Climate-induced landslides pose a growing challenge in many developing countries, where institutional fragmentation, limited financial capacity, and regulatory gaps hinder effective disaster risk governance. While community-based innovations offer promising solutions, they often face barriers to integration within established technical systems. This study applies the multi-level perspective framework to a case from a highland community in northern Thailand, where vetiver grass was introduced as a nature-based solution to reduce landslide risk. Findings show that increasing disaster frequency and ineffective governance at the landscape level prompted grassroots experimentation with vetiver-based bioengineering. This initiative successfully stabilised landslide-prone areas, demonstrating the potential of niche innovations to build community resilience. The project gained momentum by aligning with the Royal Initiative Project, which legitimised vetiver as a soil conservation tool. Over time, the grassroots effort was formally recognised and integrated into local disaster risk management, marking a shift toward regime-level institutionalisation. This case illustrates how marginalised communities can drive systemic change by moving from reactive adaptation to proactive risk governance. The study highlights the importance of enabling policies that legitimise and scale grassroots innovations to foster inclusive and sustainable disaster resilience.
{"title":"A multi-level perspective on implementing vetiver grass as a nature-based and social innovation for landslide risk reduction","authors":"Unruan Leknoi , Bussarin Duangden , Weeradetch Tanapalungkorn , Suched Likitlersuang","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101371","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101371","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate-induced landslides pose a growing challenge in many developing countries, where institutional fragmentation, limited financial capacity, and regulatory gaps hinder effective disaster risk governance. While community-based innovations offer promising solutions, they often face barriers to integration within established technical systems. This study applies the multi-level perspective framework to a case from a highland community in northern Thailand, where vetiver grass was introduced as a nature-based solution to reduce landslide risk. Findings show that increasing disaster frequency and ineffective governance at the landscape level prompted grassroots experimentation with vetiver-based bioengineering. This initiative successfully stabilised landslide-prone areas, demonstrating the potential of niche innovations to build community resilience. The project gained momentum by aligning with the Royal Initiative Project, which legitimised vetiver as a soil conservation tool. Over time, the grassroots effort was formally recognised and integrated into local disaster risk management, marking a shift toward regime-level institutionalisation. This case illustrates how marginalised communities can drive systemic change by moving from reactive adaptation to proactive risk governance. The study highlights the importance of enabling policies that legitimise and scale grassroots innovations to foster inclusive and sustainable disaster resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101371"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101367
Inácio Ribeiro , Hélder Silva Lopes , Paula C. Remoaldo , Vítor Ribeiro , Juliana Araújo Alves , Lígia Silva
Climate change has a global impact, particularly in urban areas. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are gaining prominence as an important alternative, harnessing natural processes to deliver socio-economic and environmental benefits, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas, owing to their multifaceted nature. In Europe, NbS are being primarily explored in urban environments to enhance resilience to extreme climatic events. This study consisted of a systematic review of 66 projects funded by the European Union (EU) between 2014 and 2023, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), a set of standards aimed at improving the quality and transparency of systematic reviews. The review was carried out through the analysis of EU research and development repositories, based on criteria including funding period, project description, geographical location, typology, methods adopted in each project, and the main challenges identified, which underscore the urgency of innovative solutions to manage natural systems in urban environments. The qualitive and quantitative analysis indicates the wide geographical distribution of the projects, with significant applications in countries such as Spain (n = 76), Italy (n = 40), France (n = 36), Germany (n = 29), and Portugal (with n = 28). Projects were categorized according to their purpose, methodology, and technologies employed, highlighting a diversity of approaches, sufficiently replicable to ensure feasibility in future projects that promote urban sustainability and adaptation to climatic adversities.
The urban challenges faced in the implementation of the projects analysed include issues related to the deployment and replication of solutions, community behavioural change, collaboration between different stakeholders, and funding. Furthermore, the various target groups involved reflect a collaborative approach to the co-creation of NbS, aimed at maximizing benefits and strengthening community resilience, with a particular focus on government entities (n = 50), citizens (n = 41), the scientific community (n = 26), the business community (n = 21), and civil society/NGO (n = 13), thereby achieving the objectives set. This study underscores the importance of NbS as a tool to address social, economic, and environmental challenges, particularly in cities, contributing to the development of more resilient communities. However, in order to effectively respond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), greater efforts are required to ensure the inclusion of NbS and a broader variety of measures in public policies, given that 2030 has been set as the target year for achieving the SDGs.
