Consumer Cooperation in Sustainability

2018 ◽  
pp. 112-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Njabulo Mkhize ◽  
Debbie Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
South African ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Green Behavior

The planet is under threat. Unless all stakeholders, that is governments, businesses, and consumers, become more environmentally friendly, some predict dire consequences for the earth and all those who inhabit it. While governments and businesses have a role to play, green consumer behavior is vital to the sustainability of the environment. Consumers have been shown to express increasing concern for the environment, but in many studies this concern has been found not to be matched by actions, a phenomenon labelled the green gap. This chapter describes a study that investigated the existence and extent of the green gap amongst a sample of South African adult consumers and sought to determine possible reasons for a lack of green behavior. Recommendations are made to marketers and policy makers to encourage consumer cooperation in environmental sustainability.

Consumer Cooperation in Sustainability

2019 ◽  
pp. 17-34
Author(s):  
Njabulo Mkhize ◽  
Debbie Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
South African ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Green Behavior

The planet is under threat. Unless all stakeholders, that is governments, businesses, and consumers, become more environmentally friendly, some predict dire consequences for the earth and all those who inhabit it. While governments and businesses have a role to play, green consumer behavior is vital to the sustainability of the environment. Consumers have been shown to express increasing concern for the environment, but in many studies this concern has been found not to be matched by actions, a phenomenon labelled the green gap. This chapter describes a study that investigated the existence and extent of the green gap amongst a sample of South African adult consumers and sought to determine possible reasons for a lack of green behavior. Recommendations are made to marketers and policy makers to encourage consumer cooperation in environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Mainstreaming Underutilized Indigenous and Traditional Crops into Food Systems: A South African Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi ◽  
Tendai Chibarabada ◽  
Vimbayi Chimonyo ◽  
Vongai Murugani ◽  
Laura Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Traditional Crops

Business as usual or transformative change? While the global agro-industrial food system is credited with increasing food production, availability and accessibility, it is also credited with giving birth to ‘new’ challenges such as malnutrition, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. We reviewed the potential of underutilized indigenous and traditional crops to bring about a transformative change to South Africa’s food system. South Africa has a dichotomous food system, characterized by a distinct, dominant agro-industrial, and, alternative, informal food system. This dichotomous food system has inadvertently undermined the development of smallholder producers. While the dominant agro-industrial food system has led to improvements in food supply, it has also resulted in significant trade-offs with agro-biodiversity, dietary diversity, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic stability, especially amongst the rural poor. This challenges South Africa’s ability to deliver on sustainable and healthy food systems under environmental change. The review proposes a transdisciplinary approach to mainstreaming underutilized indigenous and traditional crops into the food system, which offers real opportunities for developing a sustainable and healthy food system, while, at the same time, achieving societal goals such as employment creation, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. This process can be initiated by researchers translating existing evidence for informing policy-makers. Similarly, policy-makers need to acknowledge the divergence in the existing policies, and bring about policy convergence in pursuit of a food system which includes smallholder famers, and where underutilized indigenous and traditional crops are mainstreamed into the South African food system.

Beneficios tangibles e intangibles, imagen de responsabilidad social y el rendimiento en la inversión de las empresas certificadas “Verdes”

Oikos ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (31) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Carmen Vargas ◽  
Joanne Enid Díaz Rivera ◽  
Eulalia Márquez Martínez ◽  
Pablo A. Colón
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Return Of Investment ◽  
Intangible Benefits ◽  
Green Business ◽  
Green Behavior

RESUMENEste artículo presenta las ventajas posibles de una empresa cuando opta por certificarse como “Verde”. Se analizaron los beneficios de conductas verdes y el impacto en el medioambiente. Los resultados incluyeron el rendimiento en la inversión, el mantenimiento de la sustentabilidad ambiental, el fortalecimiento de la imagen empresarial, ahorros en los gastos de energía, agua y materiales, y el impacto positivo en el rol de responsabilidad social corporativa. La certificación de empresa “verde” establece un marco operacional en el que se cumple cabalmente con la visión y misión de la organización, con un impacto amigable para el ambiente.Palabras clave: certificación empresa “verde”, beneficios tangibles e intangibles, gestión ambiental, responsabilidad social Tangibles and intangibles benefits, social responsibility image, and the return of investment in the Green certified businessABSTRACTThis article presents the possible advantages of a business when it opts to be certified as “green”. The benefits of green behavior and its impact on the environment were analyzed. Findings included return on investment, maintenance of environmental sustainability, enhancement of business position, savings in energy, water and supplies expenses, and its positive impact on the corporation’s social responsibility role. Certification as a “green” business provides an operational framework in which the organization vision and mission are fully accomplished, with a friendly impact on the environment.Keywords: “Green” business certification, tangible and intangible benefits, environmental management, social responsibility

