Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (EMSD) would like to thank the following reviewers for reviewing manuscripts from November 1, 2025, to May 1, 2026. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Many authors, regardless of whether EMSD publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Macrothink Institute appreciates the following reviewers’ rigorous and conscientious efforts for this journal. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review during this period. Dastun Gabriel Msuya, Sokoine University of Agriculture, TanzaniaDilek Kaya-Akyüzlü, Ankara University, TurkeyElham Mohamed, National Research Centre, EgyptErico Fernando Lopes Pereira-Silva, Federal University of ABC, BrazilFarahdilah Ghazali, University of Malaysia Terengganu, MalaysiaFarhaoui Mohamed, National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, MoroccoJoão Fernando Pereira Gomes, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, PortugueseManuel Mendoza-Carranza, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), MexicoMohammad Aghababaei, Washington State University, USAMona M. Amin Abdel-Fatah, National Research Center in Egypt, EgyptOylum Gokkurt Baki, Sinop University, TurkeySyakir Amir Ab. Rahman, International Islamic University Malaysia, MalaysiaXiu Wu, Texas State University, USAYetimoni Kpeebi, Missouri State University, United States
The constructions of dams are associated with massive displacement and resettlement of people. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive qualitative research method. The study established that the construction of the Mwache dam exerted adverse livelihood impacts on displaced households by causing them to lose their livelihood activities and become more impoverished in the newly resettled areas since livelihood restoration was not easy. The study revealed that resettlement implementation policies were constraining effective resettlement and rehabilitation of the displaced households due to delays in livelihood compensation money and not giving enough information to the displaced households on how to use the compensation money they received. The study indicated that the existing Kenya resettlement legal frameworks on resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced people due to the Mwache dam were not effectively implemented; displaced households felt they were under-compensated compared to other projects which had displaced households early, like standard gauge railways where displaced households were given enough money. Further, the study recommends that resettlement implementation teams follow Kenyan resettlement legal frameworks on displacement resettlement and rehabilitation to integrate displaced people’s livelihood enhancement restoration into resettlement plans to minimize adverse impacts.
The Amazon remains a climate cornerstone, yet deforestation pressures persist and the role of carbon projects in mitigating those pressures is contested. We assemble a municipality-level panel for the Brazilian Amazon by harmonizing land-cover classifications, deforestation indicators, municipal geometries, and the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) registry of REDD+ projects. Spatial structure is characterized with Moran’s I and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA); environmental profiles are synthesized via PCA-assisted hierarchical clustering. To explain where projects occur, we estimate standard and Firth bias-reduced logistic regressions with standardized predictors reflecting pressure (recent deforestation) and stock (remaining forest cover). Projects concentrate both in well-preserved forest clusters and along livestock/agriculture conversion frontiers, indicating a bimodal geography consistent with preventive and reactive logics. Across specifications, recent deforestation share is the only consistent, statistically significant predictor of siting; a one-standard-deviation increase raises the odds of REDD+ presence by about 50% (OR ≈ 1.5) in the Firth model, while simple“more forest, more projects” patterns weaken once recent clearing is controlled for. We discuss implications for interpreting siting through a transparent pressure-stock lens (as an interpretive, not prescriptive, tool), and we note limitations alongside extensions using spatial logit/probit, improved entity resolution, and quasi-experimental checks for impacts.
This study investigates the perceptions and experiences of current, former, and non-users of biomass briquettes in Mbarara City, Uganda. Using a qualitative approach, 24 participants were selected through snowball and purposive sampling, ensuring representation from all three user groups and briquette producers. In-depth interviews were conducted to capture their views, behaviours, and attitudes toward biomass briquettes. Briquette producers were interviewed to gain deeper insights into production practices, challenges, and the factors that influence the adoption of briquettes. Compared to charcoal, briquettes last longer on a cookstove, making them ideal for steaming food, which is a common practice. The lack of information about the briquettes and the briquettes taking too long to ignite are highlighted as the main reasons for low adoption and abandonment. Various factors, including food preparation habits, social connections, knowledge about briquettes, and media exposure, do influence adoption. The current briquettes produced and used in Mbarara are mainly made of charcoal residues, which makes them unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly. The frequent breakdown of machines is highlighted as a major challenge for briquette producers. Strategies such as leveraging social networks, conducting physical cooking demonstrations, improving briquette quality, using fire starters, training more producers, and utilizing social media could enhance adoption rates and reduce user attrition. The triple helix model could bridge the knowledge and skills gaps to facilitate institutional collaborations and improve the quality of briquettes. Future research should explore the drivers of briquette adoption in medium and large-scale enterprises, such as poultry farms, schools, restaurants, and manufacturing industries.
