Sustinere: Journal of Environment and Sustainability
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Gender dynamics of civil society organizations and climate justice in the extractive industry in Nigeria
No full textThe extractive sector in Nigeria has contributed to diverse forms of social injustice, with little known about the gender dynamics that limit civil societies and organizations that advocate for climate justice within the sector. This paper analysed the effect of gender issues on climate justice advocacy in the extractive industry in Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to non-governmental, community-based, and social enterprise organizations across the six geopolitical zones. In total, 67 civil society organizations operating in multiple states and zones were analysed. Regression analysis shows that gendered systemic and cultural issues significantly influence the advocacy activities of these organizations, particularly gendered access to information (t = 5.22), funding (t = 2.24), cultural and social norms (t = 3.33), and marginalization (t = 5.50). The findings highlight how gender barriers shape climate justice efforts in the extractive industry. Failure to address the systemic and cultural barriers that limit organizations’ effectiveness undermines both advocacy efforts and women’s agency in the extractive rural communities. This paper suggests the need to create an equitable environment for both men and women involved in climate justice within the extractive industry to ensure the sustainability of livelihoods in extraction-affected communities
Effect of ammonium/phosphate molar ratio on struvite production via electrolysis using a sacrificial magnesium anode
No full textExcessive ammonium and phosphate levels in aquatic environments potentially cause eutrophication, leading to water quality imbalance, algal blooming, and disturbance of biodiversity status. Electrolysis using a sacrificial magnesium anode effectively removes and recovers ammonium and phosphate, producing struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O). The present study investigated the optimum current density and the effect of the ammonium/phosphate molar ratio on struvite production. The current density was controlled at 10, 50, and 100 mA/cm2. An artificial wastewater containing [NH4+]:[PO43-] in a molar ratio of 1:10, 1:1, and 10:1 was used as the test solution. The optimum current density was determined as 50 mA/cm2. The ammonium and phosphate reduction ratios at a 1:1 molar ratio was approximately 46.91% and 74.26%, respectively. Increasing the ammonium molarity in the test solution to 10:1 increased the phosphate reduction ratio to 96.38% while decreasing the ammonium reduction ratio to 26.28%. The maximum precipitation of 4.1914 g was generated at a molar ratio of 10:1 with a specific energy consumption of 0.011 Wh/mg-P, out of the three ammonium/phosphate molar ratio variations. Microscopes and SEM-EDS were used to characterize the precipitates produced, and Visual MINTEQ 3.1 was then used for modeling
Renewable energy pathways in Indonesia\u27s long-term strategy for low carbon and climate resilience 2050
No full textThis paper explores renewable energy pathways in Indonesia’s Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon and Climate Resilience (LTS-LCCR) 2050, assessing their potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and support long-term economic sustainability. A comparative scenario analysis, Business-as-Usual (BAU) versus a low-carbon scenario, was conducted using projections of capacity growth, emissions reduction, and techno-economic performance. Net Present Value (NPV) and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) were calculated for solar PV, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and biomass. Results show that biomass and geothermal provide the lowest LCOEs due to high-capacity factors, while solar PV and wind benefit from declining technology costs. Under the low-carbon scenario, GHG emissions are reduced by nearly 50% by 2050 compared to BAU, averaging about 10 million tones CO₂-equivalent per year. Sensitivity analysis identifies investment cost and capacity factor as the most critical variables. The findings highlight that targeted policy incentives, infrastructure investment, and region-specific planning are essential to accelerate Indonesia’s clean energy transition and achieve national climate goals
Mobility paradox in compact cities: Rethinking energy equity in tropical informal settlements
No full textInformal settlements in tropical urban areas present a complex paradox in energy performance: although characterized by compact urban form, they often exhibit significant thermal inefficiencies, inadequate daylighting, unsustainable material choices, and constrained spatial walkability. This study examines the multidimensional energy and mobility performance of buildings within the dense kampung area of Notoprajan, Yogyakarta, using an integrated analytical framework encompassing operational energy consumption, embodied energy assessment, spatial daylight autonomy (sDA and cDA) evaluation, and walkability metrics. Drawing on empirical field data and advanced digital simulation methods, this research reveals that high urban density does not inherently guarantee energy efficiency, thereby challenging conventional assumptions about compact urban development. Operational energy consumption in small-scale hospitality establishments was found to be nearly three times higher than that of single-family residential units, while material composition demonstrated profound influence on embodied energy profiles across the settlement. Critically, only 6% of surveyed buildings achieved the minimum sDA₃₀₀,₅₀% standard, and 18% met the cDA₃₀₀,₅₀% threshold, underscoring severe daylighting deficiencies. These findings underscore the imperative for passive design strategies, material substitution approaches, integrated spatial planning interventions, and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure to achieve sustainable retrofitting and promote energy equity in informal tropical urban contexts
