Current Research in Environmental Sustainability最新文献

{"title":"From experience to action: Correlates of Lithuanian citizens' engagement in climate adaptation","authors":"Aiste Dirzyte ,&nbsp;Aelita Skaržauskienė ,&nbsp;Aleksandras Patapas","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100335","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100335","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Climate adaptation requires action at institutional and individual levels. Citizens' engagement differs widely across sociocultural and geographic contexts and remains under-researched.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The purpose of the study was to examine correlates of Lithuanian adults' adaptation actions, using a nationally representative survey adapted from Brink and Wamsler's instrument (2019) in Sweden.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were collected via face-to-face interviews in Lithuania (October–November 2023; <em>N</em> = 1013). Measures included climate-related hazard experience (recent 5 years and lifetime), climate change concern (single item), cultural worldviews, adaptation motivation, and self-reported adaptation actions. We tested measurement structure with CFA, used Independent-samples <em>t</em>-tests for group differences (gender; hazard experience), and estimated multivariate associations using multiple regression and an exploratory SEM summarizing hazard experience–concern–action associations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Independent samples' <em>t-</em>test showed that individuals with prior climate-related hazard experiences (<em>n</em> = 259, 26%) in comparison to individuals who have never experienced a climate-related hazard (<em>n</em> = 754, 74%), scored overall higher on climate change concern, motivation to adapt, and adaptation actions (<em>p</em> &lt; .001). Women reported slightly higher climate concern than men (d = 0.17), while men reported slightly more technical actions (d = 0.22). Using exploratory structural equation modeling (SEM), it was found that recent hazard experience showed the strongest association with adaptation actions in multivariate models (standardized β ≈ 0.30, <em>p</em> &lt; .001), while concern showed a small association with actions when considered alongside experience and motivation (standardized β ≈ 0.08–0.12).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In Lithuania, recent lived experience with climate-related hazards and stronger motivation are robust correlates of adaptation actions, whereas climate concern alone is a comparatively weak correlate once other factors are considered. The findings are correlational and should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of causal direction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100335"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global pesticide use scenarios up to 2050 along the shared socio-economic pathways","authors":"Poornima Nagesh ,&nbsp;Oreane Y. Edelenbosch ,&nbsp;Arthur H.W. Beusen ,&nbsp;Stefan C. Dekker ,&nbsp;Christoph Krüger ,&nbsp;Hugo J. de Boer ,&nbsp;Jonathan C. Doelman ,&nbsp;Alexander F. Bouwman ,&nbsp;Detlef P. van Vuuren","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pesticide use has significant advantages in modern agricultural production. However, it can negatively impact human health and ecosystems. Yet, no scenarios exist for possible future pesticide use. We fill this knowledge gap by developing global pesticide use scenarios following the storylines of four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) for six crop types and two pesticides, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. The global pesticide use scenarios are developed by combining map-based pesticide application rates from the PEST-CHEMGRIDS database with crop harvested area projections from the IMAGE 3.3 integrated assessment model. Crop-specific pesticide use maps identify China, South America, Africa, the USA, and South Asia as future hotspots of pesticide use. Pesticide use increases in SSP2 and SSP3, ranging from 5.2 to 6.5 million tonnes for vegetables and fruits in 2050. Glyphosate use shows an upsurge in SSP2 and SSP3 across global regions, while overall chlorpyrifos use decreases in SSP3, except in some regions. SSP1 shows a reduction in pesticide use by 2050 for certain crops, ranging from −40% for rice to −8% for vegetables and fruits, due to higher environmental regulation, awareness, and technology acceptance, thereby leading to lower pesticide application. Combining SSP1 with the implementation of the low-meat Eat-Lancet diet leads to a reduction in global pesticide use in feed crops such as maize (5.6%↘), wheat (18.9%↘), rice (52.6%↘), soybeans (23.5%↘), and other crops (17.8%↘). These results show that transitioning away from a meat-intensive diet and reducing food waste can reduce pesticide use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100358"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From climate experience to public policy support: Insights from 15 African countries","authors":"Perez L. Kemeni Kambiet,&nbsp;Victor Ongoma,&nbsp;Ernest L. Molua,&nbsp;Soumia Achli,&nbsp;Adan L. Martinez-Cruz,&nbsp;Tarik Chfadi,&nbsp;Hachim El Ayoubi,&nbsp;Abdelghani Chehbouni","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100367","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Achieving public support is crucial for the successful and sustained implementation of climate policies. Yet, the factors driving public support remain underexplored in developing countries. This study investigates the role of climate perception, its drivers, and their association with public support for climate policies in Africa. Using regression estimation approaches on a large multi-dimensional dataset from 15 diverse countries, we find that perception operates through segmented, heterogeneous pathways to drive public climate policy support. Results show that prior climate extremes experiences and perceived community action are the most consistent drivers of both perception and public support. The findings also uncover an experiential gap and highlight how the dual mechanism that links concern and perception drivers to policy support breaks down for populations with no direct climate extremes experience. Furthermore, results show a non-linear relationship between vulnerability knowledge, climate perception, and public support, suggesting its effect can either accelerate or deter perception depending on the level of climate extreme experiences. By highlighting the specific mechanisms through which perception influences action, our findings offer valuable insights for the design and communication of more effective, targeted, and community-led climate policies in African countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100367"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148501522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing urban resilience: A systematic review on the multifaceted benefits of urban green spaces in the context of a changing climate","authors":"Amogne Asfaw Eshetu,&nbsp;Abebe Arega Mekonnen","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100370","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100370","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban green spaces (UGS) are increasingly recognized as vital nature-based solutions for enhancing urban resilience, yet their multifunctional contributions remain insufficiently synthesized. This review synthesizes a total of <strong>71</strong> peer-reviewed studies that were identified through the PRISMA framework and synthesized thematically. The review demonstrates that UGS improve air quality, mitigate urban heat, enhance biodiversity, promote physical and mental health, strengthen social cohesion, and generate economic benefits. The findings underscore the need to mainstream UGS into urban planning and climate adaptation policies. By explicitly linking the identified gaps with practical solutions, this review provides actionable guidance for policymakers and urban planners.