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- An assessment of requirements in investments, new technologies, and infrastructures to achieve the SDGsPublication . Filho, Walter Leal; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Chen, Chen; Petrova, Maria; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Yang, Peter; Rogers, Steven; Álvarez-Castañón, Lorena; Djekic, Ilija; Sharifi, Ayyoob; Neiva, SamaraBackground The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires much planning and the provision of resources, especially regarding the necessary investments, technologies and infrastructures needed. Yet, it is presently unclear how available these elements are, what gaps exist, what changes have taken place in terms of their availability since the adoption of the SDGs and what their requirements will be in the future. The knowledge gap has become even more concerning because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a bibliometric analysis, an assessment of the global progress of SDG implementation and requirements, identifying challenges through the development of a matrix, and a set of 11 case studies to triangulate the holistic analysis, an assessment of the global progress of the SDGs implementation and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this process was carried out. Results The findings suggest that the scope and width of resources limitation are currently undermining the implementation of the SDGs. Apart from the fact that the pace of progress has been insufficient, the potential of the SDGs in pursuing sustainability and improving life quality is not fully realised. This trend suggests that a substantial acceleration of the efforts is needed, especially for the five SDGs whose progress since 2015 has not been optimal, namely SDG2, SDG11, SDG13, SDG15, and SDG16, while SDG3, SDG7, SDG9, SDG14, and SDG17 show signs of progress. The case studies showed that different industries have dissimilar effects on achieving the SDGs, with the food sector correlating with 15 SDGs, as opposed to the energy sector correlating with 6 SDGs. Accordingly, the priority level assessment in terms of achieving the SDGs, points to the need to further advance the above-mentioned five SDGs, i.e., 2, 11, 13, 15 and 16. Conclusions This study fills in a knowledge gap in respect of the current need for and availability of investments, new technologies, and infrastructures to allow countries to pursue the SDGs. It is suggested that this availability is rather limited in specific contexts. In respect of the needs to be addressed, these include resource-related constraints, limited technologies and infrastructures, affecting SDG2, SDG11, SDG13, SDG15, and SDG16, whose progress needs to be enhanced. Since the global progress in the process of implementation of the SDGs depends directly and indirectly on addressing the resource gaps, it is suggested that this topic be further investigated, so that the present imbalances in the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental, be adequately addressed.
- Sustainable policies and practices in energy, environment and health researchPublication . Filho, Walter Leal; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Dias, RicardoThis book aims to give a contribution to a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the cross-cutting issues on energy, environment and health research topics in the current world scenario, where nations all over the world are struggling to accomplish the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to ensure sustainable patterns for all. This interdisciplinary implies a commitment between all fields of science, working together to provide knowledge that could result in the promotion of quality of life. At the present, it is evident that not all people benefit from sustainable policies and practices and the communication between health, energy, environmental and social problems is undeniable. A call for different views could be a pathway attracting universities, stakeholders, organizations and civil society to deeply discuss how one solution does not fit all societies. Few publications are coherently handling this matter. This book is expected to fill this gap and to develop an interest in a larger audience working in general sustainable development and cross-cutting issues. This book is produced by the European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR). It gives special emphasis to state-of-the-art descriptions of approaches, methods, initiatives and projects from universities, stakeholders, organizations and civil society across the world, regarding cross-cutting issues in energy, environment and health research.
- Development of an innovative index to assess worker’s health risk: the WHRI applied to an oil industry in Bahia, BrazilPublication . Viterbo, Lilian Monteiro Ferrari; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Costa, André; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Filho, Walter LealPurpose: The objective of this study was to assess the worker’s health (WH) risk, focused on sustainable development in a work context and based on the development and application of the Worker’s Health Risk Index (WHRI) in the oil extraction and production industry in Bahia, Brazil. Design/methodology/approach: The sample, obtained by quota sampling, comprised 965 participants. The development stage integrated a group of 10 specialists, including physicians, nurses, nutritionists, dentists and physical educators, all specialists in the WH area, as well as 3 experts in the area of data science. Three risk ranges were defined: "Low", "Moderate" and "High". Findings: The WHRI validation revealed reliability and reproducibility, as well as the ability to identify differences among the population studied according to sex, age group and education level. The results indicate that the WH risk is higher in men, aged above 50 years old and with a low level of education (p < 0.001). 74% of the participants are in the "Low", 21% in the "Moderate" and 5% in the "High" risk ranges. High-risk workers are also those with diabetes mellitus, altered triglyceride or glycemia levels, hypertension, poor oral hygiene and periodontal conditions, tobacco use, low levels of physical activity (all with p < 0.05), or alcohol abuse. Originality/Value: The WHRI’s major contribution is to make available a useful tool for the identification of WH risk, helping to define clearer health promotion, prevention and intervention policies in the context of WH.