Urban renewal is a dynamic and essential process aimed at revitalizing aging and deteriorated urban areas through building renovation, the creation of new public spaces, and the enhancement of public services. This study seeks to ensure that urban environments remain vibrant and functional, providing residents with a high quality of life through well-designed renewal initiatives.When implemented through a comprehensive approach that integrates economic and environmental sustainability in service of social goals and human needs, urban renewal can significantly enhance quality of life while preserving the distinctive character of urban areas.This paper adopts a holistic perspective that reconfigures the dimensions of sustainability to prioritize the social dimension, integrating economic and environmental considerations to serve inclusive development. Through a theoretical and analytical study grounded in successful global experiences, the paper identifies key strategies and conceptual approaches for achieving socially sustainable urban renewal, while safeguarding urban identity and promoting social justice.
The study investigates the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance practices on corporate performance and examines how regulatory environments moderate this relationship. A quantitative explanatory research design is employed, using secondary data from 70 publicly listed firms across both Emerging and Developed markets between 2010 and 2024. The study used Fixed Effects regression models, with robustness checks through Random Effects and diagnostic tests. This study finds that ESG practices significantly enhance corporate performance by helping firms manage risks, build stakeholder trust, and improve access to capital. The results show that ESG is most effective when supported by a strong regulatory environment, which enhances transparency, accountability, and alignment with stakeholder interests. Firms operating under robust regulations achieve better financial outcomes through more credible and strategic ESG implementation. The findings highlight that ESG is not merely a voluntary or symbolic effort but a value-creating strategy, especially when guided by institutional support. Thus, regulation and ESG together drive stronger, more sustainable corporate performance across diverse markets. Given these results, firms should embed ESG considerations at the board and executive levels, ensuring that ESG risks and opportunities are systematically integrated into decision-making processes.
Whilst agriculture has flourished in most River Basins of the World for socio-economic sustenance, the exploitation of river basin potentials for agriculture remains crucial in ensuring food security. This study explores the influence of physiographic factors, particularly topography and soil properties, on agricultural dynamics within the Menchum River Basin, Cameroon. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, data was collected from 239 agriculturalists involved in slope cultivation across three agro-ecological zones: Bamenda, Bafut, and Menchum Valley. Landsat satellite imagery was utilized to map physiographic variations and correlate farmland distribution patterns with slope gradients. The research employed descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including Pearson Product Moment Correlation, to assess the relationship between slope gradient and cropland density. The results indicate that topography and soil fertility play a critical role in determining crop distribution and farming practices. However, the study reveals a disconnection between land suitability and crop selection, particularly in areas with steep slopes and limited soil fertility. This misalignment leads to inefficient land use and environmental degradation. Therefore, it is recommended that agricultural practices in the basin be better aligned with physiographic constraints, advocating for the adoption of sustainable land management practices such as terracing to reduce soil erosion and improve land productivity.
AbstractThe transition from conventional agriculture to regenerative systems represents one of the greatest contemporary challenges in the face of climate, ecological, and food crises. This study proposes a first-order Markov chain model, conditioned by energy indicators, to represent and simulate agroecological transitions in Brazil between 2010 and 2023. The transition matrix was parameterized based on three structural variables: renewable energy consumption, fossil fuel use, and energy depletion relative to gross national product. The results indicate a progressive decline in conventional agriculture and a significant increase in consolidated regenerative agriculture, particularly in contexts with higher shares of renewable sources. The modeling revealed that transitions occur sequentially, moving through intermediate stages and being strongly influenced by the energy structure. The model was statistically validated and demonstrated high sensitivity to decarbonization incentive policies. The proposed approach contributes to sustainable territorial planning by integrating energy and agroecological variables, offering a robust tool to support public policies and ecological transition strategies in rural territories.
