International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development (16 papers in press)

Special Issue on: OA Behavioural Economics of Climate Change An Interdisciplinary Approach

• Open Access

  Intelligent optimisation algorithm of electricity accounting based on deep learning ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Lin Liu, Fang Jing, Yanfeng Zhao, Huafeng Qu 
  Abstract: Traditional electricity tariff accounting often suffers from significant errors and low efficiency. To resolve these issues, this paper presents an intelligent optimisation algorithm grounded in deep learning. Our methodology involves extracting useful features from vast amounts of tariff data to build a predictive model, thereby optimising both the accuracy and efficiency of the accounting system. In the research, the long short-term memory (LSTM) is used as the basic model, combined with the characteristic engineering methods, such as sliding window statistics, step price piecewise function coding, etc., to process and optimise the electricity tariff accounting data. Results show that our model achieves the lowest prediction error and outperforms both traditional statistical methods and stateoftheart machine learning models, and its MAPE reaches 2.1%, which achieves high accuracy and practical value for intelligent electricity accounting.
  Keywords: deep learning; intelligent optimisation algorithm; electricity accounting; LSTM.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10080667
   
  

• Open Access

  Psychological health education approaches and teaching strategies for software engineering students in response to climate change ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Le Kang, Chantana Viriyavejakul, Denghui Wu 
  Abstract: This study surveys software engineering students from four comprehensive universities in Shaanxi Province. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed, and 186 deemed valid. The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) is used to assess students psychological states. The study compares the effects of traditional general mental health education versus climate change adaptation-oriented intelligent mental health education. Results indicate that during the traditional general mental health education phase, over 80% of students exhibited mild psychological distress, and 28 students presented moderate psychological problems. The study demonstrates that integrating climate change issues into mental health education for software engineering students helps them identify psychological stress induced by climate risks. The findings offer pedagogical references for universities to develop climate change adaptation-oriented mental health education programs for software engineering students.
  Keywords: software engineering students; climate change adaptation; mental health education; ecological anxiety; intelligent teaching; teaching strategies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10080740
   
  

• Open Access

  Spatial memory, cultural transmission, and sustainable heritage tourism: evidence from Donglin Academy, China ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Feng Liang, Yuqi Teng, Jipeng Tian, Yingpeng Yu, Wenlei Niu 
  Abstract: Official and private schools, as parallel educational institutions, jointly constructed a dual education system that lasted for more than two thousand years in China. However, private education has not received the same level of attention as official education. This article traces the development process of private education from early private family school to the academy system, and based on spatial memory theory and Bourdieus cultural reproduction framework, taking Donglin Academy as an example, determines the sustainable Eastern activation mode of education and cultural heritage, that is, architectural space should achieve functional transformation without giving up its spiritual essence; the spatial memory embedded in architectural layout is an active medium for cultural dissemination, rather than a passive container for historical events; moral cultivation, cultural replication, educational innovation, and public participation in tourism intermediaries should be integrated into a self-sustaining cycle.
  Keywords: educational cultural heritage; living transmission; spatial memory; Donglin Academy; sustainable heritage tourism; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10080816
   
  

• Open Access

  Analysing the relationship between ESG controversies and analyst forecast accuracy using an LSTM and artificial intelligence model ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Xuan Zhao, Weiyun Tang, Hongtao Cao, Fei Chen 
  Abstract: Controversial events related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues have increasingly emerged as important drivers of uncertainty in capital markets; however, the mechanisms through which they influence analyst forecast behaviour remain inadequately understood. This study develops a dual-channel long short-term memory (LSTM) model that integrates semantic encoding with structural variables to investigate the dynamic relationship between ESG controversies and analyst forecast accuracy, while incorporating information disclosure level as a moderating variable. Empirical results indicate that greater ESG controversy intensity significantly reduces forecast accuracy by increasing forecast errors. As the controversy index increases from a low to a high level, the mean forecast error rises from 0.947 to 1.438. This study deepens the understanding of ESG controversies from the perspective of information asymmetry and provides a practical pathway for the cross-domain integration of artificial intelligence models into the analysis of forecasting behaviour in capital markets.
  Keywords: ESG controversies; analyst forecast accuracy; LSTM model; information disclosure; semantic-structural integration.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10081420
   
  