Exploring technology acceptance factors for improving waste management: Lessons from Bandung waste bank
No full textWaste management in urban areas of developing countries faces numerous challenges, including high waste generation, inadequate infrastructure, and low public engagement. Community-based initiatives such as waste banks have emerged as a promising solution. However, their effectiveness depends on technology adoption to ensure accurate data and efficient operations. This study aims to explore the factors influencing the adoption of the SMASH application in waste banks in Bandung, Indonesia, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A qualitative case study approach was applied through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with waste bank managers, government officials, and application developers, complemented by document analysis and selected closed-ended questions. The findings indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and intention to use are relatively high. However, actual system usage remains low, with only a small proportion of waste banks actively applying the system. Barriers include limited digital literacy, lack of mandatory regulation, insufficient training, and technical issues such as the need for manual price updates. The study concludes that while TAM is valid in explaining adoption intentions, contextual factors significantly influence actual usage. Strengthening regulation, integrating digital systems, and providing continuous technical support are essential to improving technology adoption in waste banks
Sustainable building: Achieving thermal comfort in hot and humid climate using building performance simulation
No full textThe scientific community has established a clear link between the built environment and various environmental problems. Various strategies have been implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of buildings and to address broader environmental challenges. One such strategy is the adoption of sustainable building practices. Among the factors contributing to the environmental impacts of buildings, efforts to achieve thermal comfort play significant role. Particularly due to the energy consumption involved. At the same time, thermal comfort is also a critical factor influencing human productivity, including academic performance. Comfortable learning environments are known to enhance students’ learning outcomes. This research presents a case analysis conducted at State Elementary School 91 Sipatana, Gorontalo City, Indonesia. Measurements were carried out on December 24, 2022, from 06.00 to 18.00. Room temperature was recorded using an Elitech GSP-6 data logger, and further simulations were carried out using Ladybugs and Honeybees. The purpose of this study is to evaluate building performance in achieving thermal comfort by considering solar radiation exposure, roof surface temperature, room temperature, and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) values. Comparisons were made across different building materials, including variation in roofing, wall types, and ventilation systems. The wall in the existing structure are composed of concrete with a fiber wall. The findings highlight the impact of roofing materials, wall construction, and ventilation on the PMV, roof surface temperature, and indoor air temperature. Based on-site measurements, the average classroom temperature was 30.5°C. Among the simulation configurations, Model 3 which featured a metal roof with a cool roof technology, concrete walls, and added ventilation demonstrated the best thermal performance. It maintained a roof surface temperature just above 25°C and an indoor air temperature close to 30°C, showing the effectiveness of cool roof technology and adequate ventilation in reducing heat accumulation
Flood early warning systems for landlocked countries: A study in Chikwawa District in Malawi
No full textThis study addresses a critical gap in the understanding of Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) within landlocked, resource-constrained contexts by focusing on Chikwawa District, Malawi. The study moved beyond descriptive accounts to provide a nuanced analysis grounding the inquiry into disaster risk reduction theory to assess both the operational and community-level effectiveness of current systems. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research combines quantitative data from 204 household surveys with qualitative insights from four key informant interviews to triangulate the assessment of flood preparedness, warning dissemination, and community response capabilities. The findings reveal that, while national agencies have established relatively robust monitoring frameworks, significant challenges persist in the final-mile communication loop, resulting in a notable disparity between warning issuance and effective community action. Specifically, issues such as a lack of trust in official messages, inconsistent communication channels, and the absence of well-defined evacuation routes critically hinder the system\u27s overall efficacy. By integrating geographical analysis with on-the-ground perspectives, this paper provides a more complete picture of the obstacles to effective FEWS. The study\u27s key policy implications include the need for more localised and tailored communication strategies, community-based drills to foster trust, and targeted infrastructure investments to enhance last-mile delivery and response capabilities. This work contributes to academic literature by offering a theoretically grounded case study from a landlocked perspective, enriching the global discourse on flood resilience