The emergence of green deforestation demands heightened attention, as it conceals environmental degradation under the guise of sustainability. In this context, the objective of this study is to analyze the deforestation pattern in the state of Pará, assessing whether it exhibits a specific spatial distribution and whether the structural causes of deforestation enable the identification of areas correlated with so-called green deforestation. The research adopts a descriptive and quantitative approach, employing the Moran’s I and LISA indices to identify spatial clusters of deforestation. Additionally, the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests were applied to analyze relationships among deforestation, development, and productive activities in 143 municipalities of Pará. The results reveal four distinct territorial patterns (clusters), in which deforestation is strongly associated with livestock farming (ρ = 0.866), followed by agriculture. The High-High cluster is particularly noteworthy for combining high municipal development with elevated deforestation rates, driven by intensive agricultural and livestock expansion. Conversely, the Low-Low cluster demonstrates lower environmental pressure and greater sustainable extraction of non-timber forest products such as açaí and Brazil nuts. The principal conclusion is that deforestation in Pará does not follow a uniform pattern but instead reflects distinct territorial trajectories, which require regionally tailored public policies. Based on these findings, there is a pressing need for greater governmental attention in the planning of public initiatives to promote economic activities and combat deforestation. Such interventions must be implemented in accordance with the specific characteristics of each region.
The construction sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, yet the role of embodied carbon (EC) emissions associated with materials and construction processes remains under-addressed, particularly in Malaysia. This paper reviews current practices, challenges, and methodologies for assessing EC in the Malaysian construction industry. It highlights the dominance of operational carbon in regulatory reporting and the limited industry-wide adoption of embodied carbon evaluation, largely due to data gaps, lack of awareness, and implementation barriers. Drawing on local and international studies, the paper explores assessment methods such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Input-Output LCA, and hybrid approaches. It evaluates the implications of building design systems, especially the role of Industrialized Building Systems (IBS), in reducing EC. The findings stress the need for standardized EC data, stronger policy enforcement, and industry collaboration to support Malaysia’s transition toward sustainable, low-carbon construction.
Green fuel production from food waste can help manage waste disposal. A study was conducted to test the efficiency of biogas production under different temperature conditions in small-scale anaerobic digesters from canteen food waste and biogas slurry from waste water treatment plant as starter culture of Yverdon Les Bains, under Swiss conditions, which have potential for waste disposal and energy supply in urban areas. This anaerobic digester was operated first at thermophilic then mesophilic temperature ranges with specific bacteria active in each range. Efficiency of the biogas digester was checked with varying the temperature in the digester from thermophilic to mesophilic conditions, with and without stirring for a period of three months. Temperature, methane concentration and biogas flow rate were continuously acquired using a Labview® Data Acquisition System, developed in-house with a lab-scale digester. The digester was constructed of stainless steel with a water jacket heated by an electric water heater with a circulating pump and agitation provided by impellers and baffles. The study shows anaerobic digestion can recover from abrupt changes between thermophilic and mesophilic conditions without intervention or changing the feeding regime. ATP analysis showed that microorganisms stress was higher under thermophilic than under mesophilic conditions. We can conclude that for food waste and mixtures of food-waste and cow-dung under thermophilic conditions result in increased biogas flow and an 11% increase in methane concentration compared to mesophilic condition, without stirring. Results also show biogas production reached 66% of methane at pH of 7.48 and volume concentration within the first month under thermophilic condition (56-580C). Later the same digester was set to mesophilic conditions, i.e. 30-400C with an efficiency of 55%. Maximum and continuous biogas was recorded above 570C until 590C with better solid destruction and biogas yield.
