Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the escalating global climate crisis, higher education institutions have emerged as pivotal actors in the multi-sectoral transition toward carbon neutrality. The study objectives were to present a comprehensive carbon footprint assessment for Phase I of a multi-campus initiative at the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, evaluating emissions across seven urban campuses from 2019 to 2022 to align with national sustainability targets and global climate action goals. METHODS: Following the Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard Protocol (2005), the research quantified Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect electricity), and selected Scope 3 (staff air travel) emissions for the period 2019–2022. Data collection used standardized virtual forms to compile institutional records, including fuel receipts, utility bills, and air travel logs provided by the Aviatur travel agency. Emissions were calculated by multiplying activity data by city-specific and international emission factors, reporting all values in ton carbon dioxide equivalents. FINDINGS: For campuses in cold climatic zones, 2022 CF values were 174.9- ton carbon dioxide equivalents (0.0143- ton carbon dioxide equivalents/person) in Bogotá and 75.4- ton carbon dioxide equivalents (0.0152- ton carbon dioxide equivalents/person) in Pasto, representing reductions of 15.93 percent and 27.72 percent relative to 2019. In mild climatic zones, 2022 emissions were 147.5 ton carbon dioxide equivalents (0.0163 ton carbon dioxide equivalents /person) for Ibagué–Espinal, 200.8 ton carbon dioxide equivalents (0.0270 ton carbon dioxide equivalents/person) for Medellín, 258.8-ton carbon dioxide equivalents (0.3839 ton carbon dioxide equivalents/person) for Nacional, 239.1-ton carbon dioxide equivalents (0.1111-ton carbon dioxide equivalents/person) for Pereira–Cartago, and 67.7 ton carbon dioxide equivalents (0.0375-ton carbon dioxide equivalents /person) for Popayán, with percentage variations of +8.78 percent, +33.06 percent, +60.75 percent, +5.18 percent, and +37.56 percent from 2019 baselines, respectively. CONCLUSION: Across all campuses, Scope 2 electricity consumption was identified as the primary emission source, followed by Scope 1 fugitive emissions and Scope 3 staff travel. Key mitigation initiatives included the installation of solar-powered luminaires in Bogotá and energy-efficient light-emitting diode in Pasto. The results underscore the need for energy-efficiency programs, improved air-conditioning maintenance, and reduced travel to mitigate emissions. These findings provide Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia with actionable insights for its 2025 carbon neutrality goal and offer a replicable model for higher education institutions to standardize carbon accounting frameworks in alignment with international protocols.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Amman, Jordan's capital, has experienced rapid urbanization, exacerbating solid waste management challenges. It is apparent that the poor allocation of waste bins in Amman is not merely an operational inconvenience but also a pressing concern with substantial environmental, social, and economic ramifications for the city. The current study's objectives were to apply the analytic hierarchy process to compare alternative bin distributions based on environmental, social, and economic factors. METHODS: The analytic hierarchy process was used to compare bin distribution alternatives based on environmental, social, and economic factors. Four options were compared: geographic information system-based optimization, smart bin technology using the internet of things, community-based distribution, and centralized and decentralized collection points. Ultimately, sensitivity analysis evaluated the resilience of the analytical hierarchy process model across various weight configurations. FINDINGS: The results indicate the importance of accessibility, population density, and population health in waste management planning. The primary elements taken into account during the decision-making process included the social factor at 37.7 percent, the environmental factor at 35.5 percent, and the economic factor at 26.8 percent. Also, the analysis findings show that geographic information system-based optimization is the most viable strategy to ensure fair allocation and minimize environmental impacts and operating inefficiencies. The advanced waste bin serves as the second practical strategy, with a significant probability of enhancing collection through real-time monitoring. Conversely, other approaches, including community-based distribution and centralized collection, were found to be less viable and ineffective because of difficulties in implementation and acceptance. CONCLUSION: The current study highlights the importance of combining geographic information systems and smart bin systems (Internet of Things) to achieve sustainable, economically viable, and socially inclusive waste management in Amman. This comprehensive approach facilitates the achievement of long-term urban planning goals and tackles operational, environmental, and community concerns. Amman can improve solid waste management by adopting scientific, data-driven methods to select waste bin sites.