{"title":"From ratings to resilience: The role and implications of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance in corporate solvency","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100304","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100304","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In an era marked by growing global turmoil, the strategic role of environmental finance and green investment in fostering sustainable development has never been more crucial. Particularly in regions beset by crises, enterprises find themselves at the forefront of efforts to develop resilience and stability. Leveraging insights from information effect theory and stakeholder theory, this study delves into an intricate interplay to unveil the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance on corporate solvency. In particular, the study investigates how ESG considerations influence short-term and long-term solvency metrics. Utilizing data from the listed constituent enterprises of the Stock Exchange of Thailand Sustainability Index (SETTHSI) during 2015 – 2023, the findings reveal a positive correlation between ESG performance and solvency at current levels, with no significant lag effect. Further analysis suggests that higher-polluting firms exhibit a stronger correlation between ESG performance and solvency compared to their non or lower-polluting counterparts. The findings remain robust across various assessments encompassing heterogeneity analysis by implementing group regressions and testing for endogeneity using the Propensity Score Matching approach, ensuring the reliability and applicability of the results which underscores the practical significance and theoretical relevance of the study, with profound implications for long-term enterprise resilience and broader social advancement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001539/pdfft?md5=3ce3a08c2e822619bf8f6cf460135e9c&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001539-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142310692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of rural human capital on household energy consumption structure: Evidence from Shaanxi Province in China","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100301","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100301","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The structure of rural household energy consumption is crucial for rural residents' living standards and quality of life, constituting an integral component of energy transition and promoting Chinese-style modernization. Meanwhile, rural human capital is a prerequisite for agricultural and rural modernization. Drawing on survey data from 791 households in Shaanxi Province, this study empirically examines the impact and mechanisms of human capital on the household energy consumption structure with the ordinary least square (OLS) model and instrumental variable (IV) method. The findings indicate that human capital significantly reduces traditional energy consumption while increasing the adoption of transitional and advanced energy. This conclusion remains robust after rigorous testing. Mechanism analysis reveals that human capital facilitates the shift from traditional to transitional and advanced energy by enhancing purchasing power, environmental awareness, and the frequency of energy-saving technology usage within households. Further analysis demonstrates that higher levels of human capital correlate with a greater likelihood of households transitioning from traditional energy to transitional and advanced energy. Particularly, households with a high school education exhibit a significant increase in the consumption of transitional and advanced energy while notably reducing traditional energy consumption. Moreover, compared to low-income households, human capital has a significantly positive effect on increasing the adoption of advanced energy in high-income households. Hence, prioritizing investment in rural education, providing more educational resources, improving school facilities, and implementing incentive policies to emphasize education within households are recommended strategies to enhance rural residents' human capitals. This, in turn, facilitates their adoption of transitional and advanced energy, reducing dependence on traditional energy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001503/pdfft?md5=9bded3f49cb5aeb4a5043af8fe085dca&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001503-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142242027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of digital economy on energy conservation and emission reduction: Evidence from prefecture-level cities in China","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100288","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100288","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the face of global climate challenges and energy crises, China aimed to enhance energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER). This study explored the role of the digital economy in boosting energy efficiency and supporting sustainable development by constructing an index system, applying principal component analysis, and using spatial econometric models to assess the impact of digital economic development in China's prefecture-level cities on ECER. Findings revealed regional development disparities and complex spatial interactions that influence ECER. The digital economy showed potential to reduce emissions after reaching a particular scale, suggesting policy recommendations for balanced growth.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001370/pdfft?md5=e8a40efebea196fdcdd97bcd0db33cbc&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001370-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142171863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Navigating loyalty and trust in the skies: The mediating role of customer satisfaction and image for sustainable airlines","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100299","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100299","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study aims to pinpoint the key factors influencing customer loyalty and trust within the airline industry. The study investigates the impact of service quality (assessed through the SERVQUAL model), pricing fairness, and perceived value on passengers' loyalty and trust in airlines. Additionally, the research delves into the mediating influences of passenger satisfaction and airline image in this domain. The data has been collected from the passengers who have lately used air transport to travel. The respondents included 400 passengers and were targeted using a purposive sampling technique. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between service quality, price fairness, and perceived value, as well as passengers' loyalty and trust in airlines. Furthermore, we discovered that customer satisfaction and the airline's image played crucial roles as mediators, enhancing our understanding of the core mechanisms driving loyalty and trust formation among passengers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001485/pdfft?md5=a017ad89d8b59d7417f623f39110411e&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001485-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142242725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Greening Japan: Harnessing energy efficiency and waste reduction for environmental progress","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100302","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100302","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study explores the complex interactions between energy efficiency, municipal waste generation, and ecological footprint in Japan (1990Q2–2019Q4) using wavelet quantile correlation. Our findings reveal that energy efficiency reduces ecological footprint to varying degrees across different time horizons and quantiles. Eco-innovation has a mitigating impact on the environmental footprint, especially at lower and upper quantiles, showing significant growth and suppression trends. Meanwhile, economic growth and globalization produce asymmetric effects on Japan's ecological footprint, impacting it differently across the distribution. Municipal waste consistently drives ecological footprint across all quantiles. Policy options are discussed to address these crucial environmental challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001515/pdfft?md5=7c9568347faa979c7bb06db214d151b2&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001515-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142310691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Opportunities and challenges to increase circularity in the product's use phase","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The circular economy (CE) seeks to optimize the use of natural resources and to allow sustainable production processes to work in a closed-loop system. Each product's life cycle phase