The Future of Sustainable Development: Welcome to the European Journal of Sustainable Development Research
Marc A. Rosen
EUROPEAN J SUSTAINAB DEV, Volume 1, Issue 1, Article No: 1
https://doi.org/10.20897/ejosdr.201701
Editorial
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ABSTRACT
Sustainable development is an objective for humanity of crucial importance to how we develop and evolve. It is also a rapidly growing discipline that is becoming increasingly applied in numerous areas, reflecting humanity's desire to ensure its activities can be sustained into the future and do not adversely affect the ecology or environment.
Sustainable development is often defined based on the 1987 statement of the World Commission on Environment and Development (i.e., the Brundtland Commission). In that milestone document, sustainable development was defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." But new definitions are being developed as the discipline expands and becomes more multidisciplinary and complex.
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Sustainable Development: A Vital Quest
Marc A. Rosen
EUROPEAN J SUSTAINAB DEV, Volume 1, Issue 1, Article No: 2
https://doi.org/10.20897/ejosdr.201702
Research Article
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[References]
ABSTRACT
A high-level overview of the discipline of sustainable development is presented, aimed at providing the context and setting for research on and applications of sustainable development, in this lead article to a new journal. The status of sustainable development and its progress are described, as are challenges and needs that may impact its development. Definitions of sustainable development and its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary dimensions are discussed and contrasted with single-discipline approaches. Examples of interpretations and needs for sustainable development are provided from such fields as energy, resource management, and engineering. Attitudes towards sustainable development are investigated, as is progress. Finally, an illustrative case study is described of a large sustainable development initiative, comprised of several integrated measures and activities.
Keywords: sustainable development, environmental sustainable development, social sustainable development, economic sustainable development, sustainability
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European Food and Drink Wholesalers and Sustainability
Peter Jones, Daphne Comfort, David Hillier
EUROPEAN J SUSTAINAB DEV, Volume 1, Issue 1, Article No: 3
https://doi.org/10.20897/ejosdr.201703
Research Article
[Abstract]
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ABSTRACT
Purpose- The aim of this paper is to review and reflect on the sustainability agendas and achievements reported by Europe's leading food and drinks wholesalers.
Design/Methodology/Approach- The paper begins with a short introduction to corporate sustainability, sustainability reporting and food and drinks wholesaling within Europe and the empirical material for the paper is drawn from reports and information posted on the leading food and drinks wholesalers' corporate websites.
Findings- There are marked variations in the extent to which Europe's leading food and drinks wholesalers reported and provided information on their sustainability agendas and achievements. These agendas and achievements embraced a wide range of environmental, social and economic issues but the reporting process had a number of weaknesses that undermine its transparency and credibility. The authors also argue that the leading food and drinks wholesalers' definitions of, and commitments to, sustainability are principally driven by business imperatives as by any fundamental concern to maintain the viability and integrity of natural and social capital. More critically the authors argue that this approach is couched within existing business models centred on continuing growth and consumption
Limitations- The paper is a preliminary review of the sustainability agendas and achievements publicly reported by Europe's leading food and drinks wholesalers.
Originality- The role of Europe's wholesale sector in addressing sustainability has received scant attention in the academic literature and this paper will interest academics and students in business management and marketing and employees and executives working in the distribution sector of the economy.
Keywords: corporate sustainability, European food and drinks wholesalers, economic growth, sustainable consumption
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Women and the Environment: Ecofeministic Approach to Environmental Attitudes and Behavior in Iran
Fahimeh Hosseinnezhad
EUROPEAN J SUSTAINAB DEV, Volume 1, Issue 1, Article No: 4
https://doi.org/10.20897/ejosdr.201704
Research Article
[Abstract]
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ABSTRACT
In the contemporary world industry, urbanization, and capitalism have destroyed the environment on such a large-scale that to solve this problem would require expensive and long-term treatments. Public participation is a low-cost way to address these issues. Women are able to protect the environment because some of the environment's problems begin from the home. The current research is using the survey based on quantitative research method to investigate the theory of ecofeminism, the attitudes and behaviors of women and men regarding the environment. Data collected thorugh questionnaire and multiple choice questions. Results of this study show that women pay more attention to the environment. Efficient consumption of energy, use of public transport, waste separation, reuse of certain goods, and the avoidance of waste dumping in the environment are significant for women, but men show little interest in these behaviors. Women are more supportive of the environment than men are.
Keywords: ecofeminism, environment, behavior, attitude
Identification of Skills Needed for Central Areas of Green and Low-Carbon Economy, for the Needs of Labor Market, in Finland
Tove Holm, Pauli Vennervirta, Tapani Pöykkö, Eeva Hämeenoja, Nina Teirasvuo
EUROPEAN J SUSTAINAB DEV, Volume 1, Issue 1, Article No: 5
https://doi.org/10.20897/ejosdr.201705
Research Article
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ABSTRACT
EU has set sustainable growth as a goal for 2020, by which a transition to a more resource efficient greener and competitive economy should be achieved. This requires new skills in business life. We have studied how vocational education and training and higher education may serve as a promoter of a green and low-carbon economy in Finland. Based on results from interviews of companies three main areas were chosen. These areas were decentralized renewable energy production, use of organic by-products and promotion of energy efficiency in properties. Education in vocational education and training and universities of applied sciences, for the selected areas, was mapped in 2014-15. The results were presented on workshops, where knowledge supply chains for a green economy on the selected areas were developed. If was found that cooperation between different fields and levels of education is important, as the new skills often emerge at the interfaces.
Keywords: Baltic Sea region, bioeconomy, Finland, higher education, vocational education and training