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100370"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148642671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the feasibility and usefulness of a digital twin in the valorization of organic waste streams in Uganda","authors":"Esther Ronner ,&nbsp;Oana Butuc ,&nbsp;Gerrie van de Ven ,&nbsp;Petronella Margaretha Slegers","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100354","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100354","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Valorization of organic waste streams receives growing attention to improve resource efficiency and support a circular economy. One potential valorization option is converting organic waste into biofertilizers, but logistical challenges around waste availability, consistency and transportation hinder its potential. Digital twins—virtual models integrating real-time data—could enhance decision-making for waste valorization, but their application remains limited to data intensive, controlled environments. In this exploratory study we applied the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability framework and an infological approach to assess stakeholder perspectives and feasibility of the digital twin concept in a relatively complex and data-scarce environment: the valorization of organic waste in Uganda. Findings indicate that actors are Motivated to valorize waste for sustainability and economic benefits, but limited waste availability and predictive capacity to optimize the valorization process restrict Opportunities and Ability. Composting of wet coffee pulp with black soldier fly larvae emerged as a promising valorization case, in which a digital model could support decision-making towards improved yields of larvae and frass (output), based on amount, quality and the costs of different waste streams (input). Limited automation, data sharing and value creation make the development of a fully integrated digital twin unlikely in the near future. In the resource-constrained setting of our study, relatively simple digital models that can gradually be advanced based on technical feasibility, perceived importance of parameters and resources available are required instead. To ensure a successful implementation, a user-driven design approach focusing on practical decision-problems rather than on technological potential alone is key.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100354"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147850110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Barriers to responsible land tenure governance in advancing land degradation neutrality: Insights from Alawuha watershed of North Wello zone, Ethiopia","authors":"Getie Gebrie Eshetie ,&nbsp;Berhanu Kefale Alemie ,&nbsp;Abebe Mengaw Wubie","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100355","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding barriers to responsible land tenure governance (RLTG) is essential for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), particularly in the Alawuha Watershed, where land degradation threatens rural livelihoods. This study examines how institutional, procedural, and socio-demographic factors shape perceptions of RLTG and their implications for LDN using a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected from 373 rural households and complemented by focus group discussions and key informant interviews. An ordinal logistic regression model was applied to identify the influence of key governance-related variables on RLTG perceptions. The results indicate that institutional and governance factors significantly shape perceptions of RLTG. Higher awareness of land policies was strongly associated with positive governance perception (OR = 20.36, p &lt; 0.001). Similarly, transparency (OR = 20.18, p &lt; 0.001), decision-making effectiveness (OR = 19.82, p &lt; 0.001), tenure security (OR = 18.93, p &lt; 0.001), and community participation (OR = 18.20, p &lt; 0.001) increased the likelihood of favorable perceptions. Conversely, perceived corruption (OR = 0.07, p &lt; 0.001) and overlapping land rights (OR = 0.06, p &lt; 0.001) significantly reduced positive perceptions of governance. Qualitative findings corroborate these results, highlighting limited awareness, weak transparency, and low community engagement as key constraints undermining trust and governance effectiveness. The study provides evidence on RLTG within the LDN framework. Strengthening transparency, improving policy awareness, securing tenure rights, and enhancing participatory governance are critical for improving RLTG and advancing LDN outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100355"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A simple yet holistic approach for assessing systemic change in sectoral zero-carbon transitions: The case of electricity in Europe","authors":"Germán Bersalli ,&nbsp;David Gottheit ,&nbsp;Johan Lilliestam","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100342","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100342","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many countries are seeking to accelerate their transitions to a zero‑carbon energy system in line with their commitments under the Paris Agreement. In energy policy analysis, transition progress and policy success are often measured by trends in emissions and renewable energy deployment. While these outcome metrics are important, they provide limited insight into the broader systemic changes, as they overlook the underlying drivers and processes. Moreover, existing evaluation frameworks often lack theoretical grounding, leading to an incoherent set of indicators. Here, we assess transition progress from a system-change perspective by developing a theory-driven evaluation framework and applying it to the electricity sectors of four European transition “leaders”: the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Norway. Unlike existing frameworks, our approach is rooted in sustainability transitions literature, improving interpretability while maintaining a focused set of systemic change indicators. Our analysis reveals significant progress in scaling up renewables and phasing out carbon-intensive technologies. However, persistent challenges—particularly in electricity grid infrastructure and regulatory adaptation—continue to hinder full decarbonization, especially in the UK and Germany, which are not on track towards zero‑carbon power. The Norwegian and especially Danish electricity transitions are progressing well, not only in terms of emissions and technology deployment, but the underlying systemic measures make their transition policies credible. Our findings highlight the importance of including systemic metrics, going beyond emissions and renewables deployment metrics, and illustrate the feasibility of a “policy turn” in transition studies through forward-looking analytical tools.