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sedimentation threatens the long-term storage capacity and operational safety of Mosul Dam, one of Iraq’s largest strategic reservoirs. The inflow of sediment from tributary valleys progressively diminishes the effective volume of the reservoir and heightens hydrological risks in the context of fluctuating rainfall patterns. This study aimed to quantify long-term runoff and sediment yield from three major tributaries draining into Mosul Dam and to establish a predictive runoff–sediment relationship to support spatial erosion management.METHODS: The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied using climatic, land use, soil, and topographic datasets covering 1985–2024. A gradual manual calibration technique was performed based on the observed runoff and sediment data from Fayda Valley, the only sub-basin in the watershed that has been subject to monitoring. Model performance was evaluated using the Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) as the principal objective function, supported by the coefficient of determination (R²), the index of agreement (IOA), the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and parameter sensitivity analysis was performed to identify dominant hydrological and sediment controls.FINDINGS: The calibrated model achieved good performance (NSE up to 0.94 for runoff and 0.91 for sediment load). Mean annual precipitation was 362 millimeter, characteristic of semi-arid conditions. In the largest sub-watershed, simulated runoff depths reached 91 millimeters, reflecting a notable generation of runoff in relation to the total rainfall amounts in the region. The combined average sediment contribution from the three valleys was approximately 3.8 × 10³ tons per year, with Sweedy Valley accounting for 84 present of total sediment inflow, identifying it as the dominant erosion hotspot. Power-law relationships between annual runoff and sediment yield produced R² values between 0.77 and 0.82, indicating moderate statistical association and confirming nonlinear sediment response to hydrological variability. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the sediment transport to Mosul Dam is highly localized and primarily determined by the intensity of runoff. Prioritizing erosion control in Sweedy Valley can substantially reduce sediment inflow and help safeguard reservoir storage capacity. By promoting focused watershed management and minimizing sediment risks, the results directly aid in the protection of water resources as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 6, as well as enhance climate-adaptive watershed resilience in accordance with sustainable development goal 13.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coastal communities depend on artisanal fishing for livelihoods, food security, and social cohesion. Nevertheless, these activities exist alongside growing environmental challenges arising from urbanization, the oil sector, and climate change. These pressures generate complex interactions between fishing activity, urban management and environmental conservation, particularly in artisanal ports where territorial governance is often fragmented. Within this framework, this study explores the socio-environmental and territorial aspects that impact the urban management of the artisanal fishing port of Santa Rosa. Utilizing geomatic tools and dynamic models, it aims to create technical guidelines for sustainable and resilient territorial development.  METHODS: The methodology integrated a socio-environmental perception survey, descriptive climate analysis, dynamic modelling in Vensim, spatial representation in ArcGIS Pro and Google Earth Pro, and hierarchical clustering of local experts. This interdisciplinary approach captured the complexity of the socio-ecological system of the artisanal fishing port of Santa Rosa. Furthermore, it examined the environmental, productive, and social elements influencing the urban management of the territory, integrating both quantitative data and the expertise of local stakeholders, which are essential for developing sustainability guidelines.FINDINGS:  Results reveal interactions among oil activity, climate variability, pollution, and community sustainability within a coupled socio-ecological system. Survey results (n = 157) indicate that 86 percent of respondents perceived declining fish abundance, while 78 percent associated this trend with environmental and urban pressures. Climate analysis shows a long-term sea-level rise of approximately 3 mm/year (1950–2018), increasing exposure of port infrastructure. Dynamic modelling has uncovered feedback loops that reinforce the relationship between pollution and fishing intensity, leading to decreased system stability; sensitivity tests showed that a 15–20 percent increase in pressure variables accelerates degradation. Expert clustering showed >70 percent consensus on operational, environmental, and planning priorities.CONCLUSION: The viability of the artisanal fishing port is contingent upon comprehensive urban planning that engages the fishing community actively, fortifies multi-level governance, and predicts the consequences of climate change. This study provides a replicable methodological framework for the sustainable management of artisanal ports in vulnerable coastal territories.