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Challenges in Sustainability
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Challenges in Sustainability (CiS)
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ISSN (online): 2297-6477
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2026: Vol. 14
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Challenges in Sustainability (CiS) is a peer-reviewed open-access journal dedicated to advancing research on sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The journal provides a scholarly platform for studies that investigate the drivers, impacts, and solutions related to global sustainability challenges in both developed and developing contexts. CiS encourages conceptual, empirical, and policy-focused contributions that address climate resilience, resource management, sustainable technologies, social equity, and responsible governance. The journal values interdisciplinary approaches that integrate scientific evidence with policy and practice to support sustainability transitions and long-term societal well-being. Committed to research integrity, rigorous peer-review, and timely knowledge dissemination, CiS is published quarterly by Acadlore, with issues released in March, June, September, and December.

  • Professional Editorial Standards - Every submission undergoes a rigorous and well-structured peer-review and editorial process, ensuring integrity, fairness, and adherence to the highest publication standards.

  • Efficient Publication - Streamlined review, editing, and production workflows enable the timely publication of accepted articles while ensuring scientific quality and reliability.

  • Gold Open Access - All articles are freely and immediately accessible worldwide, maximizing visibility, dissemination, and research impact.

Editor(s)-in-chief（1）
katie kish
Shannon School of Business, Cape Breton University, Canada
kate_kish@cbu.ca; katiekish@gmail.com | website
Research interests: Ecological Footprint; Complexity Thinking; Ecological Economics

Aims & Scope

Aims

Challenges in Sustainability (CiS) is an international peer-reviewed open-access journal dedicated to advancing research on sustainability from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. The journal serves as a platform for high-quality studies that examine global sustainability challenges, resilience strategies, and pathways for driving a just and sustainable transition.

CiS aims to foster interdisciplinary scholarship that connects scientific analysis, sustainable technologies, governance frameworks, and behavioral transformation. The journal welcomes conceptual, empirical, and applied contributions addressing issues such as climate adaptation and mitigation, circular resource management, clean energy development, social inclusion, and sustainable policy-making in diverse geographical contexts.

Through its strong commitment to bridging academic insights with practical solutions, CiS promotes rigorous research that supports evidence-based decision-making and informs sustainable development practices. The journal particularly values contributions that provide actionable models, evaluation frameworks, sustainability assessment tools, and policy-relevant strategies to enhance societal well-being and long-term ecological integrity.

Key features of CiS include:

  • A strong emphasis on sustainability research that integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions;

  • Support for interdisciplinary approaches linking scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and governance mechanisms;

  • Encouragement of contributions that evaluate sustainability performance and inform policy and practical decision-making;

  • Promotion of insights that advance resilience, resource efficiency, social inclusion, and long-term ecological integrity;

  • A commitment to rigorous peer-review standards, research ethics, and responsible dissemination of open-access knowledge.

Scope

The scope of CiS encompasses a broad range of subjects, providing an in-depth and comprehensive investigation into issues related to sustainability:

  • Climate Resilience and Adaptation: Advanced research on strategies to enhance the resilience of communities, ecosystems, and economies to climate variability and change.

  • Circular Economy and Waste Reduction: Studies focusing on the principles of circular economy, waste management practices, and strategies for reducing waste generation across different sectors.

  • Renewable Energy Technologies and Systems: Innovative research on the development, integration, and optimization of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy.

  • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Investigations into sustainable farming practices, food systems planning, and the role of agriculture in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

  • Water Resources Management: Comprehensive research on sustainable water use, watershed management, and strategies to address water scarcity and quality issues.

  • Sustainable Transportation and Mobility: Exploration of sustainable transportation solutions, including electric and alternative fuel vehicles, public transportation systems, and urban mobility planning.

  • Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Planning: Studies on the design and implementation of green infrastructure, sustainable building technologies, and urban planning approaches that contribute to sustainable urban development.

  • Social Sustainability and Equity: Research on social aspects of sustainability, including social equity, community engagement, and the intersection of social justice with environmental sustainability.

  • Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility: Analysis of corporate practices in sustainability, including sustainability reporting, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and sustainable business models.

  • Technology for Sustainability: Examination of the role of technology in promoting sustainability, including information and communication technologies (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics in environmental monitoring and sustainability assessments.

  • Environmental Policy and Governance: Evaluation of policy frameworks, governance mechanisms, and international agreements that facilitate sustainable development goals.

  • Sustainability Education and Literacy: Studies on the integration of sustainability into education systems, development of sustainability curricula, and promotion of environmental literacy.

  • Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services: Research on the conservation of biodiversity, restoration of ecosystems, and valuation of ecosystem services.

  • Health and Well-being in the Context of Sustainability: Explorations of the connections between environmental sustainability and public health, including studies on pollution, environmental justice, and access to green spaces.

Articles
Recent Articles
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Open Access
Research article
Optimizing Resource Utilization in Industrial Symbiosis: A DEMATEL and FAHP Approach for Sustainable Manufacturing
Juan Carlos Muyulema-Allaica ,
jaqueline elizabeth balseca-castro ,
francisco xavier aguirre-flores ,
paola martina pucha-medina
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Available online: 12-22-2025

Abstract

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Industrial symbiosis (IS) represents a strategic framework for collaboration among companies through innovative partnerships, which aimed at optimizing resource utilization, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable development in line with the principles of circular economy. This study conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) and a quantitative analysis of the effectiveness of IS tools in resource management. Publications from January 2020 to December 2024 were retrieved from the established databases such as SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and DOAJ, with a focus on industrial engineering, environmental management, circular economy, sustainable development, resource conservation, and recycling. Advanced methodologies including the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) were applied to evaluate four key dimensions, i.e., Decision-Making (DMD), Geographical Location (GLD), Strategic Planning (SD), and Lean Manufacturing (LMD), along with 21 subcriteria. The results indicated that DMD and GLD functioned as causal dimensions influencing SD and LMD, while alternatives such as Intelligent Waste Recycling Systems (IWRS) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) were considered to be highly efficient in resource utilization. The identification of dominant relationships via the threshold value of α = 0.58 highlighted strategic leverage points for implementing sustainable manufacturing practices. These findings emphasize that effective DMD, combined with strategic planning based on geographical considerations and application of technological tools, is critical for optimizing resources, enhancing environmental protection, and fostering economic and social development, thus providing clear guidance for the implementation of IS strategies in industrial settings.

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Recent literature has explored the nexus between macroeconomic policy uncertainty (MPU) and the environment in compliance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study contributes to the literature by exploring the possible or negative environmental effects of MPU. The present study reviewed 117 research articles published from 2020 to 2025 to understand the multifaceted association between MPU and environmental sustainability, having considered sectoral and spatial dynamics, asymmetric responses, and heterogeneous responses from different countries and regions. The findings suggested that the relationship was complex, and varied upon the economic sector, emissions source, policy regime, and geographical location. MPU reduced the speed of transition from the first to the second phase of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). In the short run, MPU can reduce emissions due to temporary economic slowdowns. Nevertheless, it can be responsible for negative long-term environmental performance by delaying green investments, increasing fossil fuel reliance, and weakening institutional effectiveness. Sectoral analyses revealed that MPU raised emissions in the energy and industrial sectors and reduced them in the agricultural sector. While strong institutional quality helped to mitigate emissions, weak institutions raised environmental problems. The findings of this review suggested that policymakers should design adaptive, sector-sensitive, and regionally coordinated environmental strategies to protect the environment from macroeconomic policy volatility.

