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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 bimonthly by Acadlore, releasing six issues per year in February, April, June, August, October, 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
The Impact of Globalization on the Strategic Management Sustainability of the Venture Capital Industry
mustafa jaber ,
abdel-aziz ahmad sharabati ,
ahmad yacoub nasereddin ,
ra'ed masa'deh
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Available online: 01-11-2026

Abstract

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This single case study examined how globalization shaped the sustainability of strategic management in Tazweed Venture Capital in Jordan. Qualitative evidence from six senior managers, triangulated with secondary sources, identified three dominant challenges: economic (47%; including competitiveness, regulation, and supply chains), environmental (25%; including waste management, degradation, and energy), and socio‑cultural (28%; including language and time‑zone frictions, regulatory diversity, and supplier alignment). In addition, the current study identified three opportunity clusters led by culture and society (45%; including partnerships, reputation, and innovation), followed by environment (30%; including renewable integration and footprint reduction) and economic (25%; including cost efficiencies and market expansion). Based on these findings, the study recommended (1) institutionalizing supplier sustainability due diligence and traceability; (2) adopting location‑specific practices with measurable targets; (3) embedding cross‑functional governance linked to key performance indicators; (4) leveraging partnerships and blended finance for renewables and circularity; and (5) formalizing risk‑based Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) materiality screens for cross‑border operations. The contribution is a practice‑oriented framework that connects globalization pressures to sustainability initiatives and outcomes for venture capital actors in emerging economies.

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The construction and real estate industry has been held responsible for nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions, a key focus for gathering efforts to combat climate change. Timber, a sustainable and carbon-storing building material, unravels significant potential to decarbonize the sector by replacing carbon-intensive materials such as steel and concrete. However, the full potential of timber remains underutilized, owing to a lack of knowledge, transparency, and investment opportunities in the forestry and timber industries. This paper addressed this gap by developing a comprehensive framework for investors to evaluate listed companies in the timber construction sector, based on their sustainability and financial performance. Specifically, the study sought to answer: How can investors effectively channel capital into the carbon storage capacity of timber, and what approaches are both sustainable and economically viable for timber investments? To achieve this, this paper examined how investors could invest in the CO2 storage capacity of timber, with a particular focus on the creation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Timber Score to evaluate the sustainability of listed companies in the sector. By integrating sustainability and financial performance metrics, this study provided a robust framework that enabled investors to assess both the economic and environmental aspects of their investments. The findings revealed investment opportunities in both traditional markets (North America and Europe) and emerging markets (Asia and Africa). The current study emphasizes that investment decisions, if probable, should be tailored to individual preferences to achieve different levels of sustainability and financial goals.

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This paper investigated how trade openness and income inequality jointly shaped carbon outcomes using a panel of 94 countries from 1966 to 2015. On average, greater openness and lower inequality are associated with reduced CO2 emissions; however, their interaction is proved to be positive, suggesting that while trade openness could contribute to lower carbon emissions in relatively equal societies, its benefits diminished and even reversed under high inequality. In addition, heterogeneity analyses revealed stronger elasticities in non-high-income and high-openness subsamples, a statistically significant inequality threshold and effects that intensify at upper CO2 quantiles. Therefore, policy packages that pair trade facilitation with inequality compression and clean-technology diffusion are likely to be most effective, particularly where inequality and openness are already high. Future research should extend the analysis to consumption-based emissions, sectoral pathways, and institutional moderators to refine the trade-inequality-carbon nexus and its implications for environmental sustainability.
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.
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