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a major tropical cash crop in Indonesia, but yields are constrained by the cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella), which can cause 30–50 percent losses. Conventional pyrethroid use often leads to resistance and harms non-target organisms; therefore, eco-friendly alternatives that preserve natural enemies are urgently needed. The study objectives were to evaluate oil-based botanical insecticides from Reutealis trisperma (candlenut) and Cerbera manghas (bintaro) for cocoa pod borer control and for impacts on non-target ants (Formicidae). METHODS: Field trials were conducted in South Sulawesi using a randomized complete block design (eight treatments × four replicates). Treatments included Reutealis trisperma and Cerbera manghas oil formulations (5 and 10 milliliters), a combined plant extract, lambda-cyhalothrin (1 milliliter), and untreated control. Applications were made with a knapsack sprayer every 15 days for six cycles. Thirty healthy pods per sampled tree were tagged and monitored for infestation, damage severity, and yield loss, which was estimated using a published regression model. Non-target monitoring focused on Formicidae; visual counts were recorded at each sampling and classified using an ordinal scale (+ = 1–10; ++ = 11–20; +++ = 21–30 ants per tree). Infestation, yield, and egg-laying suppression were analyzed by analysis of variance and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at α = 0.05, while Formicidae data were summarized descriptively due to low field densities. FINDINGS: Botanical oil treatments significantly reduced cocoa pod borer infestation compared with the control (p < 0.05), decreasing from 35–72 percent initially to 0–10 percent by the fifth application; lambda-cyhalothrin showed no advantage (39–46 percent). Yield loss remained low in botanical treatments (0.00–0.98 percent) compared with 11.71 percent in the synthetic treatment, and egg-laying suppression reached 90–100 percent. Formicidae abundance remained in the low (+) category across botanical treatments, whereas the control averaged ++. No consistent treatment-related declines in ant abundance were observed. Phytotoxicity was minor and temporary. CONCLUSION: R. trisperma and C. manghas oil formulations are effective in suppressing cocoa pod borer and in conserving ants natural enemies under the conditions tested. These botanical insecticides therefore provide a viable, environmentally safer component of integrated pest management for sustainable cocoa production, with potential to reduce reliance on persistent synthetic pesticides when integrated with improved formulation and extension support.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allium fistulosum (welsh onion) constitute a flagship agricultural product of Cibeureum Village Sukanagalih, Pacet District, Cianjur Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Pest infestation leads farmers to use excessive doses of pesticides, exposing various health risks and environmental effects. These practices should be transformed to encourage farmers to adopt sustainable pesticide use. The study objectives were to determine Allium fistulosum farmers'' knowledge, attitude, behavior, and their correlation regarding pesticide use; and identifies insecticide types, active ingredients, and residues in Allium fistulosum from Cibeureum Village, Indonesia.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, interviews, questionnaire, and field observation was conducted on 35 Allium fistulosum farmers in Cibeureum Village; and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect Allium fistulosum insecticide residues. Furthermore, the correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation among variables through the Fisher’s exact test method.FINDINGS: The study revealed that Allium fistulosum farmers applied excessive doses of insecticide; accordingly, 0.008 milligrams per kilogram emamectin benzoate residues were found. Most farmers had comprehensive knowledge of hazardous substances in pesticides and wearing personal protective equipment. This led to a responsible pesticide-use attitude and behavior, e.g., purchasing pesticides with clear labels from authorized stores, avoiding other activities and wearing masks during application, followed by maintaining personal hygiene and storing pesticides in separate rooms following application. Nevertheless, the correlation between knowledge and attitude is 0.486 (moderate), as well as between attitude and behavior (0.471) is moderate. In practical application, the pesticide dosage used by farmers often does not comply with the recommended levels.CONCLUSION: Farmers with responsible pesticide-use knowledge cannot definitively reflect their attitude and behavior regarding the safe use of pesticides. Experience influenced farmers’ responsible pesticide-use practice by forming inherited agricultural practices and a socially patterned habit. This led to misconceptions that higher dosages of pesticides could increase agricultural productivity. In the actual condition, the accumulation of emamectin benzoate on Allium fistulosum. Therefore, it is essential for improving farmers’ pesticide-use knowledge, attitude, and behavior, followed by policy that could improve farmers welfare.