- PrefacePublication . Filho, Walter Leal; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Dias, RicardoPrefácio ao livro "Sustainable Policies and Practices in Energy, Environment and Health Research"
- Low carbon futures: assessing the status of decarbonisation efforts at universities within a 2050 perspectivePublication . Filho, Walter Leal; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Lambrechts, Wim; Vasconcelos, Claudio R. P.; Molthan-Hill, Petra; Abubakar, Ismaila Rimi; Dunk, Rachel M.; Salvia, Amanda Lange; Sharifi, AyyoobBackground The implementation of sustainability at universities means that they can also play a key role in the transition to a low carbon economy, and in assisting global efforts towards decarbonisation. Yet, not all of them have so far fully engaged in this area. This paper reviews the state of the art on trends in decarbonisation, and outlines the need for decarbonisation efforts at universities. It also reports on a survey aimed at ascertaining the extent to which universities in a sample of 40 countries across the various geographical regions are engaged in carbon reduction efforts, identifying the challenges faced. Results The study has shown that the literature on the topic has been evolving over time and that increasing a given university’s energy supply from renewable energy sources has been the cornerstone of university-based climate action plans. The study also indicates that even though several universities are concerned with their carbon footprint and actively seeking ways to reduce it, there are some institutional obstacles that need to be overcome. Conclusions A first conclusion which can be drawn is that efforts on decarbonisation are becoming more popular, with a special focus being placed on the use of renewable energy. Also, the study has shown that, from the range of efforts being made towards decarbonisation, many universities are setting up a team with carbon management responsibilities, have Carbon Management Policy Statements, and review them. The paper points towards some measures which may be deployed, so as to allow universities to take better advantage of the many opportunities an engagement in decarbonisation initiatives offers to them.
- Stay close to urban green spaces: current evidence on cultural ecosystem services provisionPublication . Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Patoilo Teixeira, Catarina; Dias, Ricardo; Fernandes, Cláudia; Filho, Walter Leal; Barros, Nelson; Maia, Rui LeandroResearch suggests that access to urban green spaces (UGS) is crucial to support public and environmental health through ecosystem services (ES) provision. However, Cultural ecosystem services (CES), due to their connections to human emotion, a deep meaning, fulfilment, and motivation, have been less studied. CES provision in UGS are central to well-being, contributing to improving mental and physical health outcomes, as well as enhancing social cohesion. Accordingly, this systematic review aims to contribute to a better understanding of CES provision by UGS.
- Clustering public urban green spaces through ecosystem services potential: a typology proposal for place-based interventionsPublication . Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dias, Ricardo; Patoilo Teixeira, Catarina; Fernandes, Cláudia; Filho, Walter Leal; Barros, Nelson; Maia, Rui LeandroPublic Urban Green Spaces (PUGS) are the main drivers for increasing the quality of urban environments, potentiating local resilience, promoting sustainable lifestyles, as well as improving both the health and well-being of their users. Municipal leaders are responsible for the maintenance of PUGS. However, current evidence identifies limited knowledge about urban green infrastructure governance since the lack of data about PUGS is the main obstacle to effective intervention. Set against this background, this study aimed to identify clusters of ecosystem services potential in 25 PUGS in the city of Porto, Portugal, through a validated tool application. Multivariate techniques allowed identifying predictor dimensions of ecosystem services potential: the environmental quality and facilities. Five PUGS clusters were validated: i) Environmentally Empowered and Socially Expectant Spaces, ii) Socioenvironmentally Empowered Spaces, iii) Environmentally Empowered but Socially Un-dynamic Spaces, iv) Socioenvironmentally Disempowered Spaces, and v) Socioenvironmentally Unexplored Spaces. This typology proposal brings to the discussion a possible solution for better qualifying these spaces, as it complements PUGS type with a socioeconomic and environmental characterisation. Furthermore, these results are useful in the design of place-based intervention in PUGS, contributing to the increase of ecosystem services potential and improving urban environment quality and sustainability.
- A review on the cultural ecosystem services provision of urban green spaces: perception, use and health benefitsPublication . Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dias, Ricardo; Oliveira, Gisela; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Filho, Walter Leal; Fernandes, Cláudia; Barros, Nelson; Maia, Rui LeandroThis study presents a systematic review to investigate the multiple dimensions of cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided by urban green spaces (UGS) that aim to contribute to supporting the ecosystem services framework towards more sustainable cities. Methodologically, the search was based on peerreviewed journal papers indexed in ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google Scholar platforms (2000–2020), following the PRISMA specific guidelines. The search returned 5417 results. After the initial screening process, 41 articles were finally selected. The results highlighted a set of main dimensions of CES: (1) perception and assessment, (2) recreation, and mental and physical health, (3) aesthetic appreciation/ inspiration for culture, art and design, (4) tourism, and (5) spiritual experience and sense of place. The common framework among these dimensions shows that UGS’ uses and motivations are influenced by user age and space characteristics. The findings encourage the development of relational approaches to help understand what UGS’ users feel and experience in these places, how UGS contribute to promoting healthier and more sustainable cities, and how UGS increase wellbeing for people of all ages.