must be analyzed from the CE perspective in a production environment. Although the use phase is significant in terms of environmental impact, it faces challenges and opportunities that must be explored. The objectives of this study are (i) to identify the main guidelines companies can implement to increase circularity in the product's use phase and (ii) to outline the existing opportunities and challenges to increase circularity in the product's use phase. The study identified guidelines related to CE practices in the product's use phase that companies can adopt, which were categorized into 15 key areas: reuse, reverse logistics, resources, marketing, contract, systems, tools, and others. Furthermore, it highlighted opportunities to improve the relationship between companies and consumers, such has expanding product-service systems and connecting them to EC coverage levels. The research also recognized challenges that impede the effective implementation of CE in the use phase, such as the packaging sector, electrical and electronics sector, durability of products, need for different players, the importance of top management, CE level approach, renting as a business model, remanufacturing and reprocessing of electronic equipment and engines, options to sell products in bulk and raising people's awareness of the importance of CE throughout the product's life cycle. The research shows concluded that the guidelines found can facilitate the transition to CE, actively involving users and using existing methodologies and tools.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001461/pdfft?md5=608677d227a0640402d0f90c26626dae&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001461-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142310690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Appraisal model on how accounting data analytics impacts public sector sustainability reporting","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The current manuscript establishes and validates a conceptual framework that focuses on the correlation between accounting data analytics (ADA) and the quality of digital sustainability reporting (QDSR). Moreover, it aims to examine how the sustainable green internal control system (SGICS) facilitates the relationship between ADA and QDSR. The current manuscript employed a three-pronged methodology comprising of expert interviews, a literature review, and a self-administered survey, in sequential sequence. To determine the measuring scales and relevant concerns, the qualitative methodology originally involved conducting several semi-structured interviews with specialists and doing a thorough examination of the relevant literature. In the quantitative phase, statistical data were collected by two-wave paper-and-pencil surveys given to respondents in Vietnamese public sector organizations. The survey was conducted using a snowball and convenience sampling method. The data analysis was conducted utilizing the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique with the assistance of SmartPLS 4.1.0.3. The statistical results validated the significantly positive connection between ADA and QDSR. This link was partially mediated by SGICS.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001448/pdfft?md5=387557629d8a85d5bbe7eb3f805f5bfd&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001448-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142242726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cross-scale characteristics and emission reduction pathways of trade-embodied carbon flows in the global supply Chains","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100290","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100290","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the context of the 1.5 °C warming target, there is a growing awareness of the increasingly frequent carbon flows between subregions. However, understanding the characteristics and pathways of cross-scale carbon flows between subregions and regions remains elusive and impedes achieving emission reduction targets. This study employs a nested multi-regional input–output model and the structural path analysis method, establishing the characteristics of the carbon emission transfer network within global supply chains and discerning the crucial structural pathways and nodes for carbon emissions. The study found that (1) in 36 major countries, the embodied carbon flows are predominantly influenced by the developed countries around China in Asia and the Pacific. (2) In 30 subregions, coastal subregions with large-scale foreign trade and energy-intensive subregions in China's central and western parts contribute significantly to the larger embodied carbon outflow due to exports. (3) “Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products (S09) → construction (S19)” and “manufacture and processing of metals (S10) → construction (S19)” are the two key pathways of paramount significance of embodied carbon emissions. (4) “R25 South Korea” has the highest number of key pathways and the greatest embodied carbon emissions from critical paths, followed by “R27 India” and “R22 United States.” These findings offer valuable insights for the development of regional emission reduction policies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001394/pdfft?md5=16293b9b88cb52fa123bd1dfb28b0aa5&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001394-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142242723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sustainable small business lending","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100292","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100292","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Banks are the main source of external funding for small businesses. Thus, integrating sustainability considerations in small business lending can support global sustainability efforts. In surveying German banks, I show that banks are in the process of implementing sustainable small business lending. They put more emphasis on sustainability risks than on the transformation of the business model among small businesses. Sustainable relationship lending has some relevance in creating sustainability-related soft information, although respective hard information is preferred by banks. Banks and policymakers can use the findings to better apply sustainable small business lending to sustainability and resilience efforts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001412/pdfft?md5=272afc07e281329752a27ac70562ec6b&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001412-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142242724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Promotion or inhibition? Exploring the influence of the digital economy on urban-rural integration: A case study of yellow River basin","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The digital economy actively disrupts the \"urban depression effect\" and the \"wealth gap\" between urban and rural areas, playing a crucial role in advancing urban-rural integration. Based on this, a scientifically constructed performance evaluation indicator system for the digital economy and urban-rural integration was developed. Using the Yellow River Basin as an empirical case study area, the projection pursuit model, simulated annealing algorithm and spatial Durbin model were employed to explore the impact of the digital economy on urban-rural integration in the Yellow River Basin from 2011 to 2021. The findings reveal the following: 1) The degree of digital economy and urban-rural integration display a characteristic pattern resembling that of a downstream > midstream > upstream watershed, showcasing discernible spatial correlation features between them. 2) The digital economy in the Yellow River Basin directly fosters urban-rural integration development. Government behavior stand out as the most influential factor in promoting urban-rural integration among the control variables. 3) The impact of the digital economy on urban-rural integration in the Yellow River Basin displays regional heterogeneity, with the most pronounced effects observed in downstream areas. Moreover, the spatial spillover effect of the digital economy exhibits a distinct \"good-neighborliness\" characteristic. 4) The digital economy in the Yellow River Basin substantially advances urban-rural integration development through the adjustment effect of industrial structure rationalization and the mediating effect of entrepreneurial activity. These research findings shed light on the impact and spatial spillover pathways of the digital economy on urban-rural integration, aligning with the national strategy of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34478,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Futures","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824001424/pdfft?md5=8a414853d3b840311425502e96f3c560&pid=1-s2.0-S2666188824001424-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142171862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}