{"title":"Contribution of nature-based solutions (NbS) to resilience - A review of European projects between 2014 and 2023","authors":"Inácio Ribeiro , Hélder Silva Lopes , Paula C. Remoaldo , Vítor Ribeiro , Juliana Araújo Alves , Lígia Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101367","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change has a global impact, particularly in urban areas. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are gaining prominence as an important alternative, harnessing natural processes to deliver socio-economic and environmental benefits, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas, owing to their multifaceted nature. In Europe, NbS are being primarily explored in urban environments to enhance resilience to extreme climatic events. This study consisted of a systematic review of 66 projects funded by the European Union (EU) between 2014 and 2023, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), a set of standards aimed at improving the quality and transparency of systematic reviews. The review was carried out through the analysis of EU research and development repositories, based on criteria including funding period, project description, geographical location, typology, methods adopted in each project, and the main challenges identified, which underscore the urgency of innovative solutions to manage natural systems in urban environments. The qualitive and quantitative analysis indicates the wide geographical distribution of the projects, with significant applications in countries such as Spain (<em>n</em> = 76), Italy (<em>n</em> = 40), France (<em>n</em> = 36), Germany (<em>n</em> = 29), and Portugal (with <em>n</em> = 28). Projects were categorized according to their purpose, methodology, and technologies employed, highlighting a diversity of approaches, sufficiently replicable to ensure feasibility in future projects that promote urban sustainability and adaptation to climatic adversities.</div><div>The urban challenges faced in the implementation of the projects analysed include issues related to the deployment and replication of solutions, community behavioural change, collaboration between different stakeholders, and funding. Furthermore, the various target groups involved reflect a collaborative approach to the co-creation of NbS, aimed at maximizing benefits and strengthening community resilience, with a particular focus on government entities (<em>n</em> = 50), citizens (<em>n</em> = 41), the scientific community (<em>n</em> = 26), the business community (<em>n</em> = 21), and civil society/NGO (<em>n</em> = 13), thereby achieving the objectives set. This study underscores the importance of NbS as a tool to address social, economic, and environmental challenges, particularly in cities, contributing to the development of more resilient communities. However, in order to effectively respond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), greater efforts are required to ensure the inclusion of NbS and a broader variety of measures in public policies, given that 2030 has been set as the target year for achieving the SDGs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101367"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Balaenoptera edeni (Bryde's whale complex) plays a pivotal role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance. However, the Bryde's whale population is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures, including habitat disruption and food scarcity. Despite these challenges, the lack of comprehensive scientific data impeded conservation efforts, particularly in the Gulf of Thailand. This study addresses these knowledge gaps by examining the key factors influencing Bryde's whale populations, integrating interdisciplinary principles, and applying robust analytical tools such as the Delphi method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This research identifies and prioritizes the risk factors affecting Bryde's whales in the upper Gulf of Thailand. The ten sub-factors influencing the Bryde's whale population—non-aggressive behavior, coastal dwellers, long lifespan and top consumer, climate change, water pollution, underwater noise, habitat loss due to coastal development, spatial use conflict, unregulated whale watching, and competition for food resource by human—were synthesized using the Delphi method. A hierarchical model structured these sub-factors into two overarching groups (environmental and human-induced factors) to identify the most critical risk factors affecting the Bryde's whale population. The findings reveal that human-induced threats, such as spatial use conflicts, competition with humans for food resources, water pollution, and unregulated whale-watching practices, are of the highest concern. The integrated Delphi and AHP methods effectively evaluated these risks, allowing for the systematic analysis of stakeholder input and reducing decision-making bias through pairwise comparisons. The results offer valuable insights for developing targeted conservation strategies to safeguard the Bryde's whale population in the upper Gulf of Thailand.