• Open Access

  The role of food design in promoting green and low-carbon food choices from the perspective of behavioural economics: significance for improving climate change ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Ming Zhang, Jie Yan, Ruomu Miao 
  Abstract: This study aims to increase consumers willingness to choose low-carbon foods and improve the proportion of actual low-carbon food selections. First, four food design intervention strategies were developed based on behavioural economics theories, including loss aversion, default options, social norms, and salience cues. These strategies included green labels, carbon footprint information, low-carbon default recommendations, and visual ranking. Second, consumer choice data under different food design scenarios were collected through scenario-based experiments and questionnaire surveys. Logit regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mediation effect analysis were employed to examine the underlying nudging mechanisms. The findings suggest that green and low-carbon food design can effectively promote low-carbon food choices by reducing cognitive costs, enhancing the salience of environmental information, and reshaping the choice architecture. This study provides practical intervention strategies for catering enterprises, food brands, and public policy agencies seeking to promote sustainable consumption.
  Keywords: behavioural economics; food design; green and low-carbon consumption; low-carbon food choice; nudging; carbon footprint; sustainable consumption.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10081534
   
  

• Open Access

  The behavioural moderation mechanism of capital markets on environmental efficiency under the difference-in-differences approach ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Zheyu Guo, Yulin Li, Baochuan Hou 
  Abstract: The present study uses Chinese A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2024 as the research sample, treating the initial entry of green institutional investors into a firm as a staggered capital market governance event. A staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach is employed to examine its impact on corporate environmental efficiency and the underlying mechanisms. Environmental efficiency is measured using the slacks-based measure data envelopment analysis (SBM-DEA) model incorporating undesirable outputs. The empirical results demonstrate that the entry of green institutional investors significantly enhances corporate environmental efficiency. Overall, this study uncovers the mechanisms through which green capital influences corporate environmental efficiency from four dimensions causal identification, the transmission channel of financing constraints, governance-related conditional effects, and nonlinear threshold effects thereby providing empirical evidence for improving green investment policies and optimising corporate governance structures.
  Keywords: double difference method; green preference; environmental efficiency; inverted u-shaped relationship; behavioural economics.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10081596
   
  

Special Issue on: OA Green Supply Chain Management Innovations in Sustainable Business Environment and Digital Transformation

• Open Access

  Virtual preassembly of transmission tower based on 3D laser scanning technology ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Honglin Yan, Xuan Qi, Yinying Liu, Guangning Lv, Xiao Tu, Biying Pei 
  Abstract: This paper proposes a novel method for the virtual preassembly of transmission tower members. First, a laser point cloud model of the tower is acquired using both the base station scanning method and handheld scanners. Using data fusion technology, a comprehensive point cloud model of the entire tower, including its local features, is generated. This approach enables the rapid acquisition of the towers point cloud model while ensuring high measurement accuracy. This method provides a crucial digital solution for enhancing quality control in the manufacturing of transmission towers, effectively addressing the industrys challenges of low efficiency, high cost, and safety risks associated with traditional physical preassembly. Next, a point cloud data processing algorithm is developed, and a virtual preassembly algorithm based on point cloud data is proposed. The algorithm includes point cloud registration, geometric feature extraction, and assembly measurement calculation. It supports intelligent dimension inspection, automatic member assembly, and error calculation during assembly. Applied to a real-world project, the experimental results validate the methods effectiveness.
  Keywords: transmission tower member; three-position laser scanning technology; point cloud data algorithm; feature extraction; finite element analysis; virtual preassembly technology.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10079045
   
  

• Open Access

  Multi-source spatiotemporal data fusion for dynamic perception and attribution analysis of urban leisure space vitality ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Yang Song, Xinzi Lin, Jianen Qin 
  Abstract: This study addresses limitations in traditional urban leisure space evaluation by proposing a dynamic framework based on multi-source spatiotemporal data. Integrating mobile signalling, POI, road networks, and remote sensing, it measures vitality through population size, activity frequency, and temporal variation at an hourly scale. The research identifies spatiotemporal patterns and quantifies key driving factors, including functional mix, accessibility, environmental quality, and renewal interventions. A nonlinear spatial model reveals how these factors differently influence vitality across contexts. Results show reduced temporal, spatial, and amplitude biases (0.19, 0.17, 0.14), while Morans I (0.518) confirms spatial continuity. Functional mix emerges as the most significant contributor to vitality changes. The study improves real-time vitality perception and factor quantification, offering practical insights for dynamic assessment and refined governance of urban leisure spaces.
  Keywords: urban renewal governance; urban leisure space vitality; multi source spatiotemporal data fusion; dynamic vitality perception; attribution analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10080353
   
