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This study explores the role of information technology (IT) in supporting sustainability efforts in Saudi Arabia. Through an analysis of four case studies, we examine how technology has been implemented by Saudi Arabian companies to advance sustainability goals. The findings demonstrate a notable shift towards green initiatives in the country, with the adoption of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and artificial intelligence. These technologies have been instrumental in enhancing energy efficiency and waste reduction. The study highlights the significance of policy interventions and public-private partnerships in achieving both environmental sustainability and economic growth. To ensure widespread adoption of sustainable practices, it is crucial for the government to focus on building digital capacity in companies and removing technological barriers. The case studies of four companies serve as illustrative examples of sustainable practices and the corresponding technological support in Saudi Arabia. The research underscores the importance of leveraging information technology and collaboration to accelerate progress towards the nation's sustainability goals.

Platform-based companies are rapidly emerging and occupy major positions in the global market. In addition, the business model that relies on digital technology makes platform-based companies sustainable. This paper empirically examines the impact of internationalization breadth on corporate performance and explores the moderating role of the platform enterprise network effect and innovation investment. Annual panel data from listed Chinese platform-based companies between 2012 to 2020 were used to also verify the scale of overseas companies’ association and social networks and the moderating effect of centrality and innovation research and development (R&D) investment on these two factors. The results indicate that the irregular internationalization rhythm of platform-based companies was negatively correlated with corporate performance, and the association network and the social network centrality of overseas companies had a positive moderating effect. Innovative R&D investment could help platform-based companies expand overseas to improve their corporate performance, and its moderating effect was more significant for platform companies in the early stages of internationalization. In terms of the internationalization pace, overseas network construction, and innovative R&D investment strategies, this paper provides valuable suggestions for platform-based companies to expand internationally and improve their corporate performance.

A key determinant and outcome of successful environmental education is ‘pro-environmental behavior’, i.e., behavior that involves conscious action to mitigate adverse environmental impacts at personal or community level, e.g., reducing resource consumption and waste generation, avoiding toxic substances, and organizing community awareness initiatives. However, some theorists have sought to move away from rationalist models of behavioral modification, towards holistic pedagogical initiatives that seek to develop action competence. In light of the global push towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emerging evidence suggests that education initiatives should foster action competence so students may be equipped to contribute to sustainable development as part of their education. The UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Roadmap 2030 has also identified key priority areas to strengthen ESD in formal curricula. This article reports two informal environmental education initiatives for promoting action competence and pro-environmental behaviors in school-aged children. The authors recommend that formal education settings (e.g., schools) should incorporate self-directed, free-choice project-based learning to augment environmental education programs and promote students’ action competence for contribution to attainment of SDGs. To this end, we propose a Free-Choice Project-based Learning for Action Competence in Sustainable Development (ACiSD) Curriculum, comprising six implementation dimensions, namely: (1) project duration and teaming arrangements, (2) topic selection, (3) student support, (4) teacher support, (5) learning environments, and (6) digital access and equity. For each implementation dimension, we recommend action steps to help educators implement this curriculum in their own educational settings, with the aid of an illustrative worked example.

The study aimed to determine Aluminum sludge composition and structure for its valorisation as an alternative natural material for heavy metals removal from wastewater for further reuse as treated water in different applications. The study was conducted to investigate the introduction of Al-bearing sludge composition. The physical and chemical properties were examined using X-ray diffraction tests (XRD), scanning electron microscope tests (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared tests (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller tests (BET). Furthermore, the heavy metal concentrations of synthetic wastewater were measured using the spectrophotometry method. The experimental procedure is based on testing different pH limits and amounts of aluminum sludge to find the optimum conditions for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) removal. The results demonstrated a high removal efficiency where its value reached up to 97.4% and 96.6% for Zn and Cu, respectively, in an acidic medium (pH = 6) using a relatively high amount of sludge (1400 mg). Nevertheless, a low efficiency was obtained in the strongly acidic medium (pH = 4) and a smaller sludge amount of about 480 mg.

The volume of e-waste generated worldwide is surging, and it is set to escalate further due to continuing technological innovation and the early obsolescence of most electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Even though there are many studies on e-waste management, the environmental and health consequences of e-waste regarding direct exposure during informal recycling and indirect exposure through environmental contamination are poorly studied. This study analyses the environmental and health consequences of e-waste dumping and informal recycling practices in selected countries such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and Pakistan. Several databases, such as Science Direct, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Emerald, were used to analyse studies from 2005 to 2022. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, 179 journal articles were evaluated. This study found that the majority of e-waste is poorly managed in terms of ecological safety and soundness. This study also found that illegal dumping, acid leaching, and open burning, which are practices that harm the environment and the well-being of e-waste workers, are still being performed by the selected countries. This study provides several practical suggestions for addressing the environmental and health consequences of e-waste dumping and recycling.