{"title":"How well are Our Whales? Assessing key risks to Bryde's whales in the Gulf of Thailand using integrated Delphi-AHP method","authors":"Sittinon Sanor , Saowanee Wijitkosum , Somrudee Meprasert Jitpraphai","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101366","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101366","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Balaenoptera edeni</em> (Bryde's whale complex) plays a pivotal role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance. However, the Bryde's whale population is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures, including habitat disruption and food scarcity. Despite these challenges, the lack of comprehensive scientific data impeded conservation efforts, particularly in the Gulf of Thailand. This study addresses these knowledge gaps by examining the key factors influencing Bryde's whale populations, integrating interdisciplinary principles, and applying robust analytical tools such as the Delphi method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This research identifies and prioritizes the risk factors affecting Bryde's whales in the upper Gulf of Thailand. The ten sub-factors influencing the Bryde's whale population—non-aggressive behavior, coastal dwellers, long lifespan and top consumer, climate change, water pollution, underwater noise, habitat loss due to coastal development, spatial use conflict, unregulated whale watching, and competition for food resource by human—were synthesized using the Delphi method. A hierarchical model structured these sub-factors into two overarching groups (environmental and human-induced factors) to identify the most critical risk factors affecting the Bryde's whale population. The findings reveal that human-induced threats, such as spatial use conflicts, competition with humans for food resources, water pollution, and unregulated whale-watching practices, are of the highest concern. The integrated Delphi and AHP methods effectively evaluated these risks, allowing for the systematic analysis of stakeholder input and reducing decision-making bias through pairwise comparisons. The results offer valuable insights for developing targeted conservation strategies to safeguard the Bryde's whale population in the upper Gulf of Thailand.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101366"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101365
Saskia Neumann , Julie M.L. Berta , Thomas Elliot , Lars Bodum
Climate change causes an increase in occurrence and intensity of extreme weather events, especially in densely built cities. Consequently, inequities are created as not only the exposure varies across geographies, but also the sensitivity and adaptive capacity towards climate hazards, which can differ on an individual level. From an urban climate justice perspective, these inequities need to be considered in climate adaptation planning practices, something that is currently lacking in many municipalities. This research explores how municipalities can assess social vulnerability for a more just approach to climate adaptation planning. A case study of the coastal city of Oostende (Belgium) is used to illustrate the method, which combines exposure to climate hazards (fluvial flooding, pluvial flooding, storm surges, and heat) and an established social vulnerability index covering a wide range of social and cultural factors that influence sensitivity and adaptive capacity of those communities. The results are mapped and these facilitate prioritisation for just climate adaptation measures. Namely making parts of the population more visible, which serves to increase the recognition of disadvantaged groups and their realities, which is why adaption measures can be tailored to their specific needs. This can also be used to positively influence the distribution of adaptation measures across the city but also across its inhabitants. Maps such as the ones produced in this study can function as an aid to point towards areas that are especially vulnerable and make the communication of these issues within and outside of the municipality easier. The approach has proven to be user-friendly and easy to implement by Oostende as well as other European coastal cities.