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In recent years, humanitarian logistics have received much attention from practitioners and researchers due to the significant damage from natural disasters on a global scale. This case study investigated the potential of leveraging social media data to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian logistics in Vietnam after the disaster caused by Typhoon Yagi. The research examined public sentiment about the disaster response efforts, pinpointed the needs of critical relief, and assessed the performance of various machine learning models in classifying disaster-related content on social media. Data was sourced from multiple platforms, preprocessed and then categorized according to the damage types, required relief supplies, and sentiment labels. After that, different machine learning models were utilized to analyze the negative impact of the disaster. The analysis revealed that housing and transportation were the primary sources of negative public sentiment, indicating significant unmet needs in these areas. In contrast, generally more positive responses were received in relation to cash assistance, food, and medical support. A comparative evaluation of 12 machine learning models suggested that conventional algorithms, such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Logistic Regression, outperformed deep learning models in sentiment classification tasks. These findings shed light on the value of social media as a real-time indicator of public perception and logistical effectiveness. Therefore, incorporating sentiment analysis into the planning of disaster response can support more adaptive, timely, and community-informed decision-making for governments and humanitarian organizations.

Open Access
Research article
Sustainable Accounting Transformation Through Cloud Technologies: Evidence from Romania
laura nicola-gavrilă ,
anca-mădălina bogdan ,
gabriela-mihaela cocoșilă
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Available online: 12-09-2025

Abstract

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This study investigates how cloud accounting technologies contribute to the sustainable transformation of business management in Romania. It aims to assess the relationship between digitalization and sustainability by examining how cloud-based systems enhance financial transparency, operational efficiency, and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in accounting practices. The research applies a multi-utility global method (MUGM) framework to evaluate sustainability-oriented accounting practices across multiple economic sectors, including IT, automotive, energy, and food industries. Data were collected through structured surveys and expert validation to determine sector-specific performance scores. The analysis integrates both subjective assessments and objective indicators, such as reductions in paper usage, cost efficiency, and reporting timeliness—to evaluate sustainability outcomes and potential biases. The results reveal significant sectoral variation in the adoption and sustainability impact of cloud accounting. The IT and automotive sectors lead in digital integration and ESG-oriented financial reporting, while the energy and food industries demonstrate moderate progress constrained by regulatory and investment limitations. Cloud technologies are shown to facilitate improved ESG data management, enhance corporate accountability, and support the EU twin transition, the simultaneous pursuit of digitalization and sustainability. This research extends sustainability accounting literature by positioning cloud computing as a driver of responsible corporate governance and ESG transparency. It bridges the gap between digital transformation and sustainability by demonstrating how intelligent technologies can operationalize sustainability objectives in financial management and reporting.

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Under the influence of technological advancement, digitalisation, and mobile networks, sharing has gained a new dimension in the contemporary era. In the context of rising consumption and economic pressures, the sharing economy has emerged as a global model to promote efficient utilization of limited resources. Recent controversies have questioned how sharing city practices are integrated into urban space and whether they enable the equitable use of underutilised areas. In this context, the “sharing city” approach has been adopted in many cities worldwide. This study explored how sharing practices shaped urban spaces and examined the role of city governments in this process. The research was designed in two stages. First, a systematic review of the Scopus database selected 499 publications from 2016 to early 2025, of which 61 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed to understand the spatial and social impacts of sharing city practices. Second, twelve global cities that adopted sharing city strategies were compared in terms of policy orientation and roles of governance. The analysis demonstrated that the sharing economy produced both enabling and constraining effects on cities, particularly in housing, mobility, and public space. City governments employing a range of regulatory, incentive-based, and partnership-oriented instruments assume different roles, depending on local urban characteristics. By combining insights from the literature and cross-case analysis, the study developed a governance framework that linked municipal roles to specific sharing domains and highlighted areas where equity and data governance remained weak. The findings provide practical guidance for municipalities seeking to balance innovation with regulation, thus offering implementable tools to integrate sharing practices into sustainable urban planning.
Open Access
Research article
Toward Sustainable Energy Consumption: Identifying Barriers to Household Adoption of Photovoltaic Solar Technology
tuan duong vu ,
phuong thao vu ,
hoang nam nguyen ,
thu ha nguyen
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Available online: 11-30-2025

