This study investigates the impact of tourism and institutional quality on environmental preservation, utilizing principal component analysis to generate three composite indices of environmental sustainability for 134 countries from 2002 to 2020. The results reveal that environmental sustainability indices have generally improved in lower- and middle-income nations but have declined in certain high-income countries. The findings also underscore the critical role of institutional quality—particularly regulatory standards, government effectiveness, anti-corruption efforts, and adherence to legal frameworks—in promoting environmental sustainability. However, the study shows that both domestic and international tourism expenditures can have adverse effects on environmental sustainability. Notably, these negative effects are exacerbated in countries with well-developed institutions, which is an unexpected outcome. This highlights the need for careful, thoughtful policymaking to ensure that the tourism sector supports sustainable development, rather than undermining environmental objectives.

In recent years, an ‘international’ unanimity has been reached as to the importance of collective collaboration to avoid the negative effects of climate change. This requires rethinking the old or traditional development model based on economic growth as the exclusive indicator of wealth. Thus, humanity has an urgent need to adopt a new, more humane and fairer economic model that constitutes an alternative to the models of exponential growth that have dominated in the last two centuries. To do so, humanity is looking to the Degrowth model as a potential concept that aims to reduce wealth from pollutants, seeks more justice (as equity), and the improvement of the capabilities of those who are poor and disadvantaged (in the sense of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum). The purpose of this article is to question this model and whether it actually does improve environmental quality. Additionally, if the response is positive, another question arises: How to finance degrowth especially when we seek other less polluting energy sources whose costs seem to be very high?

The world has never been more developed, yet humanity is on the brink of irreversible environmental loss. Despite the urgency of the situation, there is a limited body of studies addressing environmental concerns in higher education institution, particularly in developing countries, i.e., Saudi Arabia. Sustainable development is the only viable solution, albeit it requires the courage to initiate and sustain efforts dedicated to preserving the environment for the well-being of future generation. The article delves into this issue and examines the impact of environmental education program (EEP) on environmental performance (EP) via waste minimization behaviour (WMB). The research involved meticulous data collection from a sample of 597 students, representing diverse genders and academic specialties at the esteemed public university—King Faisal University (KFU) in Saudi Arabia. The study used statistical software (including SPSS and AMOS, v 25) for rigorous analysis and revealed significant findings. Firstly, the study showed a significant and positive relationship between EEP and EP. Secondly, it revealed a significant and positive association between EEP and WMB. Thirdly, the study ascertained a significant and positive association between WMB and EP. Finally, the study found that the relationship between EEP and EP remains significant even after presenting WMB as a mediator, proposing that WMB has a partial mediation role between EEP and EP. The results highlighted the significance role of EEP in stimulating WMB and achieving EP in the Saudi universities, which contributes to national initiative of green Saudia.

Noise pollution in construction sites is a significant concern, impacting worker health, safety, communication, and productivity. The current study aims to assess the paramount consequences of ambient noise pollution on construction activities and workers’ productivity in Peshawar, Pakistan. Noise measurements have been recorded at four different construction sites in Peshawar at different times of the day. Statistical analysis and Relative Importance Index (RII) are employed to evaluate the data Risk variables, such as equipment maintenance, noise control, increased workload, material handling challenges, quality control issues, and client satisfaction. The results indicated that noise levels often exceeded permissible limits, particularly in the afternoon, posing significant worker risks. In addition, RII analysis identified communication difficulties, safety hazards, and decreased productivity as significant issues. The results show that noise pollution is directly linked with safety risks, decreased performance, and client dissatisfaction and needs immediate attention by authorities. This paper proposes a strategic policy framework, recommending uniform hand signals and visual communication methods without noise for workers, worker training about safety, and using wearable devices in noisy settings. Communication training for teams and crane operators, proactive quality control, and customer-oriented project schedules are also proposed. These recommendations aim to mitigate the adverse effects of noise pollution, enhance construction industry resilience, and improve overall operational efficiency, worker safety, and client satisfaction in the construction sector of Peshawar, aligning with policy and sustainable development objectives.

Background: Digital transformation in the sports industry has become increasingly crucial for sustainable development, yet comprehensive empirical evidence on policy effectiveness and risk management remains limited. Purpose: This study investigates the impact of policy support and risk factors on digital transformation in sports companies, examining heterogeneous effects across different firm characteristics and regional contexts. Methods: Using panel data from 168 sports companies listed on China’s A-shares markets and the New Third Board from 2019 to 2023, this study employs multiple regression analyses, including baseline models, instrumental variables estimation, and robustness tests. The digital transformation level is measured through a composite index incorporating digital infrastructure, capability, and innovation dimensions. Results: The findings reveal that policy support significantly enhances digital transformation levels (coefficient = 0.238, p < 0.01), while financial risks demonstrate the strongest negative impact (−0.162, p < 0.01). Large firms and state-owned enterprises show stronger responses to policy support (0.312 and 0.278, respectively, p < 0.01). Regional development levels significantly moderate the effectiveness of policy implementation. Conclusions: The study provides empirical evidence for the differential effects of policy support and risk factors on digital transformation across various firm characteristics. The findings suggest the need for differentiated policy approaches considering firm size, ownership structure, and regional development levels. Implications: Policy makers should develop targeted support mechanisms addressing specific challenges faced by different types of firms, while considering regional disparities in digital transformation capabilities.