{"title":"Towards urban climate justice: Integrating social vulnerability in climate adaptation planning","authors":"Saskia Neumann , Julie M.L. Berta , Thomas Elliot , Lars Bodum","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101365","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change causes an increase in occurrence and intensity of extreme weather events, especially in densely built cities. Consequently, inequities are created as not only the exposure varies across geographies, but also the sensitivity and adaptive capacity towards climate hazards, which can differ on an individual level. From an urban climate justice perspective, these inequities need to be considered in climate adaptation planning practices, something that is currently lacking in many municipalities. This research explores how municipalities can assess social vulnerability for a more just approach to climate adaptation planning. A case study of the coastal city of Oostende (Belgium) is used to illustrate the method, which combines exposure to climate hazards (fluvial flooding, pluvial flooding, storm surges, and heat) and an established social vulnerability index covering a wide range of social and cultural factors that influence sensitivity and adaptive capacity of those communities. The results are mapped and these facilitate prioritisation for just climate adaptation measures. Namely making parts of the population more visible, which serves to increase the recognition of disadvantaged groups and their realities, which is why adaption measures can be tailored to their specific needs. This can also be used to positively influence the distribution of adaptation measures across the city but also across its inhabitants. Maps such as the ones produced in this study can function as an aid to point towards areas that are especially vulnerable and make the communication of these issues within and outside of the municipality easier. The approach has proven to be user-friendly and easy to implement by Oostende as well as other European coastal cities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101365"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101363
Godspower Oke Omokaro , Ikioukenigha Michael , Ogheneochuko Shadrack Efeni , Opelopejesu Israel Adeyanju , Justice Obomejero
This study reviews the systemic failures and opportunities in Nigeria's waste management landscape. Nigeria's solid waste crisis reflects structural deficiencies in governance, infrastructure, and behavior, with cascading effects on public health and ecosystems. Using a scoping review methodology guided by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and reported in line with PRISMA-ScR standards, 84 multidisciplinary studies were synthesized to (i) map institutional and environmental risks, (ii) appraise regional disparities and the role of informal waste pickers, and (iii) evaluate the feasibility of circular economy pathways suited to Nigeria's context. The findings show that fragmented mandates, weak enforcement, and data scarcity entrench open dumping and burning, driving leachate and air-pollution burdens and elevating disease risks, especially in informal settlements. Nonetheless, significant opportunities exist in decentralized organics management, inclusive recycling ecosystems, and targeted waste-to-energy niches. Evidence was translated into a phased governance roadmap that prioritizes a unified national policy with enforceable Extended Producer Responsibility, formal integration of informal workers with safety and finance provisions, city-level digital registries and route optimization, and community-based separation of organics and plastics. While finance, infrastructure gaps, market development, and social acceptance constrain scaling, addressing these challenges can enable a transition from linear disposal to a resilient and circular waste system. Overall, the review concludes that Nigeria's path forward lies in linking governance reform with culturally sensitive, inclusive, and scalable circular economy solutions aligned with SDGs 6, 11, and 12.
{"title":"Waste management in Nigeria: Systemic failures, circular economy pathways and sustainable solutions","authors":"Godspower Oke Omokaro , Ikioukenigha Michael , Ogheneochuko Shadrack Efeni , Opelopejesu Israel Adeyanju , Justice Obomejero","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101363","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101363","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reviews the systemic failures and opportunities in Nigeria's waste management landscape. Nigeria's solid waste crisis reflects structural deficiencies in governance, infrastructure, and behavior, with cascading effects on public health and ecosystems. Using a scoping review methodology guided by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and reported in line with PRISMA-ScR standards, 84 multidisciplinary studies were synthesized to (i) map institutional and environmental risks, (ii) appraise regional disparities and the role of informal waste pickers, and (iii) evaluate the feasibility of circular economy pathways suited to Nigeria's context. The findings show that fragmented mandates, weak enforcement, and data scarcity entrench open dumping and burning, driving leachate and air-pollution burdens and elevating disease risks, especially in informal settlements. Nonetheless, significant opportunities exist in decentralized organics management, inclusive recycling ecosystems, and targeted waste-to-energy niches. Evidence was translated into a phased governance roadmap that prioritizes a unified national policy with enforceable Extended Producer Responsibility, formal integration of informal workers with safety and finance provisions, city-level digital registries and route optimization, and community-based separation of organics and plastics. While finance, infrastructure gaps, market development, and social acceptance constrain scaling, addressing these challenges can enable a transition from linear disposal to a resilient and circular waste system. Overall, the review concludes that Nigeria's path forward lies in linking governance reform with culturally sensitive, inclusive, and scalable circular economy solutions aligned with SDGs 6, 11, and 12.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101363"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Since 1992, UNDP's Global Environment Facility - Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) has supported over 27,000 community-driven environmental projects across the world. Despite its grassroots success, knowledge management (KM) within the SGP remains fragmented, limiting the systematic documentation, sharing, and scaling of local innovations. Since Operational Phase 7 (OP7), UNDP initiated efforts to strengthen KM by partnering with national organizations, yet strategies vary widely due to diverse regional and institutional contexts. Examining the evolution of SGP's thematic priorities and KM initiatives, and identifying key gaps and institutional challenges, this perspective article argues for a unified yet flexible KM framework. We propose actionable elements for such a system grounded in global learning, participatory knowledge capture, communication strategies, local ownership and cross-learning, while respecting local specificity. Such a system can enhance horizontal learning, policy engagement, and the replication of community-based solutions by bridging global environmental objectives with grassroots insights.