scholarly journals Towards Sustainable Private Labels in an Autonomous Community during COVID-19—Analysis of Consumer Behavior and Perception on the Example of Tenerife

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7467
Author(s):  
Maksymilian Czeczotko ◽  
Hanna Górska-Warsewicz ◽  
Wacław Laskowski ◽  
Barbara Rostecka
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Autonomous Community ◽  
Private Labels ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
And Cluster Analysis ◽  
Environmentally Friendly Production

Our study aimed to analyze consumer behavior and perception towards private labels (PLs) in Tenerife as an autonomous community during COVID-19, with special attention given to sustainability aspects. The research was conducted on a sample of 500 adults purchasing PLs using quota selection and the CAWI method. We formulated four research questions related to factors of PL choice, the relationship between frequency of PL purchases, consumers’ age and income, perceived changes in PLs, and evaluation of PL products including sustainability. The latter research question referred to such product characteristics as local and environmentally friendly production, organic production, and production according to traditional technologies using only natural ingredients. For a detailed analysis of consumer behavior, we used Pearson’s chi-square test, the rho-Spearman correlation coefficient, and cluster analysis. The most important factors for purchasing PL products were lower prices compared to leading brands, attachment to a given chain, and the feeling of safety and trust in PL products. The frequency of purchase of PL food products, except for alcohol, significantly negatively correlates with age, which means that the purchase of PLs from the analyzed product categories decreases with age. The increased availability and improved image and quality of PLs were identified as the most important changes in PLs. PL food products were rated by consumers as fresh, minimally processed and with quality certificates. Environmentally friendly production methods, nutritional value, and origin from an area close to home were also indicated.

Towards an AIDS-free generation by 2030: how are South African children, adolescents, caregivers and health care workers coping with HIV?

2021 ◽  
pp. 008124632199217
Author(s):  
Yogan Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Free Generation ◽  
Living With Hiv

We are committed to an AIDS free generation by 2030 – nine short years away. This article reflects on the global and South African data on new infections, total number of children and adolescents living with HIV as well as data on vertical transmission. The article includes the voices of key stakeholders in the quest to end HIV in children so that lessons from their experiences can be used by policy makers in strengthening services.

scholarly journals A Novel and Efficient Metal Oxide Fluoride Absorbent for Drinking Water Safety and Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 883
Author(s):  
Changjuan Dong ◽  
Xiaomei Wu ◽  
Zhanyi Gao ◽  
Peiling Yang ◽  
Mohd Yawar Ali Khan
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Langmuir Model ◽  
Maximum Adsorption Capacity ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Solution Ph

Inefficient and non-environmentally friendly absorbent production can lead to much resource waste and go against low carbon and sustainable development. A novel and efficient Mg-Fe-Ce (MFC) complex metal oxide absorbent of fluoride ion (F−) removal was proposed for safe, environmentally friendly, and sustainable drinking water management. A series of optimization and preparation processes for the adsorbent and batch experiments (e.g., effects of solution pH, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, effects of coexisting anions, as well as surface properties tests) were carried out to analyze the characteristics of the adsorbent. The results indicated that optimum removal of F− occurred in a pH range of 4–5.5, and higher adsorption performances also happened under neutral pH conditions. The kinetic data under 10 and 50 mg·g−1 were found to be suitable for the pseudo-second-order adsorption rate model, and the two-site Langmuir model was ideal for adsorption isotherm data as compared to the one-site Langmuir model. According to the two-site Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity calculated at pH 7.0 ± 0.2 was 204 mg·g−1. The adsorption of F− was not affected by the presence of sulfate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), and chloride (Cl−), which was suitable for practical applications in drinking water with high F− concentration. The MFC adsorbent has an amorphous structure, and there was an exchange reaction between OH− and F−. The novel MFC adsorbent was proven to have higher efficiency, better economy, and environmental sustainability, and be more environmentally friendly.

