Hydroponics is a modern agricultural system that enables year-round plant growth. Biochar, derived from apple tree waste, and humic acid were investigated as a replacement for the Hoagland nutrient solution to grow strawberries in a greenhouse with three replications. Growth parameters, such as leaf area, the average number of fruits per plant, maximum fruit weight, and the weight of fresh and dry fruits, were measured. A 50% increase in fresh and dry fruit weight was observed in plants grown using biochar compared to the control. Additionally, the use of Hoagland chemical fertilizer led to a 25% increase in both fresh and dry weight. There was a 65% increase in the number of fruits per plant in the biochar-grown sample compared to the control. Moreover, biochar fertilizer caused a 100% increase in maximum fruit weight compared to the control and a 27% increase compared to the Hoagland chemical fertilizer. Biochar had a higher pH compared to the Hoagland solution, and such pH levels were conducive to strawberry plant growth. The results indicate that biochar has the potential to enhance the size and weight of fruits. The findings of the study demonstrate that biochar, when combined with humic acid, is a successful organic hydroponic fertilizer that improves the quality and quantity of strawberries. Moreover, this approach enables the more efficient utilization of garden waste.

The role of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon neutrality is a complex and important area of study. It involves both carbon sequestration, like photosynthesis, and carbon emission, such as land cultivation and livestock breeding. In Shandong Province, a major agricultural region in China, understanding these dynamics is not only crucial for local and national carbon neutrality goals, but also for global efforts. In this study, we utilized panel data spanning over two decades from 2000 to 2022 and closely examined agricultural carbon dynamics in 16 cities of the Shandong Province. The method from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was used for calculating agricultural carbon sinks, carbon emissions, and carbon surplus. The results showed that (1) carbon sink from crops in the Shandong Province experienced growth during the study period, closely associated with the rise in crop yields; (2) a significant portion of agricultural carbon emissions was attributable to gastrointestinal fermentation in cattle, and a reduction in the number of stocked cattle led to a fall in overall carbon emissions; (3) carbon surplus underwent a significant transition in 2008, turning from negative to positive, and the lowest value of carbon surplus was noticed in 2003, with agriculture sector reaching the carbon peak; (4) the spatial pattern of carbon surplus intensity distinctly changed before and after 2005, and from 2000 to 2005, demonstrating spatial aggregation. This research elucidates that agriculture in Shandong Province achieved carbon neutrality as early as 2008. This is a pivotal progression, as it indicates a balance between carbon emissions and absorption, highlighting the sector’s ability in maintaining a healthy carbon equilibrium.

The increase in energy consumption is closely linked to environmental pollution. Healthcare spending has increased significantly in recent years in all countries, especially after the pandemic. The link between healthcare spending, greenhouse gas emissions and gross domestic product has led many researchers to use modelling techniques to assess this relationship. For this purpose, this paper analyzes the relationship between per capita healthcare expenditure, per capita gross domestic product and per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the 27 EU countries for the period 2000 to 2020 using Error Correction Westerlund, and Westerlund and Edgerton Lagrange Multiplier (LM) bootstrap panel cointegration test. The estimation of model coefficients was carried out using the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) method adopted by Eberhardt and Teal, when there is heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence in cross-sectional units. In addition, Dumitrescu and Hurlin test has been used to detect causality. The findings of the study showed that in the long run, per capita emissions of greenhouse gases have a negative effect on per capita health expenditure, except from the case of Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Latvia. On the other hand, long-term individual co-integration factors of GDP per capita have a positively strong impact on health expenditure per capita in all EU countries. Finally, Dumitrescu and Urlin’s causality results reveal a significant one-way causality relationship from GDP per capita and CO₂ emissions per capita to healthcare expenditure per capita for all EU countries.

One of the biggest environmental problems that has affected the planet is global warming, due to high concentrations of carbon (CO₂), which has led to crops such as coffee being affected by climate change caused by greenhouse gases (GHG), especially by the increase in the incidence of pests and diseases. However, carbon sequestration contributes to the mitigation of GHG emissions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the carbon stored in above and below ground biomass in four six-year-old castle coffee production systems. In a trial established under a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the treatments Coffee at free exposure (T1), Coffee-Lemon (T2), Coffee-Guamo (T3) and Coffee-Carbonero (T4), at three altitudes: below 1,550 masl, between 1,550 and 2,000 masl and above 2,000 masl. Data were collected corresponding to the stem diameters of coffee seedlings and shade trees with which allometric equations were applied to obtain the carbon variables in the aerial biomass and root and the carbon variables in leaf litter and soil obtained from their dry matter. Highly significant differences were obtained in the four treatments evaluated, with T4 being the one that obtained the highest carbon concentration both in soil biomass with 100.14 t ha^-1 and in aerial biomass with 190.42 t ha^-1.

This study evaluates the sustainability and ethical practices of Kerry Logistics Network Limited (KLN), a prominent logistics service provider headquartered in Hong Kong. Using normative ethical theories, stakeholder analysis, and the Circle of Sustainability framework, this research examines KLN’s alignment with global sustainability standards, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings reveal that KLN has achieved significant milestones in environmental management, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 11% from 2021 to 2022 through the deployment of electric trucks and incorporating renewable energy in warehouse operations. KLN has also enhanced social responsibility and governance practices by implementing fair labor policies and establishing a rigorous code of conduct, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines across its supply chain. However, the study identifies areas for improvement, including biodiversity actions, battery recycling processes, and transparency in stakeholder engagement. Emphasizing the importance of third-party validation, this paper underscores KLN’s leadership in the logistics industry and provides insights for other companies aiming to improve sustainability performance through comprehensive, verifiable practices.

Housing is one of the most significant components of sustainable development; hence, the need to come up with sustainable housing solutions. Nevertheless, the sales of houses are steadily falling due to the unaffordability of houses to many people. Based on the expanded community acceptance model, this research examines the relationships between sustainable housing and quality of life with the moderating factors of knowledge, technology, and innovation in Shenzhen. Additionally, it aims to delineate the principal dimensions influencing quality of life. The study employs purposive sampling and gathers data from residents of Shenzhen via a Tencent-distributed survey. Analysis was conducted using Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) 4.0. Results indicate a positive correlation between economic sustainability in housing and quality of life. Contrarily, the social and environmental aspects exhibited negligible impacts on quality of life. Knowledge, technology, and innovation were identified as significant moderators in the correlation among all three sustainable housing dimensions and quality of life. The findings are anticipated to enhance understanding of the perceived impacts of sustainable housing on quality of life in Shenzhen and elucidate the role of knowledge, technology, and innovation in fostering this development.