  

• Open Access

  The construction of enterprise supply chain marketing channel management system in the network economy environment ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Lili Chen, Rongjun Huang 
  Abstract: In the network economy, companies that want to improve product sales should modify traditional sales methods, re analyse customer specific requirements, and implement appropriate changes. Therefore, this paper proposes a network economy based enterprise marketing channel management system (NE-EMCMS) and supply chain management (SCM). Based on the examination of network marketing theory and the operation of the network economy, this paper briefly explains the analysis required for the transformation of marketing policies and customer consumption trends in the era of the network economy. The simulation results show that compared with other popular methods, the proposed NE-EMCMS system has a high productivity of 98.8%, a repurchase intention rate of 97.3%, an efficiency rate of 96.5%, a performance rate of 95.6%, and a customer interaction rate of 96.1%.
  Keywords: enterprise marketing channel management system; EMCMS; supply chain; network economy environment; product sales; customers.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10080354
   
  

• Open Access

  Optimisation of green finance precision marketing strategies based on big data under the sustainable development goals ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Xuefeng Liu, Chengyong Liu, Li Ma, Ruixi Du 
  Abstract: Green finance (GF), which promotes economic greening under the SDG framework, faces problems of vague customer targeting and homogenous strategies for marketing. Big data provides a breakthrough. Based on provincial panel data (20102025) using an entropy-weighted TOPSIS model, we construct a closed-loop precision marketing framework that explores the effect of big data on GF marketing efficiency and SDG achievement. We find that big data can significantly improve customer identification and conversion rates, especially in eastern regions. The precision marketing optimisation mediating GFs sustainability benefits and the digital infrastructure moderating this relationship (GF coefficient = 0.028, p < 0.05; DII moderation = 0.022, p < 0.05). There are regional differences. In this paper, we propose data-driven strategy optimisation paths as policy and institutional decision-making reference.
  Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals; SDGs; green finance; big data; precision marketing; strategy optimisation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10081357
   
  

Regular Issues

• Region-specific air quality changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study from Hubei Province, China  
  by Shenglin Bao, Simin Zou, Baofeng Li 
  Abstract: This study quantifies the impact of regional population mobility on air quality by using the COVID-19 lockdown in Hubei Province, China, as a natural experiment. The relationships between migration intensity (MI) and six criteria air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO, SO2, and O3) were investigated during different phases of the pandemic (20192021). Results show that primary pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO) were positively associated with MI and decreased by 30%50% during strict lockdowns. Conversely, O3 showed a significant negative correlation with MI, increasing by 22.3 g/m3 due to weakened NO titration under low-NOx conditions. SO2 exhibited limited sensitivity to MI because of stable industrial emissions. These findings highlight that mobility reductions mitigate particulate and nitrogen pollution but may increase ozone levels, emphasising the need for coordinated precursor control strategies in urban air quality management.
  Keywords: COVID-19; population mobility; region environment; air quality; policy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10081011
   
  
• Navigating the nexus of urban sustainability in the Yangtze River Delta: analysis of synergistic pathways between environmental protection and economic development  
  by Haowen Zheng, Jianxin Dai, Wei Liu, Qunyi Liu 
  Abstract: Addressing urban sustainable development, this study analyses the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) from 2005 to 2022 using a CPGG framework. Our results reveal a persistent coordination deficit where the coupling coordination degree (CCD) lags behind connectivity. Although inter-city network density increased by 33.33%, overall regional coordination efficiency declined by 15.28%, hindering CCD improvement. A SHAP model identifies the CCDs core drivers, with the top five, notably environmental governance, carbon productivity, and social stability, accounting for 61.42% of the impact and exhibiting critical nonlinear effects. Multi-scenario simulations confirm an integrated synergistic development path (S5) is optimal, enabling 13 cities to achieve a high CCD, while a pragmatic transition anchored in social stability (S4) is the most effective real-world approach. This study urges a policy shift from increasing connectivity to improving coupling coordination.
  Keywords: carbon reduction-pollution reduction-green expansion-growth; improved CCD; coupling coordination; synergistic development; spatial correlation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10081371
   
  

Special Issue on: Joint Implications of Circular Economy and Digital Transformation for Resilient Business Ecosystems

