Tag: Sustainable Development

Social Criteria of Sustainable Development in Relation to Green Building Assessment Tools

Buildings are for people, yet we often fail to quantify its human impact. This research aims to address the “social blind spot” of green assessment tools, aiming to bring human-centric perspective into the core of construction.

By identifying the key social factors (from indoor air quality and mental health to community integration) the study provides a roadmap for building practitioners to make better decisions.

The authors move beyond simple technical metrics to propose a new way of evaluating a building’s success: its contribution to Social Sustainable Development Goals.

Ultimately, the paper argues that a building can only be truly “sustainable” if it supports the health, equity, and well-being of the society that uses it.

Learn more about this paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-018-0184-1

Reference

Atanda, J.O., Öztürk, A. Social criteria of sustainable development in relation to green building assessment tools. Environ Dev Sustain 22, 61–87 (2020)
The Triple Bottom Line and Sustainable Economic Development Theory and Practice

The concept of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) challenges us to redefine success by equally weighing economic, environmental, and social value. While this framework is essential to the broader conversation on sustainability, it has surprisingly received very little formal attention within the specific field of economic development.

This research seeks to bridge that gap by providing a clear definition of TBL economic development and investigating how professionals in the field actually prioritize these three pillars in their real-world projects.

By examining the engagement and priorities of current practitioners, the study demonstrates that the Triple Bottom Line is not just a niche concept but is actually central to the evolution of the discipline.

The author concludes by offering strategic recommendations to advance both theory and practice, arguing that integrating social and ecological health into economic models is the only way to achieve truly meaningful progress.

Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.1177/0891242416674808

Reference

Hammer, J., & Pivo, G. (2016). The Triple Bottom Line and Sustainable Economic Development Theory and Practice. Economic Development Quarterly, 31(1), 25-36
The Role of Environmental Regulations, Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency in Finding the Path to Green Economic Growth

Do strict environmental laws help or hurt the economy? This research examines 20 years of data across the European Union to find the answer.

By using the Global Malmquist–Luenberger index, the study measures “Green Economic Growth”—a metric that counts GDP gains while “penalizing” for carbon emissions.

The findings reveal a fascinating U-shaped relationship: while initial environmental regulations may pose a temporary challenge to economic speed, they eventually “turn the corner.” As energy efficiency improves and renewable energy scales up, these regulations become the primary driver for a sustainable, high-performing economy.

The study concludes that for the EU to reach its carbon-free goals, policymakers shouldn’t fear regulation; instead, they should view it as a necessary catalyst that forces the innovation required for long-term prosperity.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/en16073090

Reference

Dzwigol, H., Kwilinski, A., Lyulyov, O., & Pimonenko, T. (2023). The Role of Environmental Regulations, Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency in Finding the Path to Green Economic Growth. Energies, 16(7), 3090
Greenfield Investment as a Catalyst of Green Economic Growth

If we want to stop depleting our planet’s resources while still growing our economies, we need to rethink where our money goes. This research investigates the power of “Greenfield” investments—building new, sustainable infrastructure from the floor up—as the ultimate catalyst for green growth.

By analyzing EU data over 15 years, the study proves that when we invest in new renewable energy technologies, we don’t just reduce emissions; we improve the overall productivity of the nation.

However, the findings come with a caveat: money alone isn’t enough. The effectiveness of these investments depends heavily on the “Efficiency of Public Governance.” In regions where the legal and political systems are transparent and open, green investments flourish.

For the EU to achieve true “spatial harmony” in its climate goals, it must bridge the technological gap between its member states, ensuring that every Euro invested in green infrastructure is backed by a stable and efficient government framework.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052372

Reference

Kwilinski, A., Lyulyov, O., & Pimonenko, T. (2023). Greenfield Investment as a Catalyst of Green Economic Growth. Energies, 16(5), 2372
Green Deal, Green Growth and Green Economy as a Means of Support for Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals

Is a “Green Economy” just a buzzword, or a viable roadmap for our future? This research peels back the layers of contemporary environmental economics to define what it truly means to “green” our global processes.

By synthesizing indicators from the world’s leading economic institutions—from the World Bank to the European Union—the study provides a toolkit for measuring real progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

The paper concludes by focusing on the European Green Deal, viewing it as the most ambitious regional attempt to align economic growth with planetary boundaries.

However, it issues a vital caution: while the green transformation offers immense opportunities for innovation and resilience, we must remain wary of “excessive confidence” in technology alone. True sustainability, the research suggests, requires a critical look at the weaknesses of our current models as much as an embrace of new, greener concepts.

Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105901

Reference

Adamowicz, M. (2022). Green Deal, Green Growth and Green Economy as a Means of Support for Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 14(10), 5901
The Key to Sustainable Economic Development: A Triple Bottom Line Approach

Does protecting the planet have to come at the cost of the economy? This study explores the “Triple Bottom Line”—the idea that a country’s success depends on the harmony of social, environmental, and economic factors.

By analyzing data from OECD countries over 14 years, the research proves that social progress is the ultimate engine for growth.

