Financial development and geopolitical risks can significantly affect sustainable development. However, the roles of these factors in sustainable development are rarely investigated. Thus, this study takes into account the role of geopolitical risk while exploring the effects of financial development, natural resource rents, and eco-innovation on sustainable development in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. To this end, yearly data from 1990 to 2019 is analyzed using advanced econometric tests. The Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) results indicate that financial development and eco-innovation are significantly and positively related to sustainable development. Natural resource rents have a detrimental impact on sustainable development which confirms the presence of the resource curse hypothesis in OECD countries. Furthermore, the results revealed that controlling geopolitical risk is useful in fostering sustainable development. Lastly, the panel Granger causality test unveiled one-way causality from financial development, eco-innovation, natural resource rents, and geopolitical risk to sustainable development. Moreover, causalities are found from geopolitical risk to financial development, eco-innovation and natural resources. These findings suggest that OECD countries should prioritize financial development and eco-innovation policies for sustainable development while mitigating the negative effects of natural resource rents. The geopolitical risk can harm sustainable development, so policymakers should promote international cooperation and risk-sharing.

• Klíčová slova
• Financial development, Geopolitical risk, Green innovation, Resource richness, Sustainable development,
• MeSH
• ekonomický rozvoj MeSH
• oxid uhličitý MeSH
• přírodní zdroje * MeSH
• trvale udržitelný rozvoj * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• oxid uhličitý MeSH

The increased demands and dependence on depleted oil reserves, accompanied by global warming and climate change have driven the world to explore and develop new strategies for global sustainable development. Among sustainable biomass sources, microalgae represent a promising alternative to fossil fuel and can contribute to the achievement of important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article has reviewed the various applications of microalgal biomass that includes (i) the use in aquaculture and its sustainability; (ii) commercial value and emerging extraction strategies of carotenoids; (iii) biofuels from microalgae and their application in internal combustion engines; (iv) the use and reuse of water in microalgae cultivation; and (v) microalgae biotechnology as a key factor to assist SDGs. The future prospects and challenges on the microalgae circular bio economy, issues with regard to the scale-up and water demand in microalgae cultivation are also highlighted.

• Klíčová slova
• Aquafeed, Carotenoids, IC engines, Sustainability, Sustainable development goals,
• MeSH
• biomasa MeSH
• biopaliva MeSH
• mikrořasy * MeSH
• trvale udržitelný rozvoj MeSH
• voda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biopaliva MeSH
• voda MeSH

Assistive technologies are critical to supporting the participation and engagement of persons with disabilities and others who experience functional difficulties in daily life. Assistive products have been demonstrated to be related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); however, no previous research has explored the relationship between assistive technology (AT) and the SDGs from the perspective of stakeholder organisations working in the field of AT provision. In this study, we evaluated the relevance of AT and the SDGs to achieving the organisational missions of key stakeholders in AT ecosystem in Malawi. Key stakeholders (n = 36) in the AT field in Malawi were asked to rate the relevance of AT to achieving their organisational missions, and the relevance of AT to each of the 17 SDGs on a 5-point Likert scale. Stakeholders who participated were engaged in consultative meetings with the government and an action research team as part of a larger policy development project, and represented ministries and government agencies, organisations of persons with disabilities, and local and international non-governmental organisations. AT was rated as being relevant to all of the SDGs, albeit to varying degrees, and not surprisingly to achieving AT stakeholders' organisational missions. The cross-cutting nature of the relevance of AT underscores the importance of cross-ministerial cooperation and shared leadership in provision AT.

• Klíčová slova
• Assistive technology, collective leadership, global health, health policy, sustainable development goals,
• MeSH
• celosvětové zdraví MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pomůcky pro sebeobsluhu * MeSH
• trvale udržitelný rozvoj * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Malawi MeSH

Plastic waste circularity is a priority at a global level. Sustainable development goals (SDGs) set the ways to go, and the circular economy principles underlined the 'green' strategies to be employed. However, in practice, there is still much to do, especially in developing countries, where open burning and open dumping still represent the common way of plastic waste disposal. This review aims to analyse current plastic waste circular approaches in low-middle income settings. Seven countries were selected based on the economic level and data availability from the authors, and analysed to collect and critically discuss the actions implemented at a city level. Examples of waste minimization and recycling strategies, selective collection systems and public campaigns are reported from Africa, Asia and Latin America. First, a background analysis related to physical and governance aspects of municipal solid waste management systems of the chosen settings was conducted. The assessment was focused on the treatment processes or minimization actions. Then, the applicability of the projects to achieve the SDGs was commented on. The outcomes of the research underline the need to: (1) scale up small-scale and pilot projects, (2) disseminate good practices in more low- to middle-income settings, (3) create synergies among international partners for further replications in cities. Urgent solutions to plastic waste pollution are needed. The review presented practical actions to be implemented now to boost plastic waste circularity in developing cities.