scholarly journals Role of Urban Greening Strategies for Environmental Sustainability—A Review and Assessment in the Context of Saudi Arabian Megacities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6457
Author(s):  
Abdullah Addas ◽  
Ahmad Maghrabi
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Saudi Arabian ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Design Management ◽  
Urban Greening ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

The review and assessment of urban greening patterns play a crucial role in sustainable urban planning and green spaces (GSs) management, helping to improve human well-being. In recent years, various methods and strategies were applied to examine the relationship between GSs and environmental sustainability, but so far, no studies on systematic review and empirical assessments were carried out in Saudi Arabian context. Thus, a comprehensive review and assessment of current GSs patterns and planning strategies are important for achieving urban environmental sustainability. This study aims to assess spatial pattern of GSs across the cities and a bibliographic review on the urban greening strategies in the Saudi context. These six urban strategies were further supported from empirical evidence on Saudi cities. Geographical information system (GIS) techniques and questionnaire surveys were performed for spatial mapping of GSs and the perceived role of GSs strategies of the respondent to environmental sustainability across cities. The findings showed that (i) highest PCGS was reported from Dammam (5.4 m2) followed by Riyadh (1.18 m2), and Jeddah (0.5 m2); (ii) most of the respondents use GSs for picnic (59%), mental well-being (53%), and physical activities (47%), respectively; (iii) GSs play a significant role for local climate regulation such as temperature control (78%) and UHI reduction (81%), and GSs provide thermal comfort (84%), respectively; and (iv) 40% respondents do not use GSs due to the lack of availability, accessibility, design, management, and safety of GSs. Thus, such findings of the study surely assist planners and policy makers to understand and implement the suggested GSs strategies to meet the satisfaction level of the respondents as well as to manage GSs at neighborhood and city level for urban environmental sustainability.

Financial Inclusion and CO2 Emissions in Asia: Implications for Environmental Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahzad Hussain ◽  
Tanveer Ahmad ◽  
Syed Jawad Hussain Shahzad
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Causality Test ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Sustainable Economic Growth ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract We examine the relationship between financial inclusion and carbon emissions. For this purpose, we develop a composite indicator of financial inclusion based on a broad set of attributes through principal component analysis (PCA) for 26 countries in the Asia region. Our robust panel regression analysis reveals a significant positive long-term impact of financial inclusion on carbon emissions. The pairwise causality test reveals unidirectional long-term causality running from financial inclusion to carbon emissions. The study suggests that policy makers may design policies that integrate accessible financial systems into climate change adaptation strategies in order to neutralize the side effect of financial inclusion deteriorating environmental quality and inclusive sustainable economic growth. JEL ClassificationO16; O44, Q54

Conserving inequality: How private conservation and property developers ‘fix’ spatial injustice in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 251484862110663
Author(s):  
Lerato Thakholi ◽  
Bram Büscher
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Structural Inequality ◽  
Conservation Property ◽  
Private Profit ◽  
Ethnographic Data ◽  
Housing Estates ◽  
Property Developers

In 2016, South Africa launched its National Biodiversity Economy Strategy. This strategy aims to facilitate the development of a ‘wildlife economy’ as a solution to unemployment, loss of biodiversity and rural development. Central to the strategy is the role of private conservation actors, who keenly posit their commercial model as the best way to achieve these objectives. This stands in sharp contrast to recent critiques that suggest that private conservation reinforces structural inequality by denying access to land and perpetuating unjust labour conditions. Using ethnographic data from the South African Lowveld region that includes the Kruger National Park, the paper takes these points further by arguing that a rapidly growing alliance between private conservation and property developers actively conserve inequality by maintaining and even extending spatial injustice in the region. Two popular recent manifestations of this alliance in particular, share block systems that distribute ownership of access to real estate in private reserves and wildlife housing estates, have established new conservation-property linkages that entrench capitalist socioecological fixes. Not only do these initiatives lead to further engrained spatial injustice, we conclude that this conservation-property alliance at the centre of the ‘wildlife economy’ also willingly sacrifices environmental sustainability on the altar of white conservation imaginations and private profit.

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