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100342"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fostering futures literacy of young people as a pathway to social innovation – A case study in a rural area in Germany","authors":"Stephanie Duchek","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100378","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100378","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the important role of social innovation in addressing complex societal and environmental challenges, limited knowledge exists regarding how individuals can be educated to contribute to social innovation. Questions remain as to how the necessary mindset and skills can be developed and how people can be motivated to actively engage in innovation processes. In this regard, fostering young people's futures literacy appears to be a promising approach and may provide a pathway towards social innovation. This paper theoretically examines learning mechanisms through which futures literacy can be developed and uses a descriptive case study in a rural area in Germany for illustration purposes. We introduce a two-part concept to foster futures literacy of young people consisting of a learning space outside school (<em>Factory for Futures</em>) and a target group-specific workshop concept (<em>Future Workshops</em>). In cooperation with two regional schools, the concept was tested with 62 pupils aged 15 to 21. The findings suggest that the combination of an authentic learning environment and co-creative workshops can promote key dimensions of futures literacy and strengthen young people's capacity to engage with and shape more sustainable regional futures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100378"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149043892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges of creating climate-friendly schools: How barriers develop out of organising processes at schools and prevent them from adopting transformative measures","authors":"Nina Liebhaber ,&nbsp;Melanie Frick ,&nbsp;Johanna Trummer ,&nbsp;Gerd Michelsen ,&nbsp;Lars Keller","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The urgency of cutting carbon emissions and the lagging implementation of transformative, climate-friendly measures has been firmly expressed by climate scientists. In this context, schools are called upon to organise processes which can lead to more climate-friendly schools. In search of solutions to this challenging task, high school students, teachers and the research team in the transdisciplinary project k.i.d.Z.21_aCtiOn2 sought to reduce carbon emissions in partner schools in Germany and Austria. The collaboration built on the young people having previously been involved in a climate change education programme which prepared them to become agents of change in their schools. Alongside the project's attempts to transform the schools into more climate-friendly organisations, various hindering aspects have been identified through Situational Analyses, a qualitative approach building on Grounded Theory which made use of participants' and researchers' mappings of situations. The mappings captured all involved actors, their roles in the transformation processes, carbon emission sources, the students' proposals and to what extent these were considered or implemented. Overall, this situated, participatory approach identified 15 types of barriers. Building on previous organisational research on schools, a coupling theory approach has been adopted to analyse the extent to which the interrelations of involved actors contributed to these barriers. The study provides detailed descriptions of how barriers to carbon reduction measures arise in schools. Other initiatives of creating climate-friendly educational institutions can build on the outlined importance of capturing all involved actors and their couplings in order to understand, and potentially prevent, barriers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100343"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147650034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adapting across generations: Livelihood pathways in environmentally stressed rural coastal regions of Bangladesh and India","authors":"Sayantan Samui,&nbsp;Bishawjit Mallick,&nbsp;Ajay Bailey","doi":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100352","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crsust.2026.100352","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding how livelihood practices transform across generations in response to environmental change represents a critical yet underexplored problem. Environmental changes are increasingly disrupting rural livelihoods in coastal South Asia. Existing studies have rarely captured either the dynamic or the intergenerational nature of livelihoods. Moving beyond static analyses, this study aimed to capture the intergenerational dynamics of livelihood trajectories in response to environmental change by introducing the analytical framework of <em>Intergenerational Livelihood Pathways</em>. The framework examined how environmental changes have shaped the availability of and access to livelihood capitals over time and how different adaptation strategies have evolved across generations. The framework was applied in rural coastal communities in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, where livelihoods have long been deeply rooted in natural resources and exposed to multiple environmental hazards. Drawing on life-history interviews in ten villages, this study traced the evolution of livelihood practices across three generations. The findings indicated a gradual shift from solely nature-based livelihoods to more mixed and diversified practices, mainly due to the degradation of natural capital. The study offered critical insights into how rural households adapt their livelihoods across generations in response to environmental changes. It provided actionable directions for policies that strengthen natural capital, promote sustainable resource use, and support locally driven adaptation planning. By introducing the <em>Intergenerational Livelihood Pathways</em> framework, the study contributed an original analytical lens for examining the intergenerational dimensions of adaptation and livelihood resilience in climate-vulnerable communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34472,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Environmental Sustainability","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100352"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}