Thriving Sustainably Redefining Business Ecosystems Through the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Social Impact Statement Plant biostimulants are substances that are obtained from a variety of sources and are applied in minute quantities to enhance plant growth and vigor. In this review, we detail how the use of plant biostimulants may contribute to efforts to achieving a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We describe how the incorporation of plant biostimulants could have both environmental and societal benefits, from increasing food security, potentially improving soil health, and enhancing economic cooperation. However, to fully exploit the potential of plant biostimulants, consistency in performance as well as a broader awareness is essential to their adoption and integration into common agricultural practices. Summary Plant biostimulants (PBs) have been shown to increase crop yield, quality, improve nutrient uptake and tolerance to abiotic stress. They have previously been proposed as innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, with the global market currently exceeding $3 billion and projected to triple within the next decade due to climate change challenges and growing awareness of their potential. The Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by world leaders in 2015, set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets and 330 indicators to be achieved by 2030, providing a blueprint for a fairer and more sustainable society. Interest in PBs has expanded significantly in recent years, and they are increasingly described as environmentally friendly tools that can be integrated into conventional agricultural practices to improve crop performance. Their use can directly support societal‐based SDGs: Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and environmental SDGs: Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life on Land (SDG 15). They may also indirectly contribute to Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). PBs promote a more sustainable approach to agriculture by mitigating abiotic stress, increasing nutrient use efficiency, and enhancing soil health. This article highlights how PBs can contribute to achieving some of the SDGs and international climate targets such as the Paris Climate Agreement while also underscoring the need for more systematic and coordinated research to strengthen the evidence base, optimize their effectiveness, and support wider adoption.

Mapping sustainability reporting research with the UN's sustainable development goal

This paper considers noise and its control in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social equity, and the UN SDGs describe the major development challenges in these pursuits. The SDG Framework comprises 17 broad goals, that cover a wide range of issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate, responsible consumption, and production, amongst others. Although noise and its management are not clearly identified in any of the 17 goals, this paper posits that noise is an issue cross-cutting through almost all of the goals. Through the lens of the SDGs, this paper summarizes how a failure to adequately address noise presents a significant challenge to the realization of sustainable development. This paper considers noise and its control, in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity, and the UN SDGs describe the major development challenges in these pursuits. The SDG Framework comprises of 17 broad goals, that cover a wide range of issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate, responsible consumption and production, amongst others. Although noise and its management are not clearly identified in any of the 17 goals, this paper posits that noise is an issue cross-cutting through almost all of the goals. Through the lens of the SDGs, this paper summarizes how a failure to address noise presents a significant challenge to the realization of these goals.

Purpose This study examines the integration of data analytics and sustainability within Malaysian accounting education grounded by experiential learning theory (ELT) and constructivist learning theory. It aims to bridge the gap between student competencies, industry expectations and institutional curricula, offering a structured framework for comparable international business education contexts. The study aligns accounting programmes with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) Competency Framework and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation standards. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a mixed-methods exploratory sequential design, this study combined a survey of 350 undergraduate accounting students across UniSZA, UMT and UMK with responses from 100 industry stakeholders. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests and regression analysis, while qualitative data, including interviews, focus groups and document analysis, were thematically coded and triangulated. Findings Results reveal strong student proficiency in Excel but significant weaknesses in advanced analytics (Power BI, Tableau and Python) and sustainability literacy. Employers emphasised the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, anomaly detection and carbon accounting, identifying substantial gaps in graduate readiness. Regression analysis confirmed that digital competency significantly predicts sustainability literacy and employability readiness. Qualitative findings highlighted institutional barriers, including curriculum overload, limited faculty training and insufficient academic−industry collaboration. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to three East Coast Malaysian universities and relied on cross-sectional, self-reported data. Longitudinal and cross-country studies are recommended to enhance generalisability and test the framework’s applicability across diverse contexts. Practical implications The framework provides curriculum designers and educators with a roadmap to embed analytics within existing accounting courses, thereby addressing curriculum overload without increasing credit hours. For policymakers, it aligns with Malaysia’s Digital Economy Blueprint and the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) agenda. For the industry, it supports the cultivation of future accountants capable of leveraging analytics to enhance ESG assurance, sustainable finance and integrated reporting. Social implications By equipping graduates with both digital and sustainability competencies, the framework contributes to achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), while fostering partnerships for sustainability (SDG 17) through stronger university−industry collaboration. Originality/value This study provides one of the first empirical examinations of how Malaysian accounting curricula can integrate analytics and sustainability to achieve SDG-aligned outcomes. Offering a locally grounded yet globally relevant three-tier framework advances the sustainability literature in higher education while providing actionable insights for universities, regulators and industry stakeholders.

Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels is the German publishers and booksellers association. Sustainability and working towards achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are top priorities for the organization. This includes the aim of reducing carbon emissions. Börsenverein is a member of the International Publishers Association, the Federation of European Publishers and the European and International Booksellers Federation as well as a corresponding member of STM and collaborates with all these associations in its work on sustainability. At the domestic level, Börsenverein has established a Sustainability Working Group with three task forces to lead its efforts, focusing on promoting the book sector’s achievement of selected SDGs, such as SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). At the same time, the book sector has an outstanding role and opportunity in promoting other SDGs through the works it publishes, distributes, and makes accessible to readers. Börsenverein strives to foster the positive impacts of this “carbon handprint” on SDGs such as SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Concrete first steps include an external sustainability audit, member-facing events, and a conference.

Although gold mining multinational or transnational companies continue to profit from their activities in resource endowed developing countries, the gap between company profits and social and environmental justice in these resource rich developing countries is a subject of intense debate. This debate is especially heightened when the gap is examined in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper employs the Environmental Justice concept to assess the activities of the Goldfields Damang mining company in Ghana vis‐à‐vis the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Drawing on primary data from semi‐structured interviews (n = 22) and secondary sources, the paper finds that the negative impacts of gold mining do not conform with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially goals 2, 6, 14 and 15. The study makes two recommendations: First, policies on land tenure and the Mineral and Mining Act need revisions to incorporate more rights for indigenous people; second, existing structures and legislation that spells out compensation and land dispossession practices must be revised thoroughly to align with the UN sustainable development goals. The paper concludes by considering the theoretical and policy implications of the findings for strengthening mining laws and policies in Ghana.

Significance. World Health Organization correlates breastfeeding with at least eight out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, in the Russian Federation breastfeeding issues are not reflected in any of the Federal programs of the national projects “Demography” and “Health Care”. Purpose of the study: to scientifically substantiate the need for including measures to encourage and maintain breastfeeding in the Russian national programs related to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, based on the analysis of modern literature. Material and methods. The study included sources available from the English-language database PubMed. A total of 57 sources were selected out of 317 findings by keywords “human milk composition and bioactivity”, “breastfeeding and Sustainable Development Goals”, “breastfeeding short-term and long-term benefits” and “breastfeeding and potential lives saved”. Results. The study revealed unique biologically active components of the human milk and mechanisms of their impact on prevention of infectious and non-communicable diseases as well as programming of health in adult life. Breastfeeding has a positive impact on mothers’ and children’ health. The increased rate of breastfeeding could globally prevent 823,000 or 13.8% of deaths among children under 2 yearly and 22216 deaths from breast cancer among women. Lack of breastfeeding is associated with lower intelligence and higher economic costs adding up to about $ 302 billion annually, or 0.49% of the world's gross national income. There are unfavorable trends in prevalence and duration of breastfeeding worldwide. The healthcare has a leading role to play in implementing measures to encourage and maintain breastfeeding. Conclusion. It is necessary to incorporate measures to encourage and maintain breastfeeding in the Russian national programs related to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Implementation and further development of the WHO/UNICEF “Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative” in the Russian Federation can become the cornerstone in increasing the level of breastfeeding with the participation of the health sector. Scope of application. Executive and health authorities at all levels, mother and child health facilities, national programs

