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Inadequate and inconclusive studies of the role of transformational leadership (TL) on employee creative process engagement (CPE) and sustainable innovative work behaviour (IWB) have motivated the authors to further advance knowledge in this aspect of the workplace. In doing so, the present study seeks to extend the understanding of innovative work behaviour by the involvement of TL and its subordinates through engaging employees in the creative process. The authors adopted the deductive reasoning approach to measure the observed relationships using structural equation modelling (SEM) through SmartPLS 2, a second-generation integrated regression model for statistical measurement. The results from self-report and others’ reported questionnaires reveal that transformational leaders can engage their subordinates in the creative process and sustainable innovative outcomes by influencing employee intrinsic motivation and proactive behaviour. However, the mediating effect of CPE on TL and IWB is not supported. Lastly, the authors discuss the findings and contributions of these empirical findings in theory and practice. In addition to the potential implications of the examined results, this study also recommends directions for further research in the light of its limitations.

Abstract A renewable energy storage system is being proposed through a multi-disciplinary research project. This system utilizes reinforced concrete pile foundations to store renewable energy generated from solar panels attached to building structures. The renewable energy can be stored in the form of compressed air inside the pile foundation with a hollowed section. The pile foundation should resist complex combined actions including structural loads, soil effects, and pressures induced from the compressed air, and thus it requires a careful analysis and design considerations to secure a sufficient structural safety. This paper presents analytical investigation results on the structural responses of the energy piles under these combined loadings. The pile foundations were designed based on the current design practices for various building geometries including the number of stories and column spacing. The magnitude of air pressure was determined from the thermodynamic cycles for the available renewable energy for storage considering building and pile foundation geometries. Finite element analyses were conducted using an elastic 3D model to determine critical tensile stresses of the pile foundation. These critical tensile stresses were used to identify required reinforcement in the pile section. On this basis, several nonlinear finite element analyses were then conducted using inelastic constitutive models of materials to investigate the crack patterns of the hollowed concrete section. Recommendations were finally presented for proper practical designs of the pile foundation serving as the renewable energy storage medium.

The water-energy-food nexus is promoted as a new approach for research and policy-making. But what does the nexus mean in practice and what kinds of benefits does it bring? In this article we share our experiences with using a nexus approach in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake area. We conclude that water, energy and food security are very closely linked, both in the Tonle Sap and in the transboundary Mekong River Basin generally. The current drive for large-scale hydropower threatens water and food security at both local and national scales. Hence, the nexus provides a relevant starting point for promoting sustainable development in the Mekong. We also identify and discuss two parallel dimensions for the nexus, with one focusing on research and analysis and the other on integrated planning and cross-sectoral collaboration. In our study, the nexus approach was particularly useful in facilitating collaboration and stakeholder engagement. This was because the nexus approach clearly defines the main themes included in the process, and at the same time widens the discussion from mere water resource management into the broader aspects of water, energy and food security.

In the lead-up to the Paris climate change conference, the majority of the UN Member States submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions on carbon emissions reduction to be met by 2030. Kazakhstan is no exception. The government made pledges and, therefore, has to adapt its national policies and regulations to meet the set ambitious goals. In this regard, the role of residential building sector is of the utmost importance due to its significant share in the country’s energy consumption and carbon emissions profile. Thus, this study presents the types of residential buildings available and assesses how far they are from meeting the green building (GB) indicators set in various certification schemes and standards. This would help in suggesting practical steps to improve the sustainability levels of the residential building stock of Kazakhstan. This study collected a robust set of data on existing residential buildings in Astana, chosen as a case study location, classified them and, based on a developed checklist, evaluated their performance compared to GB standards. The study has found that old buildings tend to have a rather poor level of sustainability, whereas the sustainability of new buildings depends on the class of the building—steadily increasing from economy to premium class in all categories of the checklist. A detailed analysis of the results has led to the development of recommendations on how each type of building should be improved to meet the GB standards.

This article discusses issues related to the environmental problems in various sectors of the Central Kazakhstan’s economy at the present stage. It is emphasized that the level of environmental pollution is increasing along with industrial progress in coal, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, chemistry, engineering, and the growth of the transport highways network and numerous communications. The authors of the article give examples of how the transition to market mechanisms of economic development generated, on the one hand, the growth of the republic’s powerful economic potential. On the other hand, the increase in industrial production with energy and resource-intensive production has led to a real threat of an environmental crisis in the region. It is concluded that the solution of the environmental problem is possible by preserving and restoring natural systems, a complete social transition to sustainable development by practical implementation of the environmental concept, including natural-resource, techno-economic, demographic and sociocultural aspects. According to the authors, these measures will contribute to the way out of the current environmental crisis, a radical improvement of the environment, will be the key to preserving the ecology of space. The methodological basis of the study was the principle of scientific objectivity, which allowed to analyze the subject under study taking into account the realities of economic changes in the industry.

Abstract Kazakhstan is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in Central Asia. The country has a significant renewable energy potential from solar, wind, hydro and biomass. Despite this, very small amounts of alternative energy sources have been used. Renewable sources such as wind, solar, small hydro and bioenergy currently contribute less than 1% of the country's energy mix. The building sector in Kazakhstan accounts for 30% of final energy consumption. In this regard, the role of the construction industry is extremely important due to its significant share in energy consumption and carbon emissions. This paper presents the results of the development of Kazakhstan's Building Sustainability Assessment framework. Stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) method was employed to calculate and allocate weights of assessment categories and indicators in the assessment framework. The reliability of the developed framework was validated by comparing its performance sensitivity with fours rating systems, namely, BREEAM, LEED, CASBEE, and SBTool for the categories of the proposed framework. The output of the research can produce a useful reference to the green building policymakers in the country. Also, the proposed framework can be adapted for use in Kazakhstan’s neighboring countries which share similar climatic zones and conditions.

The environmental policies and the use of renewable energy are at the highest priority of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) plans and strategies, and the implementation of clean energy in the country is one of the recent environmental practices that would require more studies and investigation. Conducting this study will offer some valuable analyses and results that could be taking into consideration in the implementation of renewable and solar energy programs further to enacting the environmental legislations and policies to achieve the UAE’s target of reducing CO2 emissions 70% by 2050. This study aims to explore the capability of implementing the solar panel (PV) system on a large scale by adopting the ‘Solar Town’ program and policies developed by some of the leading countries such as Germany and Australia. Further to this, Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) was conducted to explore the benefit and the payback period of implementing this program. By calculating the CBA for each property within the community, it has been found that the PV energy system could cover an apartment’s electricity consumption with a 1.1 kW surplus, while it can cover only 60% of a villa’s electricity consumption.