• Redefining EU competitiveness: unlocking the power of digitalisation, institutional quality, environmental factors and human capital in shaping a sustainable future  
  by Bernard Vaníček, Tomáš Fišera, Jan Stejskal 
  Abstract: In todays turbulent times, understanding sustainable competitiveness is crucial. This study fills important gaps in existing research by examining the integrated relationship between digitalisation, environmental factors, institutional quality and human capital in 24 EU countries, and using stepwise regression to identify significant factors influencing the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI). This study contributes by developing a holistic framework that integrates drivers of sustainable competitiveness, addressing the limitations of prior research that examined these factors in isolation. Practically, it offers policy recommendations tailored to different EU country groups based on their sustainability and economic performance. Findings reveal that government effectiveness negatively impacts low-GSCI-growth countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland and Romania), while environmental factors, particularly circular economy material flows, drive high-GSCI-growth nations (France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain). These insights emphasise the need for targeted policies, including digital infrastructure improvements, circular economy support, and institutional reforms, particularly for lower-performing countries, to enhance sustainable competitiveness.
  Keywords: sustainable competitiveness; digitalisation; institutional quality; environmental factors; human capital.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2025.10072648
   
  
• The impact of institutional quality on environmental sustainability: evidence from ASEAN countries  
  by Lien Do Thi Hoa, Phuong Hoang Vo Hang 
  Abstract: The article evaluates the influence of national institutional quality, as represented by the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), on the load capacity factor (LCF), which serves as an indicator of environmental sustainability. Employing panel data regression methodologies, the study analyses data from nine developing ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) spanning the years 2002 to 2021. The PCA method was utilised to synthesise multiple representative factors of institutional quality into a single institutional quality index. The research data was analysed using pooled OLS, FEM, REM and FGLS techniques. The findings demonstrate significant relationships among the variables under investigation. Notably, the variable representing institutional quality exerts a negative and statistically significant effect on environmental sustainability within the ASEAN region. Based on these results, the article articulates various policy implications aimed at enhancing institutional quality across multiple dimensions, thus striving to improve environmental outcomes in the context of economic growth and foreign direct investment within developing ASEAN countries.
  Keywords: institutional quality; environmental sustainability; ASEAN.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10077678
   
  
• Philippines transition to carbon neutrality: a review of emission trends, nature-based climate solutions, low-carbon policies, and financing mechanisms  
  by Monaliza Joy Zaragoza-Magsayo, Hernando P. Bacosa 
  Abstract: This review paper integrates various themes to examine the Philippines pathway to a carbon-neutral future. Energy, agriculture, and transportation are the primary contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to continued reliance on fossil fuels. The countrys nature-based climate solutions (NbCS), must be scaled-up, particularly mangrove forests, that centres on community-based forest management (CBFM). Sustained investment, enhanced institutional support, and broader implementation of these ecosystem-based solutions help maximise their potential. The low-carbon technologies and policy frameworks face recurring issues, including fossil fuel dependence, high investment costs, fragmented policies, and reliance on international funding. To advance carbon financing mechanisms, coordinated policies, simplified bureaucratic procedures, multiple funding sources, and investments in advanced technologies are imperative. The findings are relevant to policy discussions on how the Philippines can advance sector-wide reduction emissions including the integration of NbCs into the countrys national action plan, strengthening policies, and financing mechanisms for decarbonisation and climate targets.
  Keywords: carbon neutral; emission; nature-based climate solutions; low-carbon; carbon financing mechanisms.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10078267
   
  
• Sustainability in the family business in the context of industry, ecology and succession  
  by Mariana Sedliačiková, Jiří Strouhal, Martin Halász, Denisa Malá, Hussam Musa 
  Abstract: Family businesses play a crucial role in the global economy, serving as a cornerstone for economic stability and growth. Long-term orientation and adaptability highlight relevance in addressing global challenges. Recent EU and Slovak government initiatives underline the importance of supporting family businesses to enhance sustainability and competitiveness. The main goal of the research was to identify the sustainability of family business in Slovakia from the point of view of three aspects: sustainability in industry, ecological sustainability and succession. The methodological tool was a questionnaire survey. Established hypotheses were tested using the Test of the relative abundance and Interval estimation of the relative abundance. The findings indicate that Slovak family firms recognize the strategic imperative of sustainability, but implementation strategies remain nascent, restricted mainly to basic waste management rather than holistic practices. A significant proportion lack eco-certifications, highlighting potential for ecological advancements and effective succession solutions.
  Keywords: sustainability; family business; ecology; industry; succession.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2026.10080086