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Seasonal variability represents a critical environmental driver influencing seaweed growth and heavy metal accumulation in coastal aquaculture systems. Variations in rainfall intensity, salinity regimes, and water circulation patterns may alter environmental stability and pollutant dynamics, thereby affecting both production performance and product safety. Despite its importance, comprehensive information regarding the combined effects of seasonal conditions on biomass development and lead contamination in cultivated Gracilaria verrucosa remains limited, particularly in tropical pond ecosystems. The study objectives were to examine the effects of dry and wet seasons on growth characteristics, production yield, and lead accumulation in pond cultivated G. verrucosa in the coastal area of Ujungpangkah, Gresik, Indonesia.METHODS: Field observations and sample collection were conducted during the dry season from April to September 2024 and the wet season from October 2024 to March 2025. Sixty samples were obtained in each season. Growth performance indicators, including absolute biomass, growth rate, and production yield, were determined using standardized cultivation evaluation methods. Lead concentrations in seaweed tissues were quantified through laboratory based chemical analyses. Seasonal differences were assessed using independent statistical tests to identify significant variations between sampling periods.FINDINGS: The results demonstrated clear seasonal contrasts in biomass production and lead accumulation, both of which were markedly higher during the dry season. Mean absolute biomass in the dry period (128.33 ± 60.41 grams) was more than twofold that recorded in the wet season (55.83 ± 20.54 grams; P = 0.021). Likewise, lead concentrations were significantly elevated under dry conditions (4.57 ± 0.79 milligrams per kilogram) compared with the wet season (2.99 ± 0.58 milligrams per kilogram; P = 0.006). In contrast, neither specific growth rate nor agar yield differed significantly between seasons (P > 0.05), suggesting that fundamental physiological efficiency remained relatively consistent throughout the annual cycle. CONCLUSION: The findings confirm that seasonal variation plays a decisive role in regulating biomass production and lead accumulation in Gracilaria verrucosa culture systems. Although the dry season supports higher productivity, it simultaneously elevates contamination risk. Consequently, the implementation of seasonally adaptive management practices, continuous environmental monitoring, and strengthened pollution control measures is essential to ensure sustainable production and food safety in coastal seaweed aquaculture.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Foothill regions along the Himalayan belt are hydrologically complex due to rugged terrain, highly variable rainfall, and rapidly changing land cover, making them particularly prone to flash flooding. Accurate runoff estimation in such ungauged basins is therefore essential for effective watershed management and flood mitigation. The study objectives were to develop a spatially distributed, uncertainty-aware framework for runoff evaluation in the ungauged Pagladiya River basin in the Himalayan foothills of Baksa District, Assam, India using the geographic information system -based soil conservation service curve number method.METHODS: The basin was subdivided into five physiographically distinct sub-watersheds to capture spatial heterogeneity. Geospatial datasets, including land use/land cover, hydrological soil groups, slope, and rainfall records (2008–2023), were integrated within a geographic information system environment to derive distributed curve number ranging from approximately 60 to 92. Event-based runoff depths were estimated using the Soil conservation service curve number model under varying antecedent moisture conditions. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify dominant controlling factors, and the predictive uncertainty associated with curve number variability was evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation with ±5 percent perturbations to curve number values.FINDINGS: Peak runoff depths ranged from about 40 to 160 millimeters, indicating strong event-scale variability across the basin. Runoff generation was found to be predominantly rainfall-driven, with Thiessen-weighted areal rainfall explaining over 99.88 percent of the variability in runoff (R² = 0.9997). Land-soil interactions also significantly influenced hydrological response, with land use/ land cover, hydrologic soil groups, and antecedent moisture condition acting as secondary controls; antecedent moisture condition-III produced the highest discharge under saturated conditions. Runoff coefficients ranged from 59.69 percent to 79.57 percent, indicating high runoff efficiency during intense storms. Sensitivity testing confirmed rainfall, curve number, and antecedent moisture condition as primary governing parameters, while morphometric characteristics had a moderate influence, mainly on flow concentration.CONCLUSION: The integrated geographic information system-based Soil conservation service curve number framework provides a decision-support tool for runoff estimation and flood risk assessment in ungauged Himalayan foothill basins. The approach supports watershed management and is compliant with other data-scarce mountainous regions facing similar hydrological challenges.