Abstract

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The key target of developing renewable energy systems is critical for countries to combat the impact of climate change and bolster energy security. Among the many available green powers, solar energy generation has been developed worldwide. The exponential acceleration of this technology has stimulated household customers in particular, to switch from the role of consumers to suppliers by selling electricity generated from their home panels. It is anticipated that this change would form a new business model for electricity sales and promote a sustainable energy supply chain, yet the change is still confined to a certain extent in developing markets. In this light, this study identified and evaluated the impact of seven barriers on the household intention to adopt photovoltaic (PV) solar systems. The results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, based on the data from 288 households in Vietnam, revealed that six barriers, namely uncertain government policies, financial barriers, brand trust barriers, product knowledge barriers, location-based barriers and technical barriers had significant negative impacts on PV adoption intention, while the hypothesized influence of environmental knowledge barriers on this intention was insignificant. Among the validated barriers, uncertain government policies and financial barriers were the most critical factors hindering the household intention to adopt PV solar systems. Notably, while rural surveyed households had the higher means in adoption intentions, technical barriers and financial barriers, their results in location-based barriers and brand trust barriers were lower than the urban ones. Theoretically, this study contributed to expansion of pro-environmental behavior theory and barriers to adoption intention of household consumers. Besides, the findings of this study suggested policy makers, enterprises and technology providers how to promote household adoption thanks to the raised awareness of which barriers are concerned in Vietnam market.
Open Access
Research article
Plants for a Resilient City: The “Climate-Friendly Parks” Experiment in Reggio Emilia
federico zanardi ,
giulia santunione ,
francesca despini ,
elisabetta sgarbi
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Available online: 11-20-2025

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Overurbanization poses environmental challenges that threaten human health and biodiversity. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) enhance urban livability, restore biodiversity, and provide vital Ecosystem Services (ES), such as mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This study evaluates environmental monitoring at Marco Biagi Park (Reggio Emilia, Italy) as part of the Life City AdapT3 project. Following the introduction of micro-forests, rural edges, tree rows, and a wetland, data were collected to assess local climate mitigation and carbon storage. Microclimatic effects were analyzed using satellite images (Landsat 8) and on-site measurements. Between 2021-2024, summer Land Surface Temperature (LST) decreased in post-intervention period by 2.1℃. Air temperature in urban forest areas averaged 1.2℃ lower, while humidity increased by 10% compared to built-up areas. Using the i-Tree model, it was estimated that Marco Biagi Park stored 332.20 kg of carbon in 2024 and 825.20 kg in 2025—representing a 148.4% increase in just one year. Species of the Quercus genus, Prunus avium and Tilia platyphyllos contributed 58.26% to this carbon storage in 2025. Findings highlight NBS effectiveness in improving urban microclimates and carbon sequestration, reinforcing their role in sustainable city planning.

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Urban air pollution remains a persistent challenge in the Global South, where rapid urbanization, limited monitoring infrastructure, and weak regulatory frameworks hinder effective environmental governance. In Lima, Peru—one of the most polluted capitals in Latin America—elevated PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations continue to pose serious threats to public health and sustainable urban development. Traditional Air Quality Index (AQIs), such as the U.S. EPA standard, often struggle to account for data uncertainty, pollutant interactions, and spatial heterogeneity. To address these gaps, this study introduces a novel AQI based on grey systems theory, applying a grey clustering framework enhanced with center-point triangular whitenization weight functions (CTWF). The model was specifically designed to handle ambiguous data and overlapping pollution categories. It was applied to daily PM2.5 and PM10 data from nine monitoring stations across metropolitan Lima, with validation conducted against both Peru’s national air quality standards and the U.S. EPA AQI. Results showed that the proposed index outperformed conventional methods under uncertain conditions, revealing critical spatial disparities often missed by traditional models. Beyond diagnostic accuracy, the index offers a scalable and transferable tool for urban planners and decision-makers to support targeted interventions, inform policy development, and advance Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
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