However, the findings also highlight a complex and sometimes “conflicting” reality: under our current global systems, environmental protection is often seen as an economic “brake.” To fix this, the authors argue that we need a new definition of “development.” We must move beyond just tracking GDP and start including environmental health directly into our national scorecards.

For governments, the path forward is clear: boost social well-being to drive the economy, but work harder to find “win-win” scenarios where environmental protection and economic growth finally support, rather than compete with, each other, and where the measures adopted by governments do not produce a short-term benefit but in the long term increase vulnerabilities due to public debt.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/resources11050046

Reference

Nogueira, E., Gomes, S., & Lopes, J. M. (2022). The Key to Sustainable Economic Development: A Triple Bottom Line Approach. Resources, 11(5), 46
Macroeconomic Stability and Transport Company’s Sustainable Development in the Eastern European Union

Can a transport company go green in an unstable economy? This research argues that the answer is largely “no.” For transport firms in Eastern Europe, macroeconomic stability is the single most important predictor of sustainable growth.

Using the “Pentagon of Stability”—which tracks everything from inflation to unemployment—the study reveals that when a nation’s economy is balanced, companies have the confidence and capital to invest in the future.

The findings offer a clear message for governments: sustainability isn’t just about environmental laws; it’s about economic predictability. In countries like Slovenia and Slovakia, the link between a healthy economy and a healthy transport sector is undeniable.

To support the “Green Deal,” the paper concludes that policymakers must ensure fair tax systems, stable legal regulations, and easy access to finance. Without a stable macroeconomic floor, the transport industry—one of our biggest polluters—cannot build the sustainable ceiling we need.

Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2021.15913

Reference

Comporek, M., Kowalska, M., & Misztal, A. (2022). Macroeconomic stability and transport companies’ sustainable development in the Eastern European Union. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 23(1), 131–144
Economic Development of the European Union in the Relation of Sustainable Development—Taxonomic Analysis

Is the European Union becoming more unified or more divided in its quest for sustainability?

This research utilizes advanced taxonomic methods to analyze the economic development of 27 EU member states through the lens of the Sustainable Development concept.

By comparing data from 2014 and 2019, the study reveals that spatial disproportions—the differences in wealth and sustainability between regions—are more pronounced today than ever before.

The findings explicitly argue that while energy plays a central role in driving growth, the benefits are not being distributed evenly across the Union. The researchers utilized the Hellwig and TOPSIS methods to rank and cluster countries, ultimately proving that current efforts are insufficient to bridge the gap between Member States.

The study concludes with a call for urgent, “pro-development” actions at both the national and EU levels to ensure that sustainable growth becomes a reality for every region, not just the front-runners.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227488

Reference

Jędrzejczak-Gas, J., Barska, A., & Wyrwa, J. (2021). Economic Development of the European Union in the Relation of Sustainable Development—Taxonomic Analysis. Energies, 14(22), 7488
The Components of Sustainable Development – A Possible Approach

For decades, we have used Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the ultimate yardstick for progress, but can a single number truly capture the complexity of human survival and well-being?

This research explores the three fundamental pillars of a sustainable society—the economic, the ecological, and the human—and examines how they must interact to create a future that is both equitable and viable.

By employing a conceptual framework that breaks down human needs into biological, social, and spiritual dimensions, the author critiques the narrow focus of traditional economic growth models.

The study argues that measuring development purely through financial output, without quantifying the long-term benefits of environmental protection, is an outdated and unacceptable approach to sustainability.

Ultimately, the investigation concludes that the “human component” is the heart of the equation; true sustainable evolution requires a deep commitment to equity, acknowledging that economic activity exists solely to serve the diverse and profound needs of people within a healthy natural environment.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(15)00849-7

Reference

Duran, D. C., Gogan, L. M., Artene, A., & Duran, V. (2015). The Components of Sustainable Development—A Possible Approach. 4th World Conference on Business, Economics and Management (WCBEM-2015), 26, 806–811
Relationship Between Environment and Sustainable Economic Development: A Theoretical Approach to Environmental Problems

While the global pursuit of economic growth has successfully raised living standards for many, it has also pushed our natural resources to a breaking point, creating an urgent dilemma for future generations.

This research investigates the essential link between environmental preservation and sustainable development, focusing on how we might curb degradation without halting economic progress.

By employing a descriptive methodology and analyzing trends within data from organizations like the World Bank and the IMF, the author examines the global impact of resource consumption across different economic tiers.

The study reveals a double-edged sword: developed nations often over-exploit resources for surplus production, while developing countries do so out of a necessity to alleviate poverty.

It is concluded that our current trajectory is unsustainable for both humans and wildlife, arguing that the judicious use of environmental assets is the only viable path toward a stable and lasting economic future.

Learn more about this study here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285433097_Relationship_between_environment_and_sustainable_economic_development_a_theoretical_approach_to_environmental_problems

Reference

Awan, Dr.Abdul. (2013). Relationship between environment and sustainable economic development: a theoretical approach to environmental problems. Int. J. Asian Soc. Sci.. 3. 741-761