Every year, humanity is increasingly faced with a shortage of electricity on the one hand, and with an increase in greenhouse gas emissions after the generation of electricity at thermal power plants (TPPs), on the other. Energy is the dominant driver of climate change and accounts for about 60 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. The article is devoted to the analysis of renewable energy development in the Republic of Buryatia and Mongolia over the past 10 years. The constantly growing demand for electricity and relatively small energy capacities are forcing the Republic of Buryatia (to a greater extent) and Mongolia, which are limited in some types of economic activity, to look for new sources of energy. One of these restrictions is the ban on the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the rivers of the Baikal Lake basin. Therefore, Buryatia and Mongolia have embarked on the path of building environmentally friendly power plants and have succeeded in many ways. In last years, in connection with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on the development of infrastructure for the provision of affordable and clean energy (Goal 7), there has been a need to develop renewable energy sources. One of the priority areas for the development of renewable, including alternative, energy in Buryatia and Mongolia is solar, wind, hydro and geothermal energy. UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. As part of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, solar and wind power plants have been actively built in Buryatia and Mongolia over the past 10 years. Despite the high costs of their creation, the contribution to alternative energy is a long-term and profitable investment in infrastructure. At least investors (including foreign ones) investing in a seemingly lowprofit project look far into the future. Smart investors do not run after «quick money», realizing that the constructed power plants will pay off for a long time, since at the moment of development they have a relatively low efficiency. Despite the criticism, they are investing in green energy, modern infrastructure, and a future without emissions (CO2, NO2, SO2 and other Greenhouse gases) from burning coal, fuel oil and firewood. For the qualitative development of the economy, it is necessary, first of all, a balanced development of generating and network capacities, therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of shortage of electricity without a heavy burden on the environment only by developing alternative energy (renewable energy sources).

Possible directions of transformation of the state policy in the field of education of nurses in a narrow issue of end-of-life nursing care in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are identified. The 70th UN General Assembly where civic society organizations actively participated adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as part of the Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2015, which included 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals. Global Goal 4.7 stated: «By 2030 ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development». This Goal also applies to medical education (in particular, for nurses). The improvement of the content of this education is actual in the context of the implementation of medical reform in Ukraine. A content analysis of the international curriculum for nurses and its comparison with teaching documents implemented in medical colleges in Ukraine has been made. The program developed in the United States with active participation of civil society organisations has been found to be consistent with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.7. Comparing these documents, we can easily see Ukrainian curricula inconsistency with both international standards of nursing training and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These curricula form only a generalized understanding of the value of cultural diversity and human rights and do not include issues of social justice, inclusion, multidisciplinary cooperation etc. A content analysis of the Strategy for the Development of Medical Education in Ukraine, approved by the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 27th February, 2019, № 95-r, revealed that the document does not provide for the inclusion of aspects set out in Global Goal 4.7. Participation of citizens in development of national educational policy is the obligatory precondition for forming of the democratic society and encourages better compliance of educational programs with the needs of the population. It is argued that in the context of medical reform, it is necessary to change the approach to the content of medical education and the formation of the competence of nurses, in particular, in the field of end-of-life care in undergraduate education. Cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary cooperation is needed to develop quality training programs for nurses in line with international standards; this could be done in particular by involving civil society institutions in the process.

This paper aims to develop an integrated understanding of how meditation can enhance employee well-being, particularly in the context of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 8 of decent work. This paper aims to develop an integrated understanding of how meditation can enhance employee well-being, particularly in the context of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 8 of decent work. The research findings generate an integrated conceptual model illustrating how meditation reduces stress and positively impacts performance, relationships, and well-being in the workplace. The study highlights the relevance of meditation for promoting safe and healthy working environments. This study is among the first to link the practice of meditation directly to the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically focusing on decent work. The implications for incorporating meditation into educational curricula and workplace policies are also discussed.

Open educational resources (OER) and some of the United Nations sustainable development goals

The relevance of the topic of the article is due to the importance of the concept of sustainable development for the successful functioning of enterprises in the new reality. The purpose of the article is to analyze the concept of sustainable development in the projection of modern transformational trends. Tasks: to consider the evolution of the conceptual provisions of sustainable development; perform an analysis of the UN sustainable development goals in the context of the formation of the “green” agenda; assess the impact of the digital transformation trend on sustainable development goals; identify new opportunities for implementing the concept in a new reality; identify ESG transformation risks and digital transformation risks. Methods. System approach, logical analysis, synthesis. Results. In modern conditions of the functioning of economic systems, sustainable development goals are a guideline for developing strategies not only at the state level, but also at the level of individual companies; ESG transformation is a new vector of business development. As a result of the development of globalization and the strengthening of the influence of transnational corporations, the focus of the concept of sustainable development has shifted from the national level to the corporate one. The general direction of the ESG approach to managing the development of economic systems at all levels will be set by international trends. To the greatest extent, the UN Sustainable Development Goals correlate with the social criterion (11 goals), while the environmental criterion and the criterion of corporate governance account for 8 goals each. Full coincidence in all ESG criteria is observed for two goals (“Industrialization, innovation and infrastructure; “Responsible consumption and production”). The most significant for companies in the short term are environmental and social risks; in the long term, the most significant criterion is “assessment of climate risks at the asset level”. When developing and implementing corporate strategies, it is necessary to take into account ESG risks, as well as possible threats to economic security (resource substitution, growth of intellectual property, cyberattacks, industrial espionage). Findings. The updated concept of sustainable development makes it possible to ensure economic growth when it is balanced with the needs of society to improve the quality of life, prevent degradation of the natural environment, but subject to ensuring safety and security.