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (EMSD) would like to thank the following reviewers for reviewing manuscripts from November 1, 2024, to May 1, 2025. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Many authors, regardless of whether EMSD publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Macrothink Institute appreciates the following reviewers’ rigorous and conscientious efforts for this journal. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review during this period. Aristotulus Ernst Tungka, University of Sam Ratulangi Manado, IndonesiaChuck Chuan Ng, Xiamen University Malaysia, MalaysiaDilek Kaya-Akyüzlü, Ankara University, TurkeyElham Mohamed, National Research Centre, EgyptFarahdilah Ghazali, University of Malaysia Terengganu, MalaysiaFareeha Nadeem, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, PakistanFarhaoui Mohamed, National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, MoroccoGandhi Escajadillo Toledo, Peruvian University of Applied Sciences, PeruGiacomo Chiesa, Politecnico di Torino, ItalyHengky Halim, Universiti Utara Malaysia, MalaysiaManuel Mendoza-Carranza, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), MexicoMohammad Aghababaei, Washington State University, USAMona M. Amin Abdel-Fatah, National Research Center in Egypt, EgyptOylum Gokkurt Baki, Sinop University, TurkeySyakir Amir Ab. Rahman, International Islamic University Malaysia, MalaysiaTaina da Silva Rocha Paz, Federal Fluminense University, BrazilXiu Wu, Texas State University, USAYetimoni Kpeebi, Missouri State University, United States
This is a research paper that is focused on assessing issues relating to Climate Change Activism by 1st year university students and its implications for environmental concerns and issues.An interpretive methodology was utilised in order to help understand 1st year university student perceptions of Climate Change Activism in Bangkok. The scope for this research were 1st year private university students involved in climate change activism. Consequently, the population of interest was made up of 4 separate groupings, located at multiple private university sites geographically situated in Bangkok.The research outcomes comprised of Four (4) main themes: Motivation, Society; Climate Change Strategies; and university Issues; and Twelve (12) sub-themes, underpinned by 219 conversation targets.The paper addresses the raised issues of 1st year private university students’ knowledge and attempts of influencing climate change developments in Thailand, in relation to western approaches through the “Thunberg effect”.
Several alternative vehicles and zero-carbon fuels have been developed and used to mitigate climate change, reduce the air pollution in cities and the dependence on oil resources. Their use is necessary for achieving the net-zero emissions target in the next decades. Among these vehicles are electric vehicles and vehicles with ICEs using electricity, hydrogen and bio-fuels of organic origin. The possibility of using alternative vehicles and fuels in Crete, Greece for de-carbonization of vehicles transportation has been examined. The use of electric vehicles equipped with re-chargeable electric batteries, electric vehicles equipped with fuel cells using hydrogen and vehicles with internal combustion engines using bio-fuels has been studied. The required electricity for re-charging electric batteries and for electrolytic hydrogen production can be generated from the abundant local solar and wind energy resources. Taking into account the maturity and the cost-effectiveness of the solar-PV technology as well as the wind turbine’s technology in Crete the use of electric vehicles powered by green electricity is prioritized for the green transition of the transportation sector. Bio-fuels which are used in conventional vehicles are not produced in the island. Each type of the abovementioned vehicles and fuels has several advantages and drawbacks which can accelerate or delay their use in Crete. It has been found that the green transition of vehicles transportation in the island has positive and negative economic impacts to all stakeholders. The results could be useful to policy makers, local authorities and to local stakeholders while they can assist in the development of a plan for de-carbonizing the island by 2050.
The most significant environmental issue associated with palm oil that is accused by the European Union is deforestation, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. The tension arose after the EU established Renewable Energy Directive II. EU considered palm oil-producing countries have ignored environmental issues by expanding palm oil plantations which has resulted in deforestation. This made palm oil plantations included in the high-risk Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) category. Therefore, this article presents a comparison of the sustainability between palm oil and other vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, etc. The findings of this article contextualize the comparative advantage of palm oil over other similar resources. The reasons why palm oil is more sustainable are it needs less land to produce the same amount of oil, its sustainability certification at the international level such as RSPO which is also connected to SDGs, and at the domestic level such as ISPO and MSPO. One strategy proposed in this article is instead of boycotting palm oil, the government and stakeholders should prioritize the implementation of sustainable practices, enhance the monitoring and enforcement of RSPO scheme standards, and tackle social concerns and deforestation that are always linked to palm oil.