Factors influencing food waste behavior: A study on college students in Medan City, Indonesia
No full textOne of the world’s environmental problems is food waste. This problem is closely related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal on sustainable production and consumption. Food waste affects not only environmental aspects but also the social and economic aspects, it is often driven by individual behavior. This study aims to calculate the percentage of food waste based on nutrition classification and to analyze factors influencing the food waste behavior. A survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 134 college students. The variables examined included socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Binary logistic regression was applied for data analysis. This results show carbohydrates-rich foods such as rice, noodles and bread were the most commonly wasted items among college students in Medan. Furthermore, the factors influencing food waste behavior were dining out behavior, promotions or discounts, food expenditure, diet programs and eating frequency. Taking leftovers home and reheating them were the most common practices used by students to reduce food waste. In addition, the government should formulate policies and regulations on food waste management to help reduce food waste in Medan City
Pathways to prosperity: Sustainable livelihoods in organic-product micro, small, and medium enterprises
No full textResearch on the sustainability of organic-product micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in secondary cities remains limited, especially after pandemic-driven shifts in demand and distribution. In 2022, we conducted a census of all active organic-product MSMEs in Malang Raya (four firms) and collected data through remote semi-structured interviews and a RAPFISH sustainability assessment with a 1-5 scoring scheme. Data were gathered via WhatsApp text messages and scheduled voice calls, involving one key informant from each firm and three additional members (total n = 7). Multi-Dimensional Scaling was used to profile performance across the five Sustainable Livelihoods Approach asset dimensions, while Leverage analysis identified the attributes with the strongest influence. Public assets ranked lowest, with transport and mobility for certification and market access emerging as binding constraints, while the remaining dimensions met sufficient sustainability criteria. Interviews documented clear demand shifts: sales of organic goats at a boarding-school enterprise rose by approximately 40%; selected herbal and staple products increased by 25% to 47%; and one certified firm experienced a 60% increase in turnover in the first year, followed by a 40% decline in the second. Overall, operations continued, sustainability was constrained by deficits in public assets. The findings highlight the need to prioritize improvement in transport and logistics, streamlining certification processes, and complement these interventions with working-capital support and targeted digital-capability enhancements
Effect of spent engine oil pollution and liquid organic fertilizer application on soil chemical properties and nutrient contents of Maize (Zea Mays)
No full textA trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of spent engine oil (SEO), bio-treated with liquid organic fertilizer, on maize plant growth. The study utilized three concentrations of SEO (0.5 and 10% w/w) and four liquid organic fertilizers (water control, cattle dung, poultry manure and rabbit manure). These factors were arranged in a 3 × 4 factorial setup with three replications in a completely randomized design. Collected data included percentage moisture, dry weight, nutrient content and uptake, heavy metal concentration, and post-harvest soil chemical properties. Soil composite samples on physical and chemical analysis carried out show that the engine oil pollution negatively affected soil pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable cations, but it increased total organic carbon before maize cultivation. The percentage moisture and dry weight of the maize plant were not significantly (p > 0.5) influenced by engine oil pollution or liquid organic fertilizer application. N, P and Mg content of maize plant were significantly reduced by the engine oil pollution but significantly boosted by organic fertilizer application. Cr and Pb content of the maize were increased with engine oil concentration but decreased with liquid organic fertilizer. Nutrient uptake was decreased with increase in engine oil content but increased with liquid organic fertilizer application. At the end of the experiment, engine oil pollution significantly depressed pH, total N, available P and exchangeable cations, but increased organic C, total hydrocarbon, exchangeable Al and heavy metal content while it was opposite for liquid organic fertilizer. Our findings suggested that soils polluted with SEO should be corrected with the application of organic fertilizers