This study investigates the impact of corporate carbon performance on financing costs, focusing on S&P 500 companies from 2015 to 2022. Utilizing a fixed-effects regression model, the research reveals a complex U-shaped nonlinear relationship between carbon intensity (CI) and cost of debt (COD). The sample comprises 2896 firm-year observations, with CI measured by the ratio of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to annual sales. The findings indicate that companies with higher CI initially face increased COD due to heightened regulatory and operational risks. However, as CI falls below a certain threshold, further reductions in emissions can paradoxically lead to increased COD, likely due to the substantial investments required for advanced technologies. Additionally, a positive relationship between CI and cost of equity (COE) is observed, suggesting that shareholders demand higher returns from companies with greater environmental risks. These results underscore the importance of balancing short-term and long-term environmental strategies. The study highlights the need for corporate managers to communicate the long-term benefits of environmental efforts effectively to creditors and investors. Policymakers should consider these dynamics when designing regulations that incentivize lower carbon emissions.

Blockchain technology is poised to significantly transform the corporate world, heralding a new era of innovation and efficiency. Over the past few years, its impact has been noted by leaders, academics, and government representatives around the globe this growing interest underscores businesses’ need to evolve and reconsider traditional operational models. To remain competitive, organizations must embrace this change. Before introducing such ground-breaking technology, it is crucial to assess the motivations of primary stakeholders concerning its implementation. This study looks into what influences the use of Blockchain technology in the oil and gas sector, primarily using a quantitative survey of Iraqi oil and gas companies. A questionnaire was distributed among 250 top-level managers, senior executives, project managers, and IT managers for analyzing the data, the study employs the Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) technique, with Smart PLS for data processing. The findings suggest that the intention to utilise blockchain technology is influenced by one’s attitude towards it. Competitive pressure (environmental factors), functional benefit, and privacy/security (technological factors) significantly affect blockchain adoption intention. Nevertheless, there was no discernible correlation between regulatory backing and the desire to use Blockchain. Additionally, cost concern and perceived risk (organizational factors) two factors contribute negatively to the perception of blockchain technology. Besides the direct relationship, the findings revealed that attitude toward blockchain technology mediate the relationship between cost concern, perceived risk, and intention to adopt Blockchain. Built upon the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) model and the Theory of Reasoned Action, this research offers a comprehensive framework for investigating the intention to adopt blockchain technology. The results enhance both theoretical understanding and practical implementation by providing valuable insights into the emerging area of blockchain adoption intentions.

South Korea’s over 3300 islands play vital roles in the nation’s geography, economy, culture, and national security. Despite their importance, these islands face significant challenges, including population decline, aging demographics, and a severe lack of healthcare, childcare, and education facilities. With only 20% of inhabited islands connected to the mainland by bridges, coastal ferries are the primary transportation mode. However, the infrequent ferry services and numerous intermediate stops cause considerable inconvenience. This study conducts an analysis of the coastal ferry route connectivity within the Mokpo Area, focusing on proposing improvements to enhance access to community infrastructure for local island residents. This study analyzes the Mokpo Area’s coastal ferry network, identifying Dochodo as a central hub island to improve connectivity for sustainable island development. By reorganizing routes around Dochodo with larger ferries for main routes and smaller ferries for local trips, the study aims to enhance service access and boost tourism for island communities.

Desert environments face the challenge of promoting sustainable tourism while balancing economic growth with cultural and environmental preservation. In the context of rapid global tourism expansion, effective destination management becomes crucial for positive economic impact and long-term preservation. This study aims to identify key factors influencing the sustainability of tourism. It explores the interactions between local stakeholders, the supply of tourism products and services, and tourism governance. Utilizing structural equation modeling through the PLS-SEM method, data was collected from 150 stakeholders in desert environments. The findings reveal that the involvement of local tourism stakeholders and the supply of tourism products and services significantly impact sustainable tourism in the desert environment. However, we observe a lack of influence between tourism governance and sustainable desert tourism. The novelty of the study lies in the identification of promotional factors for sustainable desert tourism. The originality of this study lies in its in-depth exploration of the mechanisms for promoting sustainable tourism.

This article emphasizes the critical role of the subsidiarity principle in facilitating adaptation to climate change. Employing a comparative legal analysis approach, the paper examines how this principle, traditionally pivotal in distributing powers within the European Union, could be adapted globally to manage climate change displacement. Specifically, it explores whether subsidiarity can surmount the challenges posed by national sovereignty and states’ reluctance to cede control over domestic matters. Findings indicate that while domestic efforts and local adaptations should be prioritized, international intervention becomes imperative when national capacities are overwhelmed. This article proposes that ‘causing countries’ and the global community bear a collective responsibility to act. The Asia-Pacific region, characterized by diverse and vulnerable ecosystems like small islands, coastal areas, and mountainous regions, serves as the focal point for this study. The research underscores the necessity of developing policies and further research to robustly implement the subsidiarity principle in protecting climate-displaced populations.

Over the last few decades, demographic growth combined with poorly controlled urbanization has confronted African cities with a variety of environmental protection challenges. As part of a gradual awareness-raising process, African countries have ratified conventions and adopted a series of laws to protect the environment. Since independence (1960), Gabon has adopted legal instruments to provide a better framework for environmental protection. Despite the existence of well-developed legislation, the Libreville conurbation faces difficulties in waste management. This situation contributes to the degradation of the coastal zone. This study aims to analyse stakeholders’ perceptions of environmental protection regulations in solid waste management practices along the coastline of the Libreville metropolitan area in Gabon. The methodology includes documentary research, field observations, and surveys of 300 study area participants. The results show that the degradation of the coastline is due to a lack of awareness and compliance with the laws governing environmental protection and waste management. As a result, waste disposal practices such as dumping in nature, waterways, illegal dumps, and gutters are commonplace among the population. To achieve sustainable coastal zone management, it is essential to apply regulatory texts and involve stakeholders in improving planning and the quality of the coastal environment.