Browsing by Author "Lange Salvia, Amanda"
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- Assessing climate change and health provisions among staff in higher education institutions: a preliminary investigationPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Lange Salvia, Amanda; Sierra, Javier; Vasconcelos, Helena; Henderson-Wilson, Claire; Diatta, Samo; Kumar, T. V. Lakshmi; Meirelles, Maria Gabriela; Carvalho, FernandaClimate change can have direct and indirect effects on human health. Direct effects can include an increase in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and floods, as well as an increase in the spread of vector-borne and infectious diseases, which may lead to a set of health problems and diseases. Indirect effects can include changes in air quality, water availability, and food production and distribution. These changes can lead to an increase in respiratory problems, malnutrition, and increased food insecurity. There is a perceived need to investigate the extent to which Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are engaged in efforts to foster a greater understanding of the connections between climate change and health. In this context, this preliminary investigation offers an overview of the relationships between climate change and health. By means of a survey among teaching staff and researchers at HEIs from 42 countries across all continents working on the connection between climate change and health. The study has investigated the extent to which current provisions for education and training on the connection between climate change and health are being considered and how current needs in terms of policy development, research, and training are being met. A series of case studies illustrate how universities worldwide are actively developing strategies and implementing measures to address climate change and health. The study concludes by providing specific recommendations aimed at facilitating the handling of issues related to climate change and health in a higher education context.
- Handling climate change education at universities: an overviewPublication . Filho, Walter Leal; Sima, Mihaela; Sharifi, Ayyoob; Luetz, Johannes M.; Lange Salvia, Amanda; Mifsud, Mark; Olooto, Felicia; Djekic, Ilija; Anholon, Rosley; Rampasso, Izabela Simon; Donkor, Felix Kwabena; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Klavins, Maris; Finnveden, Göran; Chari, Martin Munashe; Molthan-Hill, Petra; Mifsud, Alexandra; Sen, Salil K; Lokupitiya, ErandathieBackground Climate change is a problem which is global in nature, and whose effects go across a wide range of disciplines. It is therefore important that this theme is taken into account as part of universities´ teaching and research programs. Methods A three-tiered approach was used, consisting of a bibliometric analysis, an online survey and a set of case studies, which allow a profile to be built, as to how a sample of universities from 45 countries handle climate change as part of their teaching programs. Results This paper reports on a study which aimed at identifying the extent to which matters related to climate change are addressed within the teaching and research practices at universities, with a focus on the training needs of teaching staff. It consists of a bibliometric analysis, combined with an online worldwide survey aimed at ascertaining the degree of involvement from universities in reducing their own carbon footprint, and the ways they offer training provisions on the topic. This is complemented by a set of 12 case studies from universities round the world, illustrating current trends on how universities handle climate change. Apart from reporting on the outcomes of the study, the paper highlights what some universities are doing to handle climate issues, and discusses the implications of the research.. Conclusions The paper lists some items via which universities may better educate and train their students on how to handle the many challenges posed by climate change.
- Policy gaps and opportunities in bio-based plastics: implications for sustainable food packagingPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Barbir, Jelena; Venkatesan, Madhavi; Lange Salvia, Amanda; Dobri, Andrea; Bošković, Neda; Henrique, João Paulino Pires Eustachio; Ingram, Ian; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThe increasing use of bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics reflects a global push towards more sustainable materials. In the context of food packaging, where plastic waste and contamination risks are acute, these materials offer promising alternatives. However, the transition is complex, requiring coordinated regulatory interventions and lifecycle assessments (LCA) to avoid unintended environmental and health consequences. This paper outlines the pressing need for policies that guide the development and deployment of bio-based plastics in food-related applications. It provides a policy-oriented synthesis focused on Europe and discusses recent concerns such as toxicity, end-of-life impacts, and food safety. The study draws from the literature review and regulatory analysis to suggest policy mechanisms that can accelerate safe, circular solutions in food packaging. Methodologically, this communication uses qualitative synthesis of scientific and regulatory data to assess gaps and align innovations with sustainability targets.
- Promoting gender equality across the sustainable development goalsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Kovaleva, Marina; Tsani, Stella; Țîrcă, Diana-Mihaela; Shiel, Chris; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Nicolau, Melanie; Sima, Mihaela; Fritzen, Barbara; Lange Salvia, Amanda; Minhas, Aprajita; Kozlova, Valerija; Doni, Federica; Spiteri, Jane; Gupta, Tanushka; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Sharma, Mohit; Barbir, Jelena; Shulla, Kalterina; Bhandari, Medani P.; Tripathi, ShivGender issues, and gender equality in particular, can be regarded as cross-cutting issues in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), even though it is unclear how they are taken into account. This study addresses this information gap by performing an assessment of the emphasis on gender issues across all the other 16 SDGs, in addition to SDG5, through a literature review and case study analysis, the basis for the newly developed framework, highlighting specific actions associated to each SDG. The 13 countries addressed in the 16 case studies include China, India, or Australia and illustrate the inclusion of SDG5 into the SDGs. Using an SDG matrix, the SDG targets are analysed. Those where an emphasis on gender equality is important in allowing them to be achieved are listed. The novelty of our approach resides in offering an in-depth analysis of how gender issues interact with the other SDGs, proposing a new analysis framework clearly identifying SDGs 1, 4, 11, 12, 14 and 16 demanding further attention for successful SD gender implementation and illustrating specific areas where further actions may be necessary, which may be used by policy-makers, raising further awareness on gender equality contribution to achieve the SDGs. A set of recommendations aimed at placing gender matters more centrally in the SDGs delivery are presented as a final contribution. These focus on the need for greater awareness and attention to good practices, to achieve successful implementation initiatives.
- When the alarm bells ring: Why the UN sustainable development goals may not be achieved by 2030Publication . Leal Filho, Walter; Viera Trevisan, Laís; Simon Rampasso, Izabela; Anholon, Rosley; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Londero Brandli, Luciana; Sierra, Javier; Lange Salvia, Amanda; Pretorius, Rudi; Nicolau, Melanie; Paulino Pires Eustachio, João Henrique; Mazutti, JanainaWhen the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were agreed upon by the UN General Assembly in 2015, and subsequently endorsed by most UN Member States, there was a sense of optimism in respect of their timely implementation by 2030. This optimism has now become a concern. This is due to the fact that a combination of unfavourable circumstances and crises have so severely undermined the pursuit of the SDGs, that there are serious concerns about the probability of their achievement by 2030. This paper reports on an expert-driven literature review of the implementation of the SDGs and a bibliometric analysis, aimed at identifying some of the issues which have been slowing SDGs’ progress. Based on the information gathered, it suggests some specific measures which may be deployed, in order to accelerate their implementation by 2030.