Environment, Development and Sustainability最新文献

This paper aims at exploring whether and how environment, social responsibility, and corporate governance (ESG) affects firm operating efficiency (FOE). The potential moderating role of cash flow has also been studied in an effort to disentangle its relationships in this context. By using data on A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020 in China, we find that a good ESG performance has a significantly positive impact on FOE. After changing the measurement of FOE, using Huazheng ESG performance and a series of stability tests such as endogenous tests, the results are still robust. Meanwhile, we find that the primary driver of the positive impact of ESG on FOE lies in its capacity to enhance economies of scale. In addition, we also find that ESG has a more pronounced effect on FOE for non-manufacturing enterprises and privately-owned enterprises. These results suggest that ESG has become an effective way to improve FOE. Exploring the impact of ESG performance on corporate operational efficiency is of significant practical significance for getting rid of corporate development difficulties, promoting good business operation, advancing the upgrading of the industrial structure of the industry, and ultimately realizing the efficient and steady growth of the industry as a whole.

The heavy reliance on input use in hazelnut production not only reduces economic efficiency but also threatens environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for improved input management and reduced ecological impact. This study aimed to assess the eco-efficiency of hazelnut farms using an input-oriented inverse DEA approach, determine the optimal input levels, and identify the factors contributing to eco-inefficiency through truncated regression analysis. Primary data were collected from 121 hazelnut farms through face-to-face interviews in the provinces of Giresun, Ordu, and Samsun in Türkiye. The inverse DEA method was used to evaluate eco-efficiency, while the truncated regression model was used to identify factors contributing to eco-inefficiency. The results revealed that the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in hazelnut production were caused by pesticides, contributing 153.58 kg CO_2-eq of GHG emissions per hectare. This was followed by manure at 132.53 kg CO_2-eq per hectare, chemical fertilizer at 78.44 kg CO_2-eq per hectare, and diesel fuel at 72.66 kg CO_2-eq per hectare. The average eco-efficiency score was calculated to be 82.8%, meaning that inputs could be reduced by 17.2% without affecting output. Pesticide use accounted for 24.83% of the total emissions, while manure contributed 21.42%, making them the largest sources of emissions. In hazelnut production, labor input was the most over-utilized resource, accounting for 12.40% of the total, followed by land size at 11.32% and other inputs at 10.53%. The eco-inefficiency model results showed that farming experience was statistically significant at the 10% level, agricultural insurance at the 5% level, and social security at the 1% level. The inefficient use of resources has a negative impact on both the economy and the environment. Therefore, implementing policies that promote the efficient use of inputs will significantly enhance the eco-efficiency of hazelnut production in Türkiye.

Drawing upon role identity theory and situational strength theory, this paper investigates the mechanisms that connect employees’ green activities with responsible leadership. Using information from a survey of 260 workers across multiple enterprises in Anhui Province, this study reveals that responsible leadership enhances employees’ green role identity, subsequently motivating them to adopt green practices. Furthermore, the association between employees’ green behaviors and responsible leadership is mediated by green role identity. Higher levels of green human resource management reinforce the favorable association between employees’ green behaviors and their green role identity, while green human resource management moderates this relationship. Furthermore, the association between responsible leadership and employees’ green actions is mediated by green role identity, which is moderated by green human resource management. The mediation is amplified at higher levels of green human resource management. This paper deepens our comprehension of the mechanisms and boundaries conditions of responsible leadership, offering valuable insights for enhancing organizational environmental management and guiding employee green behaviors.

Universities undertake critical duties in the development of countries and increasing the level of welfare. Therefore, to achieve sustainable development goals, it is important that they focus their efforts on sustainable campus practices and contribution to society. In this work, organizational life cycle assessment was conducted to identify major environmental aspects and the most impactful processes related to the education and research activities of Kocaeli University. Life cycle impact assessment was performed by EF 3.0 method to evaluate sixteen environmental impact categories and they were comparatively assessed for the two scenarios: present situation (PS) and alternative scenario (AS—which includes increasing renewable energy rate in electricity generation). The major environmental aspects were identified as climate change and use of fossil resources. They constituted approximately 41% and 20% of overall environmental burden of the university campus for the year of 2022; respectively. Considering the processes related to the university campus activities, electricity consumption and heating with natural gas were determined as the most impactful processes which accounted for approximately 80% of the overall environmental burden. On the contrary, treatment of wastewater in the biological wastewater treatment plant located on the university campus ensured 6% environmental saving on overall environmental burden. Comparing two scenarios, it was determined that all impact categories decreased in AS compared with PS; except from the impact category for mineral and metal resource use. According to the uncertainty analysis, AS performed better than PS by 60% of the iterations for overall environmental burden.

Agricultural production and food security are hindered by abiotic stress in plants. Consequently, novel approaches are needed to overcome these problems and achieve sustainability. Crop production has been demonstrated to be improved by nanoparticles under several biotic and abiotic stress conditions. This experiment examined the effect of different concentrations of green synthesized silver nanoparticles AgNPs (15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 ppm) on the growth and physiological responses of pearl millet subjected to NaCl stress levels (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 mM); (3) Results: In the current research, the NaCl stress levels significantly reduced the growth metrics (shoot length, root length, shoot fresh and dry weight, and root fresh and dry weight) chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and soluble protein, compared to control. Contrary to this, all stress levels induced an increase in osmolytes (soluble sugars and proline) and antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase. It is likely that the diminished growth metrics of NaCl-treated seedlings are due to the increased effort put forth in osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense mechanisms to counteract reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. The foliar spray of AgNPs, however, further enhanced osmotic and O₂^--H₂O₂ scavenging mechanisms in NaCl stressed seedlings to reduce the oxidative stress damages, resulting in improved growth. Overall, AgNPs application improved the growth metric, chlorophyll pigments, osmolytes, and antioxidant mechanism of salt-stressed seedlings in a dose-additive manner. However, further testing of AgNPs is required with pearl millet and other cereals in the field to validate these results.