合（iCL）和作物-牲畜-森林综合（iCLF）]在多大程度上有助于扭转有机碳损失和促进碳储存方面的知识有限。我们使用荟萃分析对巴西Rondônia州采用CSA系统后SOC储量的变化进行了区域层面的评估。CSA系统（iC， iCL和iCLF）的SOC累积平均速率分别为0.37,0.52和0.76 Mg C ha - 1 yr - 1，表明iCLF的SOC变化率最高，尽管研究跨度不同。短期研究（11年）、11 - 20年和20年以上的土壤有机碳（Mg C ha - 1 yr - 1）的平均变化率分别为0.47、0.93和0.55。气候、海拔和土壤深度对土壤有机碳储量的变化速率也有显著影响。氧溶土和硫溶土促进了碳的固存，而硫溶土和其他土壤组则没有。meta分析结果表明，在当前土壤和环境条件下，CSA可以促进农民更多地采用CSA，促进有机碳积累，从而减少温室气体排放，同时保证粮食安全。这项研究可能会支持巴西的低碳农业计划，并帮助该国实现其关于通过农业减缓气候变化的国家自主贡献承诺。
{"title":"A meta-analysis of soil organic carbon dynamics under climate-smart agricultural systems in the Amazonian region","authors":"Chukwudi Nwaogu , Modupeola A.O. Chukwudi , Bridget E. Diagi , Chinonye V. Ekweogu , Khosravi Vahid , Samuel K. Ahado , Onyedikachi J. Okeke , Gordon T. Amangabara , Lucy Izunobi , Imuwahen P. Aigbedion , John Okwudili Ugwu , Deborah O. Diagi , Mary U. Okoro , Martin C. Iwuji , Christopher C. Ejiogu , Budiman Minasny , Mauricio Roberto Cherubin , Patrick S.U. Eneche","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100336","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) systems have been promoted as a nature-based solution to ameliorate carbon losses from cropland by increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The scale to which CSA systems [i.e., integrated cropping (iC), integrated crop-livestock (iCL) and integrated crop-livestock-forest (iCLF)] can contribute to reversing SOC losses and promote C-storage is limited in knowledge. We used a meta-analysis to give a regional-level appraisal of SOC stock changes in relation to the adoption of CSA systems in Rondônia State, Brazil. The CSA systems (iC, iCL, and iCLF) accumulated SOC at mean rates of 0.37, 0.52, and 0.76 Mg C ha<sup>−1</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup>, respectively, which showed that iCLF had the highest SOC change rate, study span notwithstanding. On average, the rate of SOC (Mg C ha<sup>−1</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup>) change for short-term studies (< 11 years), 11–20 years, and above 20 years were 0.47, 0.93, and 0.55, respectively. Climate, altitude, and soil depth also have significant effects on the rates of SOC stock change. Oxisols and Ultisols promoted C sequestration, while Alfisols and other soil groups did not. The results from our meta-analysis established that CSA under the prevailing soil and environmental conditions can encourage more adoption of CSA by farmers, promote SOC accumulation, and consequently mitigate greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, while guaranteeing food security. The study might support Brazil's Low-Carbon Agriculture Plan and help the country in achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions commitments on climate change mitigation through agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100336"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421246","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-03-04DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100340
Laura Santamaria
A persistent challenge in sustainability transitions is the uneven uptake of interventions such as renewable energy projects, conservation measures and rewilding initiatives. These often encounter resistance that cannot be explained by economics, technical feasibility or governance arrangements alone. Instead, they hinge on questions of legitimacy and cultural alignment. Existing frameworks, including socio-ecological systems (SES) and cultural ecosystem services (CES), recognise human dimensions yet miss the symbolic dynamics through which interventions are interpreted, accepted or contested. Symbolic codes are patterned systems of meaning expressed through aesthetics, aspirational values and common practices in a particular context, which influence whether interventions are embraced, negotiated or resisted. This paper advances the Symbolic Ecology Framework (SEF), a conceptual framework for integrating symbolic codes as cultural variables in socio-ecological analysis. This conceptual contribution: (1) establishes theoretical premises for treating symbolic codes as cultural variables in socio-ecological analysis; (2) specifies six attributes (salience, valence, resonance, legitimacy, diachronic status, place-binding) drawn from cultural analysis and environmental research for systematic code assessment; and (3) proposes their aggregation into a Symbolic Alignment Index (SAI) for legitimacy alignment diagnostic purposes. An illustrative case study application to renewable energy siting demonstrates the framework's analytical logic. Finally, the empirical research agenda required to operationalise SEF is outlined, including protocol standardisation, validation studies and cross-context calibration.