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Heavy metal contamination from industrial wastewater remains a global concern. Biomass waste still contains active compounds that can be processed into useful materials. The study objectives were to address both problems by synthesizing composite hydrogels from pineapple crowns and avocado peels for the simultaneous adsorption of lead(II), cadmium(II), and copper(II) from aqueous solutions.METHODS: Composite hydrogels were synthesized using free radical polymerization using pineapple crown biochar and avocado peel biochar as grafting substrates. The material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and hardness testing to determine its physicochemical properties. The adsorption process uses a batch system in a solution containing lead, cadmium, and copper ions simultaneously at potential 4 to 6 and a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius with a speed of 125 revolutions per minute for an operating time of 300 minutes. The kinetics of adsorption were evaluated using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, and the model fit was based on the coefficient of determination value and the correlation.FINDINGS: Both hydrogels demonstrated mesoporous structures with high specific surface areas (square meters per gram) of 767.61 for pineapple crown composite hydrogel and 802.41 for avocado peel composite hydrogel, along with rich functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, alkyl, nitrile, and carbonyl groups that facilitate chemisorption. The avocado peel composite hydrogel showed the highest adsorption capacity (milligrams per gram), which was 0.56 for lead, 0.43 for cadmium, and 0.41 for copper. These results were better than the performance of the pineapple crown composite hydrogel. Adsorption kinetics were well described by the pseudo-second-order model, with coefficient of determination values from 0.91 to 0.98 for composite hydrogel.CONCLUSION: The performance of avocado peel composite hydrogels has improved compared to that of pineapple crown composite hydrogels, which is due to better porous accessibility and the presence of functional groups. These results confirm the importance of biomass selection and synthesis conditions. Although the resulting adsorption capacity is lower than developed adsorbents, this study provides advantages in terms of sustainability, low cost, and the accessibility of local raw materials, making it highly promising for sustainable wastewater treatment.
Date unavailable
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thailand''s revised plan for carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero by 2065 directly aligns with the sustainable development goals, a universal roadmap for global sustainability. Education for Sustainable Development plays a vital role, as it prepares learners with the understanding and competencies to confront climate change and attain quality education. Integrating climate change into university curricula fosters responsible consumption, drives the university’s environmental management strategies, in particular the low-carbon strategy, and helps achieve national climate goals. The study objectives were to evaluate the awareness levels of undergraduate students regarding the carbon footprint associated with their daily activities, environmental management practices, and sustainable development goals. In addition, it examined the correlations between awareness levels on the aspects mentioned.METHODS: The study encompasses an extensive survey analysis involving 400 undergraduate students at Thepsatri Rajabhat University in Thailand, utilizing multiple regression analysis to ascertain the main determinants of sustainability alignment.FINDINGS: Findings revealed that student awareness across daily carbon footprints, environmental management, and sustainable development goals reached a high level, falling within the 3.51–4.00 mean score range. Strong positive correlations existed between sustainable development goals alignment and both daily carbon footprints (r = 0.88) and environmental management (r = 0.89, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that all seven variables significantly predicted sustainable development goals alignment (p < 0.01). Standardized Beta coefficients (β) indicated that household consumption (X1, β = 0.412) and waste management (X7, β = 0.358) were the primary predictors with the strongest relative association. Moreover, energy management, water management, and commuting footprint were analyzed, indicating the greatest comparative influence on student sustainability within the predictive model.CONCLUSION: This study reveals that awareness of daily carbon footprints, particularly in household consumption and waste management, is a crucial factor in predicting students'' adherence to sustainable development goals. Consequently, these priority dimensions should be integrated into university curricula to promote sustainable behavior and directly contribute to Thailand’s national carbon neutrality and net-zero emission objectives.