Bamboo is a natural biodegradable material used as a strength-bearing material that operates for system works, formwork supporting stands, structural members in low-rise houses, props, framing, bridges, laminated flooring, facades, walls, roofs, and trusses. Over recent years, there has been an increased demand for bamboo, considering sustainable construction practices. Exploring bamboo’s physical and mechanical behaviour is essential to develop innovative construction methods and design guidelines. Therefore, this paper aims to review the studies on bamboo culms’ material properties and physical behaviour, considering the load-bearing capacity and structural adequacy. This study summarises the physical and mechanical properties of a wide array of bamboo species grown worldwide. Mechanical properties such as compressive, tensile, flexural, shear, and bucking strengths are explored, highlighting the key findings in previous experimental works. Results have indicated a significant variability in bamboo’s material and mechanical properties considering the growth conditions, location along a culm, geometric imperfections and environmental conditions. In addition to material and mechanical properties, structural bamboo connections, engineered bamboo products, and preservative treatment of bamboo are also investigated. The construction industry can utilise the summary of the findings of this study to develop design guidelines for sustainable bamboo construction. Overall, this paper presents an overview of structural capability and drawbacks for future research and development using bamboo in modern construction.

This paper provides an overview of insights and lessons learned from nearly 20 years of running a Master’s unit called Leadership in Sustainability and how it has been used to foster change agents in small business enterprises, as well as other parts of our economy and community. The unit is based on five ‘C’ pillars, which are discussed in this paper to show how the teaching was able to assist potential leaders in their journey towards sustainability. Collective Wisdom is the theory of how leaders have used their imagination to solve collective ‘wicked problems’ and how sustainability requires such wisdom. The unit covers such theory from innovation, complexity, leadership, management and sustainability literatures, and the students are required to show they used this in solving a problem. Conversations are the main tool that is used because only through integrating diverse opinions have solutions been found to such problems as sustainability. The unit is based around case studies from leaders (including SMEs) who have approached sustainability from various perspectives, and conversations were created with the leaders to illustrate this. Creativity is introduced as a tool that draws upon different layers of perspectives on how to tackle wicked problems, as well as facilitating the breadth of conversations and actions required to solve them. The unit requires students to make a creativity contribution and the teachers provide assistance in how to make this work. Contemplation is designed to show how leadership requires reflection to enable the creativity and conversations to reach the depth and breadth required. The unit introduces students to the Theory-U tools to help instil the link between creativity and reflection or contemplation in addressing sustainability challenges and enabling leadership that creates change in personal, organizational and social systems. Finally, Courage is shown as a necessary part of the role of a leader in sustainability to make the magic of collective and creative solutions, based on conversations and contemplation, come to life through a demonstration-based transition.

Identifying local energy sources and devising a circular economy could improve self-sufficiency in many Pacific Islands. On the islands with significant agriculture, the residue from the cultivation of plants has promising energy potential. The waste stream is another potential source of energy that otherwise should undergo proper treatment. Additionally, cold-storage capacity improves the preservation of crops and increases the agricultural exports of these islands. This study proposes a combined cooling and power (CCP) system driven by biomass from agriculture residue and waste streams as fuel for different districts in Tonga. The units supply a fraction of the districts’ electricity demand and provide sufficient cold-storage capacity to preserve the prospective yield of a fraction of fallow lands. The technical and economic performance of the CCP units was analysed for different fractions of electricity demand and fallow land exploitation in each district during a year of operation. The results show that the optimum combination of the CCP units supplies 38% of the total electricity demand of Tonga and prevents the annual consumption of 7.4 million litres of diesel and emission of 20 kilotonnes of CO2. In addition, it provides 3700 m2 of cold-storage area, which is sufficient for preserving the prospective yield of the exploitation of 27% of the total fallow land of Tonga. Annual export revenue of about AU$10 million is expected from such a cold-storage capacity for Tongan farmers. Furthermore, the units consume 10,000 tonnes of annual waste, significantly reducing waste management costs. This study presents an example of a comprehensive circular-economy solution for a remote island state that improves its socioeconomic and environmental condition by supplying the community’s local needs from its available and abundant resources under a viable business model. The solution presented in this study can be adapted to many island communities with significant agriculture in the economy and crucial energy and cooling needs.