The global community already spends billions of dollars per year on projects and strategies intended to adapt to current and future challenges brought about by climate change. Indigenous communities, which are often place-based and culturally dependent on local resources, are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Without adequate funding to build climate resilience, these communities face potential displacement and cultural extinction. The United States government maintains a complex and subjective system by which it acknowledges the Indigenous communities within its borders and enforces this recognition system to make determinations on which Indigenous Peoples to engage through numerous climate adaptation programs and grants. This study utilizes a comparative statutory review of dozens of federal climate funding opportunities and concludes that a lack acknowledgement of a Tribal nation’s sovereignty severely impacts access to climate adaptation financial resources. Efforts by some federal agencies to redefine what constitutes an “Indian tribe” in certain programs calls into question the bureaucratic structures that typically determine which Indigenous Peoples can and should be acknowledged by the U.S. government. Adjustments to federal recognition procedures for Indigenous Peoples may be necessary to ensure justice and equity in adapting to climate change.
This article checks the performance of the fashion companies in South Brazil relative to the incorporation of actions within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study adopts a quantitative approach of descriptive character, based on the Survey Method, applied to companies in one of the main fashion producing regions in Brazil. It was possible to ensure that the best performance of companies was achieved in gender equality and decent work and economic growth, with good and excellent performance, respectively. However, the performance of the companies in consumption and responsible production (SDG 12) and fight against climate change (SDG 13) were classified within the poor performance category. What demonstrates that the companies act unevenly in the different SDGs surveyed. Therefore, it is necessary to create a more global view of actions to compensate for their weaknesses, and as a consequence improve their sustainability. The negative performance is worrying because changes in production systems are urgent as pollution levels have increased on the planet. This study contributes with a data collection instrument that can be replicated in other fashion companies in different social, economic and cultural contexts.
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (EMSD) would like to thank the following reviewers for reviewing manuscripts from May 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Many authors, regardless of whether EMSD publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Macrothink Institute appreciates the following reviewers’ rigorous and conscientious efforts for this journal. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review during this period. Dilek Kaya-Akyüzlü, Ankara University, TurkeyElham Mohamed, National Research Centre, EgyptFarahdilah Ghazali, University of Malaysia Terengganu, MalaysiaFarhaoui Mohamed, National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, MoroccoGandhi Escajadillo Toledo, Peruvian University of Applied Sciences, PeruGiacomo Chiesa, Politecnico di Torino, ItalyHengky Halim, Universiti Utara Malaysia, MalaysiaManuel Mendoza-Carranza, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), MexicoMohammad Aghababaei, Washington State University, USAMona M. Amin Abdel-Fatah, National Research Center in Egypt, EgyptOylum Gokkurt Baki, Sinop University, TurkeyXiu Wu, Texas State University, USA
This study assesses the state of play of renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of the Ghana renewable energy sub-sector. Adopting a sector diagnostic approach, the study assesses the legal framework, institutional arrangements, emerging developments, and challenges of renewable energy development in Ghana. The study further prescribes key renewable policy instruments necessary to propel Ghana to achieve its 10% renewable energy target by 2030. Recommended amendments for the Renewable Energy Act are also proffered in this paper. The study provides innovative directions for policymakers and regulators while revealing new perspectives to the renewable energy puzzle in Africa.
Ecosystem structure and function depends on the local and regional species pools, climate, geology, and type and frequency of disturbances. Tropical rain forests have long been growing in relatively stable climatic conditions and little disturbances until recent decades, when large-scale of land conversion into croplands and forest impacts by selective logging activities and forest fires have been more frequently observed. Selective logging causes forest degradation, which requires a rigorous monitoring system to control and mitigate forest impacts and recovery. Overtime forest disturbances and recovery can be estimated by using vegetation indices derived from remotely sensed data that enable us to distinguish disturbed from undisturbed forests and estimate the degree of those disturbances. This study aimed to assess the suitability of the Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI) to detect selectively logged forests and estimate the forest recovery structure in a study site in the state of Pará, Eastern Amazon region. We retrieved the MSAVI from Landsat imagery to assess forest impacts by selective logging before and after logging. The estimated MSAVI index before and after logging activities were significantly different and enabled us to distinguish forest recovery structures after selective logging in the study site. Our methodological approach can be used to monitor selective logging activities and support planning of Sustainable Forest Management in tropical regions.