{"title":"Code ecologies: Integrating cultural legitimacy analysis in sustainability transitions","authors":"Laura Santamaria","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100340","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100340","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A persistent challenge in sustainability transitions is the uneven uptake of interventions such as renewable energy projects, conservation measures and rewilding initiatives. These often encounter resistance that cannot be explained by economics, technical feasibility or governance arrangements alone. Instead, they hinge on questions of legitimacy and cultural alignment. Existing frameworks, including socio-ecological systems (SES) and cultural ecosystem services (CES), recognise human dimensions yet miss the symbolic dynamics through which interventions are interpreted, accepted or contested. Symbolic codes are patterned systems of meaning expressed through aesthetics, aspirational values and common practices in a particular context, which influence whether interventions are embraced, negotiated or resisted. This paper advances the Symbolic Ecology Framework (SEF), a conceptual framework for integrating symbolic codes as cultural variables in socio-ecological analysis. This conceptual contribution: (1) establishes theoretical premises for treating symbolic codes as cultural variables in socio-ecological analysis; (2) specifies six attributes (salience, valence, resonance, legitimacy, diachronic status, place-binding) drawn from cultural analysis and environmental research for systematic code assessment; and (3) proposes their aggregation into a Symbolic Alignment Index (SAI) for legitimacy alignment diagnostic purposes. An illustrative case study application to renewable energy siting demonstrates the framework's analytical logic. Finally, the empirical research agenda required to operationalise SEF is outlined, including protocol standardisation, validation studies and cross-context calibration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100340"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421259","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100333
Haotian Chen , Hao Yang , Xiaoyu Shi , Xuan Wang , Shuxian Dou , Xinyi Wang , Yang Su , Xin Huang , Aixing Deng , Zhenwei Song , Weijian Zhang
The agricultural application of sewage sludge offers potential for enhancing soil fertility and promoting soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, but also poses environmental risks due to the presence of pollutants. Given the growing volume of research and the complexity of its environmental implications, a systematic understanding of how this field has evolved is urgently needed. To clarify the evolution, research priorities, and knowledge gaps in this domain, this study conducted a systematic bibliometric analysis of 3794 articles published from 1991 to 2024. Results revealed exponential growth in publications, with a marked shift in research focus after 2010. China, the United States, and Spain were identified as leading contributors. Keyword co-occurrence and citation analyses revealed three dominant thematic clusters: 1) sludge stabilization and soil property improvement, 2) contaminant risk and remediation strategies, and 3) SOC dynamics and sequestration mechanisms. Highly cited studies highlighted the potential of composted and pyrolyzed sludge in enhancing SOC while mitigating ecological risks. However, most evidence remains limited to laboratory conditions, with a paucity of long-term field trials under realistic agronomic scenarios. Future research should address methodological limitations and strengthen interdisciplinary integration for balancing SOC sequestration goals with environmental safety in sludge-based agricultural practices.
{"title":"Research landscape and emerging pathways of sewage sludge application for soil carbon sequestration","authors":"Haotian Chen , Hao Yang , Xiaoyu Shi , Xuan Wang , Shuxian Dou , Xinyi Wang , Yang Su , Xin Huang , Aixing Deng , Zhenwei Song , Weijian Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100333","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100333","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The agricultural application of sewage sludge offers potential for enhancing soil fertility and promoting soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, but also poses environmental risks due to the presence of pollutants. Given the growing volume of research and the complexity of its environmental implications, a systematic understanding of how this field has evolved is urgently needed. To clarify the evolution, research priorities, and knowledge gaps in this domain, this study conducted a systematic bibliometric analysis of 3794 articles published from 1991 to 2024. Results revealed exponential growth in publications, with a marked shift in research focus after 2010. China, the United States, and Spain were identified as leading contributors. Keyword co-occurrence and citation analyses revealed three dominant thematic clusters: 1) sludge stabilization and soil property improvement, 2) contaminant risk and remediation strategies, and 3) SOC dynamics and sequestration mechanisms. Highly cited studies highlighted the potential of composted and pyrolyzed sludge in enhancing SOC while mitigating ecological risks. However, most evidence remains limited to laboratory conditions, with a paucity of long-term field trials under realistic agronomic scenarios. Future research should address methodological limitations and strengthen interdisciplinary integration for balancing SOC sequestration goals with environmental safety in sludge-based agricultural practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100333"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928660","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}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号