{"title":"Towards a unified knowledge management framework for Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP): Bridging global goals with local insights","authors":"Susmita Mitra , Dhiman Debsarma , Dipankar Saharia , Aradhana Goyal","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101364","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101364","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since 1992, UNDP's Global Environment Facility - Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) has supported over 27,000 community-driven environmental projects across the world. Despite its grassroots success, knowledge management (KM) within the SGP remains fragmented, limiting the systematic documentation, sharing, and scaling of local innovations. Since Operational Phase 7 (OP7), UNDP initiated efforts to strengthen KM by partnering with national organizations, yet strategies vary widely due to diverse regional and institutional contexts. Examining the evolution of SGP's thematic priorities and KM initiatives, and identifying key gaps and institutional challenges, this perspective article argues for a unified yet flexible KM framework. We propose actionable elements for such a system grounded in global learning, participatory knowledge capture, communication strategies, local ownership and cross-learning, while respecting local specificity. Such a system can enhance horizontal learning, policy engagement, and the replication of community-based solutions by bridging global environmental objectives with grassroots insights.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101364"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-05DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101362
Laxita Soontha, Mohammad Younus Bhat
Forests are vital life-preserving assets, essential for biodiversity, human health, climate change mitigation, and economic stability. Yet, they are increasingly threatened by forest fires, which undermine these benefits. In the first half of 2025, forest fires in the United States burned over 810,000 acres, Canada lost 7.3 million hectares, while the 2020 Australian mega-fires, which caused an estimated US $20 billion in economic losses, illustrate the scale and urgency of the problem. Despite such impacts, research integrating the diverse dimensions of forest fires, including suppression costs, health effects, tourism, economic impacts, technological advancements, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, remains limited. This study systematically reviews 142 peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2023, underscoring the importance of applying theoretical frameworks to practical fire management strategies, bridging the gap between academic insight and real-world application. The findings show that forest fires generate cascading effects on economic growth, ecological services, biodiversity, human health, and macroeconomic stability, all critical for achieving sustainable development goals. Persistent research gaps include the scarcity of region-specific long-term studies, limited integration of opportunity costs into economic assessments, insufficient attention to chronic health impacts, lack of socio-ecological evaluations, minimal empirical work on indigenous populations, and inadequate practical assessment of fire management technologies. Addressing these gaps require investigation into demographic outcomes such as infant mortality and female fertility rates, adoption of advanced valuation methods including the Replacement Cost Method and the Avoided Cost Method, and systematic study of climate–fire feedback loops to ensure theoretical models are effectively translated into actionable strategies for sustainable development and resilience.