• Klíčová slova
• Solid waste management, circular economy, informal recycling, sustainable development, waste pickers, waste valorization,
• MeSH
• cíle MeSH
• nakládání s odpady * metody   MeSH
• odpadky - odstraňování * metody   ekonomika   MeSH
• plastické hmoty * MeSH
• recyklace * metody   MeSH
• rozvojové země * MeSH
• trvale udržitelný rozvoj * MeSH
• tuhý odpad analýza   MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Asie MeSH
• Latinská Amerika MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Názvy látek
• plastické hmoty * MeSH
• tuhý odpad MeSH

Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of people in India. The majority of the population in India is dependent (directly or indirectly) on agriculture as an occupation. The agriculture sector requires more freshwater and power for better yield in the current scenario. Nevertheless, the ever-increasing rate of energy consumption, limited fossil fuels, and rising pollution have made the expansion of renewable resources essential. Due to the suitable solar potential available in India, the deployment of solar energy has been more as compared to other renewable resources. The current study aims to discuss the various technologies, initiatives and policies of solar energy usage in agriculture. This work delivers an assessment of the advancement of solar energy vis-à-vis agricultural applications through the greenhouse concept and photovoltaic approach in India. Various agricultural applications of solar energy, such as solar water desalination system, solar water pumping system, solar crop dryer system for food safety, etc. are discussed as a means to promote solar-based technology. It also highlights the scenario of solar energy in India with important accomplishments, developmental approaches, and future potential. In-depth studies of various policies and government initiatives including those in research and development are also discussed. The current survey on solar technologies will be an aid to agribusiness frameworks to comprehend the statuses, obstructions, and extent of advancement. Finally, some future recommendations for further developments in this approach are discussed. This work sheds light on varied areas of solar energy-assisted agricultural systems as a potentially sustainable and eco-friendly pathway.

• Klíčová slova
• Agriculture, Future potential, Government initiatives, Indian context, Policies, Solar energy,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• sluneční záření MeSH
• technologie MeSH
• trvale udržitelný rozvoj * MeSH
• voda MeSH
• zemědělství * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• voda MeSH

COVID-19 pandemic has shown that sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems is essential for the basic life needs of humankind. Logistics problems, shortage of resources and goods, a crisis of traditional energy systems, all these COVID-19 caused problems show that available resources should be used with caution. This paper is an introduction article to the Virtual Special Issue that discusses some of the latest developments in three research topic areas, namely Energy, Water and Environment. These research topics emerged from the four Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conferences held in 2020. The purpose of the introduction article is to provide a brief introduction to the field and the articles included in this Journal of Cleaner Production Virtual Special Issue.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, Energy systems, Environmental assessment, SDEWES, Sustainable development, Water and wastewater,
• Publikační typ
• úvodníky MeSH

Waste has emerged as a pressing concern for the environment, primarily stemming from the processes of urbanization and industrialization. The substantial volumes of waste generated pose a serious threat to the environment, as they spread out harmful substances in the soil and release methane emissions into the atmosphere. To effectively address this issue, this study explores the impact of municipal and industrial waste, as well as waste-related innovation on the load capacity factor (LCF) from 2005 to 2020. For this purpose, the augmented mean group method and the half panel jackknife causality approach were conducted by using panel data from 17 European countries. The empirical findings show that (1) the load capacity curve (LCC) hypothesis is confirmed; (2) municipal and industrial waste have a detrimental effect on the LCF; and (3) innovation in waste management practices have no discernible impact on the LCF. In light of these findings, this study emphasizes the importance of efficient waste management for European countries to exploit the potential of waste as a valuable resource rather than a cause of pollution.

• Klíčová slova
• circular economy, industrial waste, load capacity factor, municipal waste, waste management innovation,
• MeSH
• Evropská unie * MeSH
• nakládání s odpady * metody   MeSH
• patenty jako téma MeSH
• průmyslový odpad * analýza   MeSH
• trvale udržitelný rozvoj * MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Názvy látek
• průmyslový odpad * MeSH