Conservation of biodiversity rich protected areas is essential, particularly where local communities are dependent on natural resources. This study assessed forest resource dependence and conservation attitudes among 467 resident village households and 283 migratory herders from April to October, 2023 in and around Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir Himalaya. Using semi-structured interviews and statistical analysis, we found both the groups depended considerably on the sanctuary for fuelwood, medicinal plants, fodder, and raw materials, with women primarily responsible for resource collection. Average daily fuelwood consumption was 13 kg for villagers and 17 kg for migratory herders. A significant negative association between resource use and distance from the sanctuary (χ2 = 404.78, p < .001) highlights the role of spatial access in shaping the dependence. Migratory herders demonstrated a more positive conservation attitude (64.7%) than resident villagers (32.3%), with differences influenced by resource utilization, and location. These findings underscore the complex interplay of factors shaping resource dependence and conservation perspectives. The study aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships) – and calls for integrated, community-informed conservation planning that balances ecological protection with the livelihood needs of forest-dependent populations.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the role of the information sphere and the science of «information law» in achieving Ukraine’s sustainable development goals in the context of digital transformation. The relevance of the study is determined by the need for theoretical substantiation of mechanisms for effectively combining digitalization processes with the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, especially in the context of Ukraine’s European integration aspirations and the challenges of martial law. The article analyzes the system-forming role of the information sphere in ensuring sustainable economic, social and environmental development. It is proven that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and big data systems, create powerful tools for optimizing resource use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the efficiency of various economic sectors. Special attention is paid to the impact of digitalization on achieving such key sustainable development goals as quality education, decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, and reducing inequality. The critically important role of information law as an interdisciplinary field of knowledge in providing legal support for digital transformation processes is revealed. The problems of legal regulation of complex legal relations in the digital environment are analyzed, including issues of personal data protection, cybersecurity, e-commerce and digital rights of citizens. Special attention is given to the analysis of specific conditions of Ukraine’s digital transformation in the context of martial law and European integration processes. Legislative initiatives of 2025 are examined, including laws on stable functioning of electronic communication networks, implementation of European norms in the field of electronic communications, creation of the Unified State Digital System for Recovery and Development. The significance of Ukraine’s integration into the EU’s single roaming zone and implementation of the Digital Development and Innovation Strategy until 2030 is analyzed. The article contains an analysis of challenges and prospects of Ukraine’s digital transformation, including limited infrastructure, the need to harmonize national legislation with European standards and ensure cybersecurity.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call for action to end poverty, protect our planet's environment and climate, and provide opportunities for all people to enjoy peace and prosperity. Decarbonizing the transport sector is key to achieving the UN and EU climate goals. Under the Paris Agreement, EU countries have committed to making the EU climate-neutral by 2050. To achieve the goal of net neutrality, EU countries have set a goal to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors (especially transport) by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to continue to gradually reduce emissions by 2050, when there should be zero greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors. The Regional Development Strategy, i.e. the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, aims to respond to the challenges of climate change and green transition and to help the countries of the Western Balkans harmonize environmental regulations with European standards and norms. Electric mobility and management of E mobility is becoming a decisive element in the smart and sustainable development of cities and local communities as one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The transition to electric mobility (e-mobility) in urban areas requires a combination of infrastructure, smart grid technologies, vehicle advances, and digital platforms to ensure efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability. Several cities around the world have successfully integrated e-mobility technologies into their urban transport systems. The paper analyses cities that showcase different aspects of electric mobility transformation, with a detailed analysis of the financial investments and economic benefits associated with e-mobility projects in each of the selected cities. Western Balkan cities are gradually adopting e-mobility solutions through subsidies for electric vehicles, expansion of charging infrastructure, electrification of public transport, and integration of micro-mobility. This paper analyses cities in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, the challenges in fully adopting e-mobility, and their efforts to implement smart and sustainable urban transport solutions.