{"title":"Global firestorm: Igniting insights on environmental and socio-economic impacts for future research","authors":"Laxita Soontha, Mohammad Younus Bhat","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101362","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101362","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forests are vital life-preserving assets, essential for biodiversity, human health, climate change mitigation, and economic stability. Yet, they are increasingly threatened by forest fires, which undermine these benefits. In the first half of 2025, forest fires in the United States burned over 810,000 acres, Canada lost 7.3 million hectares, while the 2020 Australian mega-fires, which caused an estimated US $20 billion in economic losses, illustrate the scale and urgency of the problem. Despite such impacts, research integrating the diverse dimensions of forest fires, including suppression costs, health effects, tourism, economic impacts, technological advancements, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, remains limited. This study systematically reviews 142 peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2023, underscoring the importance of applying theoretical frameworks to practical fire management strategies, bridging the gap between academic insight and real-world application. The findings show that forest fires generate cascading effects on economic growth, ecological services, biodiversity, human health, and macroeconomic stability, all critical for achieving sustainable development goals. Persistent research gaps include the scarcity of region-specific long-term studies, limited integration of opportunity costs into economic assessments, insufficient attention to chronic health impacts, lack of socio-ecological evaluations, minimal empirical work on indigenous populations, and inadequate practical assessment of fire management technologies. Addressing these gaps require investigation into demographic outcomes such as infant mortality and female fertility rates, adoption of advanced valuation methods including the Replacement Cost Method and the Avoided Cost Method, and systematic study of climate–fire feedback loops to ensure theoretical models are effectively translated into actionable strategies for sustainable development and resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101362"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The environmental and climate crises have intensified the need for a new perspective on agricultural systems toward sustainability. This study presents a Systematic Literature Review focused on Alternative Agricultural Systems and their potential to address environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges. By qualitatively analyzing 74 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024, of which fifty presented specific environmental tools or technologies, this review explores the theoretical foundations of Alternative Agricultural Systems, their typologies, and the innovations employed to reduce the impacts of conventional agriculture. For this purpose, bibliometric tools and co-occurrence mapping using VOSviewer were applied. The study also identified the main research-conducting countries, thematic evolution, and emerging trends in sustainable agriculture. The results reveal a growing scientific interest in Alternative Agricultural Systems, particularly between 2014 and 2021, highlighting Biotechnology, Life Cycle Assessment, and Industry 4.0 as the most prominent technological fields. These findings emphasize the relevance of Alternative Agricultural Systems in promoting resilient and low-impact agricultural practices and contribute to the formulation of policies and technological pathways for sustainable food systems.
{"title":"The state of the art of alternative agricultural systems and their relationship with sustainability: Tools and technologies used to mitigate the climate and environmental crisis","authors":"Mariane Engler , Patrik Gustavo Wiesel , Liane Mählmann Kipper , Eduardo Alcayaga Lobo , Rodrigo Nunes Wessner","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101359","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101359","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The environmental and climate crises have intensified the need for a new perspective on agricultural systems toward sustainability. This study presents a Systematic Literature Review focused on Alternative Agricultural Systems and their potential to address environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges. By qualitatively analyzing 74 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024, of which fifty presented specific environmental tools or technologies, this review explores the theoretical foundations of Alternative Agricultural Systems, their typologies, and the innovations employed to reduce the impacts of conventional agriculture. For this purpose, bibliometric tools and co-occurrence mapping using VOSviewer were applied. The study also identified the main research-conducting countries, thematic evolution, and emerging trends in sustainable agriculture. The results reveal a growing scientific interest in Alternative Agricultural Systems, particularly between 2014 and 2021, highlighting Biotechnology, Life Cycle Assessment, and Industry 4.0 as the most prominent technological fields. These findings emphasize the relevance of Alternative Agricultural Systems in promoting resilient and low-impact agricultural practices and contribute to the formulation of policies and technological pathways for sustainable food systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101359"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101361
Leake Tesfahunegn, Rajeev Pandey
The quality of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of EIA system reports, which are essential for informed decision-making. The purpose of this research is to assess the quality of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study reports and to identify the key factors influencing their quality. This study is based on a review of ESIA documents from various projects, as well as insights from environmental officers, consultants, and managers of consulting firms regarding the quality of ESIA reports submitted to the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority. The quality of 20 ESIA study reports from different sectors and periods was examined using the Lee & Colley review package. The findings indicate that the quality of nine ESIA reports was satisfactory, although certain components were poorly addressed. In contrast, 11 reports were found to be of unsatisfactory quality, with many areas falling below acceptable standards. According to 82 % of respondents, the main factors contributing to the poor quality of ESIA documents included the attitude of project proponents, the composition of assessment teams, lack of funding, insufficient study duration, the performance of EIA practitioners, limited public participation, ineffective decision-making, corrupt practices in EIA processes, and inadequate baseline data. To improve the quality of future ESIA reports, it is recommended that periodic and systematic reviews be conducted. These reviews should aim to identify and hold accountable developers and consultants who produce substandard ESIA reports, thereby ensuring better practices in future projects.