Implementing measures by the European countries within the framework of the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement should ensure an enlarged share in energy production from alternative energy sources and the introduction of new alternative energy capacities, which would provide an annual decrease in carbon dioxide emissions growth rate, reduce anthropogenic pressure on the natural environment and the use of non-renewable natural resources while preserving biodiversity. This paper aims at forming a system of indicators of sustainable transformation of the energy sector and studying their influence on the policy of environmental-oriented development. The paper applies Ward's method for determining the optimal cluster number and discriminant analysis for checking which variables significantly influence the formation of countries' clusters. The six clusters of countries obtained describe the different features of decarbonisation and climate change mitigation policies. Using discriminant analysis helped to single out the most relevant indicators of the energy sector's transformation in the direction of its decarbonisation and climate change mitigation. The most significant indicators (energy efficiency, electricity production capacities for renewables and wastes, and share of energy from renewable sources) largely determine the pace and features of forming sustainable development strategies for the energy sector. By highlighting the relevant cluster groups in the study, their characteristic features, and ways of transformational processes in the energy sector were discovered. This enabled the authors to form specific directions for strengthening and activating the processes of decarbonisation of the energy sector and climate change mitigation. There outcomes can become the basis for further research and the formation of appropriate strategies for sustainable development and transformation of the energy sector. The results stemming from this study could help scholars and other affiliated persons determine future strategies for research for implementing Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

• Klíčová slova
• Cluster analysis, Energy sector, Renewable energy, Sustainable transformation,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have placed great emphasis on the need for much greater social inclusion, and on making deliberate efforts to reach marginalized groups. People with disabilities are often marginalized through their lack of access to a range of services and opportunities. Assistive products can help people overcome impairments and barriers enabling them to be active, participating and productive members of society. Assistive products are vital for people with disabilities, frailty and chronic illnesses; and for those with mental health problems, and gradual cognitive and physical decline characteristic of aging populations. This paper illustrates how the achievement of each of the 17 SDGs can be facilitated by the use of assistive products. Without promoting the availability of assistive products the SDGs cannot be achieved equitably. We highlight how assistive products can be considered as both a mediator and a moderator of SDG achievement. We also briefly describe how the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) is working to promote greater access to assistive products on a global scale.

• Klíčová slova
• Assistive products, Assistive technology, GATE, Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology, Limitations, People with disabilities, SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals,
• MeSH
• celosvětové zdraví normy   trendy   MeSH
• cíle * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pomůcky pro sebeobsluhu normy   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• postižení zákonodárství a právo   MeSH
• zachování přírodních zdrojů metody   trendy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

This study was conducted to evaluate public awareness about COVID with aimed to check public strategies against COVID-19. A semi structured questionnaire was collected and the data was analyzed using some statistical tools (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). We started by looking at the known causal linkages between the different variables to see if they matched up with the hypotheses that had been proposed. Next, for this reason, we ran a 5,000-sample bootstrapping test to assess how strongly our findings corroborated the null hypothesis. PLS-SEM direct path analysis revealed HRP -> PA-COVID, HI -> PA-COVID, MU -> PA-COVID, PM -> PA-COVID, SD -> PA-COVID. These findings provide credence to the acceptance of hypotheses H1, H3, and H5, but reject hypothesis H2. We have also examined control factors such as respondents' age, gender, and level of education. Age was found to have a positive correlation with PA-COVID, while mean gender and education level were found to not correlate at all with PA-COVID. However, age can be a useful control variable, as a more seasoned individual is likely to have a better understanding of COVID and its effects on independent variables. Study results revealed a small moderation effect in the relationships between understudy independent and dependent variables. Education significantly moderates the relationship of PA-COVID associated with MU, PH, SD, RP, PM, PA-COVID, depicts the moderation role of education on the relationship between MU*Education->PA-COVID, HI*Education->PA.COVID, SD*Education->PA.COVID, HRP*Education->PA.COVID, PM*Education -> PA.COVID. The artificial neural network (ANN) model we've developed for spreading information about COVID-19 (PA-COVID) follows in the footsteps of previous studies. The root means the square of the errors (RMSE). Validity measures how well a model can predict a certain result. With RMSE values of 0.424 for training and 0.394 for testing, we observed that our ANN model for public awareness of COVID-19 (PA-COVID) had a strong predictive ability. Based on the sensitivity analysis results, we determined that PA. COVID had the highest relative normalized relevance for our sample (100%). These factors were then followed by MU (54.6%), HI (11.1%), SD (100.0%), HRP (28.5%), and PM (64.6%) were likewise shown to be the least important factors for consumers in developing countries struggling with diseases caused by contaminated water. In addition, a specific approach was used to construct a goodness-of-fit coefficient to evaluate the performance of the ANN models. The study will aid in the implementation of effective monitoring and public policies to promote the health of local people.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, Pakistan, SEM-ANN, health, protective measures, public, public awareness about COVID-19, social distance,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neuronové sítě MeSH
• trvale udržitelný rozvoj MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH