The used vehicle market has increasingly been recognised as a critical component in advancing sustainability objectives, particularly within the framework of a circular economy. In this study, a comprehensive assessment of the Italian used car sector has been conducted, with emphasis placed on its economic viability, environmental implications, and role in promoting resource efficiency through extended product life cycles. Economic indicators demonstrate that the reuse of vehicles not only reduces material waste and energy consumption associated with new car production, but also enhances accessibility and cost-effectiveness for consumers. To quantify the reliability of used vehicles and support informed decision-making among stakeholders, a predictive model was developed employing a dataset comprising over 100,000 pre-owned vehicles. Reliability was evaluated through the estimation of the Percentage of Residual Life (PRL), derived using a hybrid approach that integrates Weibull distribution-based survival analysis with multivariate regression techniques, calibrated against vehicle age and mileage. This modelling framework enables the estimation of remaining service life with high granularity, offering a standardised metric to assess vehicle longevity and performance risk. The integration of economic and reliability analyses provides a multidimensional understanding of the market, addressing both financial sustainability and operational dependability. Through this dual approach, a pathway has been proposed for enhancing the transparency, sustainability, and efficiency of used vehicle transactions in Italy. The findings are intended to inform policymakers, manufacturers, and consumers by highlighting the strategic potential of second-hand vehicles in reducing lifecycle emissions and promoting circularity in the automotive industry. Broader implications for sustainable transport policy, second-hand asset valuation, and market regulation are also discussed, situating the Italian used car market as a replicable model for sustainable vehicle ecosystem management in Europe and beyond.
This study investigates the features of regional development within the Blue Economy system, focusing on sustainable growth and resilience in coastal regions. The Blue Economy emphasizes the sustainable and equitable use of marine resources, requiring a development model that integrates economic, ecological, and social dimensions. This research explores how regional development under the Blue Economy can be understood, assessed, and supported through analytical tools. Using a multi-step tool that combines interquartile range (IQR) analysis, clustering methods, and z-score normalization, representative coastal economies are identified to provide insights into the stability, specialization, and economic efficiency of the Blue Economy. Additionally, a radar chart tool is introduced to assess and visualize the region’s profiles, offering an accessible means for planning by highlighting economic strengths, vulnerabilities, and sectoral dependencies. The findings emphasize the need for a balanced development approach tailored to each region’s socio-economic and ecological context to foster resilience and sustainability. Further enhancements to these tools are proposed, including incorporating additional socio-economic and ecological indicators, to broaden their applicability for comprehensive assessments of the development of the regions in the Blue Economy system. This research thus provides valuable tools for stakeholders to monitor and strengthen the economic health of coastal regions, supporting sustainable regional development within the Blue Economy.
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has become increasingly significant in Ecuador, contributing to rural employment and economic stability. However, its environmental consequences, particularly those related to illegal mining and the discharge of untreated waste into water bodies, have raised concerns regarding water quality deterioration. The present study investigates heavy metal contamination in six rivers (Siete, Pagua, Fermín, Villa, Guanache, and 9 de Octubre) within the Ponce Enríquez mining district, where elevated concentrations of heavy metals have been detected. To facilitate the development of effective remediation strategies, an integrated statistical analysis was conducted to elucidate the relationships between pollutants and their potential sources. The methodology encompassed (i) an extensive review of water quality data, (ii) a statistical correlation analysis of predominant heavy metals, and (iii) an evaluation of environmental management approaches. The findings indicate that the Villa, Siete, Fermín, and Guanache rivers exhibit particularly high concentrations of aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), with contamination levels intensifying during the wet season due to runoff and the influence of the geological composition of the study area. Strong positive correlations (r>0.8) were observed between Fe-Pb, Fe-Al, and Pb-Al in both dry and wet seasons, suggesting that mining activities, mineralogical characteristics of the region, and agricultural runoff contribute to heavy metal accumulation. Based on these findings, sustainable remediation techniques are proposed to mitigate contamination and enhance water quality. The implementation of these measures is expected to facilitate the gradual improvement of riverine ecosystems while promoting economic diversification within the Ponce Enríquez mining district.
This study investigates the relationship between municipal management and sustainable tourism in an urban protected area, specifically the Los Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge in Lima, Peru. The research adopts a quantitative, correlational, non-experimental, cross-sectional design, focusing on a sample of 67 employees from the Municipal Authority. A probabilistic sampling technique was employed to select the sample from a population of 80 workers. Data were collected through two separate questionnaires, each tailored to measure one of the key variables, with responses recorded on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. The study area, Los Pantanos de Villa, is an urban protected area situated in a densely populated region where challenges such as pollution, waste management, and urban sprawl exert significant pressure on environmental sustainability. Findings revealed that 88.06% of respondents assessed municipal management in the protected area as "good," while 76.12% rated sustainable tourism positively. Statistical analysis revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.590, with a p-value of 0.000, indicating a significant positive correlation between effective municipal management and the promotion of sustainable tourism. These results emphasize the crucial role of municipal governance in enhancing both environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism development within urban protected areas. Effective management practices can contribute to balancing the dual objectives of ecological conservation and urban development, thereby fostering a sustainable tourism model in highly urbanised contexts. This study underscores the importance of governance frameworks in mitigating urban pressures and advancing sustainability in Natural Protected Area (NPA).
This study investigates the extent to which renewable energy adoption contributes to achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through enhanced sustainability practices. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing data collected from 467 administrative personnel across 43 SMEs operating in diverse industries to ensure representativeness. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using SmartPLS 4 to examine both the direct and indirect effects of renewable energy adoption on corporate sustainability practices and its subsequent impact on long-term competitiveness. The findings indicate that integrating renewable energy into business operations significantly strengthens sustainable competitive advantage by improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing corporate reputation. Furthermore, the results highlight the role of renewable energy adoption in reinforcing sustainability initiatives, thereby aligning environmental stewardship with strategic business objectives. These insights provide valuable implications for SMEs seeking to enhance market positioning through sustainability-driven strategies. Additionally, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on corporate sustainability and strategic management by elucidating the mechanisms through which renewable energy facilitates long-term competitive positioning. Practical recommendations are offered to policymakers and business leaders to support the effective implementation of sustainability initiatives within the SME sector.
The increasing pace of urbanization has heightened the need for urban systems that are both sustainable and resilient. While extensive research has been conducted on these two concepts, the interplay between them remains insufficiently explored. In particular, sustainability is often associated with efficiency—maximizing resource utilization—whereas resilience emphasizes redundancy, ensuring the presence of backup systems to mitigate risks. To address this critical gap, a comprehensive framework is proposed that integrates these dual objectives within urban land-use planning. Geospatial technologies and multi-criteria decision analysis are employed to systematically assess the balance between efficiency and redundancy in urban environments. A machine learning (ML)-based classification of land use and built-up area changes, combined with demographic and infrastructural data, is utilized to quantify these factors. The proposed approach provides urban planners and policymakers with an adaptable decision-making tool, enabling context-specific prioritization of efficiency or redundancy based on local requirements. In high-density urban areas experiencing rapid expansion, efficiency is emphasized to optimize land and resource use, whereas in regions vulnerable to environmental hazards, redundancy is strategically incorporated to enhance resilience without undermining overall urban functionality. The flexibility of this method offers a significant advantage over rigid, predefined planning policies that may not be suited to specific urban contexts. By facilitating informed decision-making, the framework enhances risk management, optimizes resource allocation, and supports the development of customized urban strategies, ultimately improving long-term urban performance under diverse developmental scenarios.
This study examines the relationship between the blue economy and food security in lower-middle-income ASEAN countries, specifically Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, over the period 2012–2022. While the blue economy holds significant potential for enhancing food security, its implementation is often hindered by environmental degradation, limited access to renewable energy, inadequate technological advancements, insufficient investment, and rapid population growth. By employing Ordinary Least Squares regression and a system of simultaneous equations, key interactions among environmental quality, renewable energy utilization, technological innovation, investment, and demographic dynamics are analyzed. The findings reveal that improvements in environmental quality foster the adoption of renewable energy, while technological advancements significantly contribute to the expansion of the blue economy. Furthermore, the development of the blue economy is identified as a critical driver of food security, with investment and effective population management playing essential roles in ensuring its long-term sustainability. The results indicate that a comprehensive strategy integrating environmental protection, technological progress, and renewable energy adoption is essential for enhancing food security through the blue economy. Based on these insights, policy recommendations are proposed, emphasizing the need for stringent emission controls, increased investment in renewable energy, promotion of technological innovation, and sustainable demographic policies. These measures are expected to facilitate a resilient blue economy, ensuring food security and long-term socio-economic stability in ASEAN’s lower-middle-income nations.
With the increasing global emphasis on sustainability, understanding the factors influencing tourists’ green travel intentions (GTI) has become a crucial area of research. This study examines the determinants of GTI, with a particular focus on environmental attitudes (ATE), subjective norms (SN), environmental concerns (EC), environmental knowledge (EK), and green marketing strategies (GM). The green marketing framework is further delineated into green services (GPR), green advertising (GPM), green distribution (GPL), and green pricing (GPC). A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured survey administered to 600 tourists in Vietnam through convenience sampling. The findings reveal that both ATE and GM exert a significant influence on GTI. Moreover, ATE mediates the effects of GM, EC, and EK on GTI, highlighting its central role in shaping pro-environmental travel behavior. Additionally, SN is identified as a moderating factor in the relationship between ATE and GTI, indicating that societal influences reinforce the impact of individual ATE on green travel choices. These findings provide theoretical contributions by advancing the understanding of psychological and marketing-driven influences on sustainable tourism behavior. From a practical perspective, the results underscore the importance of well-structured green marketing initiatives in fostering environmentally responsible travel behavior. Tourism industry stakeholders are encouraged to integrate comprehensive GM that enhance environmental awareness and promote sustainable tourism practices. Future research directions are also proposed, including the examination of longitudinal behavioral changes and cross-cultural validations.
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