{"title":"Quality of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study reports and determinants affecting the quality of ESIA in the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority","authors":"Leake Tesfahunegn, Rajeev Pandey","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101361","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101361","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The quality of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of EIA system reports, which are essential for informed decision-making. The purpose of this research is to assess the quality of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study reports and to identify the key factors influencing their quality. This study is based on a review of ESIA documents from various projects, as well as insights from environmental officers, consultants, and managers of consulting firms regarding the quality of ESIA reports submitted to the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority. The quality of 20 ESIA study reports from different sectors and periods was examined using the Lee & Colley review package. The findings indicate that the quality of nine ESIA reports was satisfactory, although certain components were poorly addressed. In contrast, 11 reports were found to be of unsatisfactory quality, with many areas falling below acceptable standards. According to 82 % of respondents, the main factors contributing to the poor quality of ESIA documents included the attitude of project proponents, the composition of assessment teams, lack of funding, insufficient study duration, the performance of EIA practitioners, limited public participation, ineffective decision-making, corrupt practices in EIA processes, and inadequate baseline data. To improve the quality of future ESIA reports, it is recommended that periodic and systematic reviews be conducted. These reviews should aim to identify and hold accountable developers and consultants who produce substandard ESIA reports, thereby ensuring better practices in future projects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101361"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101358
Babtista Putri Grahani , Fernan Patrick Flores , Yogi Tri Prasetyo , Maela Madel L. Cahigas , Reny Nadlifatin , Ma Janice J. Gumasing
As Greater Jakarta is highly vulnerable to flood disasters that pose significant economic risks, enhancing residents' preparedness has become a critical policy priority. This study extended the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) by incorporating both external factors and PMT constructs to examine their influence on flood preparedness intentions. While PMT has been commonly applied using traditional methods like Structural Equation Modeling, such approaches often assume linear relationships and rely on rigid model structures. To overcome these limitations, this study integrated Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) as a flexible, data-driven method for identifying influential predictors. Following hyperparameter experimentation, the optimal Multilayer Perceptron model was configured with one hidden layer comprising forty nodes, using the Adam optimizer and Swish-Sigmoid activation functions for both hidden and output layers. The results showed that Coping Appraisal, Threat Appraisal, Flood Experience, Media Exposure, Geographical Perspective, and Government Action all positively influenced respondents’ Protection Motivation, with Coping Appraisal identified as the most influential factor. These findings provide actionable insights for local policymakers and organizations, while also demonstrating the potential of ANN as a powerful tool in behavioral disaster preparedness research.
{"title":"Assessing factors influencing flood preparedness among Jakarta residents: A multilayer perceptron artificial neural network based on protection motivation theory","authors":"Babtista Putri Grahani , Fernan Patrick Flores , Yogi Tri Prasetyo , Maela Madel L. Cahigas , Reny Nadlifatin , Ma Janice J. Gumasing","doi":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As Greater Jakarta is highly vulnerable to flood disasters that pose significant economic risks, enhancing residents' preparedness has become a critical policy priority. This study extended the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) by incorporating both external factors and PMT constructs to examine their influence on flood preparedness intentions. While PMT has been commonly applied using traditional methods like Structural Equation Modeling, such approaches often assume linear relationships and rely on rigid model structures. To overcome these limitations, this study integrated Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) as a flexible, data-driven method for identifying influential predictors. Following hyperparameter experimentation, the optimal Multilayer Perceptron model was configured with one hidden layer comprising forty nodes, using the Adam optimizer and Swish-Sigmoid activation functions for both hidden and output layers. The results showed that Coping Appraisal, Threat Appraisal, Flood Experience, Media Exposure, Geographical Perspective, and Government Action all positively influenced respondents’ Protection Motivation, with Coping Appraisal identified as the most influential factor. These findings provide actionable insights for local policymakers and organizations, while also demonstrating the potential of ANN as a powerful tool in behavioral disaster preparedness research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54269,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Development","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101358"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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