The urgency of ecological problems has become increasingly complex, so responses from diverse parties are needed, including in the context of ecological citizenship. The general hypothesis proposed in this research is that the problem of climate change has an influence on the high level of attention of the global community, including academics, to environmental issues related to the active role of citizens demanding environmental justice and sustainable development. This study aims to explore globally published documents to provide an in-depth discussion concerning ecological citizenship. Bibliometric analysis was employed from the Scopus database. The main findings confirm the significant contribution of ecological citizenship in shaping global understanding of the role of individuals in maintaining environmental sustainability. The research theme mapping shows the diversity of issues that have been explored, with particular emphasis on environmental education and social justice, providing a basis for recommendations for future research. In particular, environmental education has been recognized as a critical element in shaping society’s understanding of environmental issues, while social justice underscores the importance of fair distribution and critical analysis of inequality in social and ecological contexts. Future research recommendations include the exploration of effective strategies in promoting the concept of ecological citizenship, developing a holistic environmental education curriculum, and more active research in the context of social justice in various regions, including Asia. This bibliometric analysis is expected to contribute substantially to formulating policies and practical actions that support the vision of inclusive ecological citizenship, which positively impacts overcoming global environmental challenges.

[Objective]In order to explore the sustainable food security level in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, ensure food security and sustainable development of agricultural modernization, it is necessary to establish a scientific food security evaluation system to safeguard local food security.[Methods]This paper takes the food system of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China as the research object, based on the food security research results at home and abroad, based on sustainable development thinking, combined with a new perspective of dynamic equilibrium research: Beginning with food normalcy, a comprehensive analysis of food production, food economy, social development, ecological security, and technical support for sustainable development is presented using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS model to build a food security evaluation system for sustainable development. [Conclusion]After systematic analysis, it is concluded that (1) the average value of food security score of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2008 to 2021 is 0.429, and the overall food in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is in general security level (0.400 ≤ Q1 ≤ 0.600), and the overall situation of food security is not optimistic, (2) from the segmentation of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the high and low level of food security are divided into sections: midstream > downstream > upstream, and each province and city is slowly rising to different degrees. In this way, we propose general countermeasures to ensure local food security from the perspective of sustainable development.

This case study employs the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) theory as a conceptual framework, utilizing semi-structured interviews combined with focus group discussions to uncover the driving forces influencing rural revitalization and sustainable development within communities. ABCD is considered a transformative approach that emphasizes achieving sustainable development by mobilizing existing resources within the community. Conducted against the backdrop of rural revitalization in China, the study conducts on-site investigations in Yucun, Zhejiang Province. Through the analysis of Yucun’s community development and asset utilization practices, the study reveals successful experiences in various aspects, including community construction, industrial development, cultural heritage preservation, ecological conservation, organizational management, and open economic thinking. The results indicate that Yucun’s sustainable development benefits from its unique resources, leveraging policy advantages, collective financial organizations, and open economic thinking, among other factors. These elements collectively drive rural revitalization in Yucun, leading to sustainable development.

In April 2023, the government of Changshu City, in Jiangsu Province, China, announced that it would officially use digital Chinese Yuan (E-CNY) as a method of wage payment to the government and state-owned enterprises staff starting in May. With the gradual improvement and application of E-CNY technologies, such as no electricity, no internet payment (offline payment), and the programmability of smart contracts, E-CNY will be officially used in China. CNN said China is on the verge of a cashless society. The advantages of E-CNY have a positive role in promoting the Chinese government’s implementation of the development goals of a low-carbon and sustainable economy. However, artificial intelligence (AI) trust concerns are the primary bottleneck in the current development based on intelligent algorithms and digital information technology. AI trust concerns are affecting the scope of use of E-CNY, and it may need to achieve effective scale-use, making it promote low-carbon and sustainable development. From the industry perspective, this article selects the housing rental enterprises, which are challenging to develop and energy-intensive, to analyze the theoretical approach and practical impact of E-CNY in promoting the low-carbon and sustainable development of China’s rental housing economy. Meanwhile, from the perspective of Chinese consumers, the impact of AI trust concerns on E-CNY in promoting low-carbon and sustainable development is analyzed in this article.

This study investigates the integration of sustainability principles into educational curricula, focusing on the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research identifies key institutional barriers, including outdated policies, insufficient teacher training, and limited resources. These barriers hinder the effective incorporation of sustainable development principles into education. The study reveals that while some educational systems struggle to adopt sustainability, examples from progressive institutions show that integrating these principles enhances student awareness and equips them with skills essential for sustainable development. The findings suggest that substantial changes are needed in existing educational frameworks to better support sustainability in curricula. Recommendations for future research include conducting longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of curriculum changes on sustainability outcomes and exploring the role of technology in advancing sustainable education. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for advocacy and the implementation of actionable strategies, such as industry collaborations for pilot projects and real-world applications. Furthermore, institutional support for teacher professional development is crucial, with structured programs that combine theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sustainability. Enhancing partnerships between educational institutions and industries, including co-designed curriculum modules and internship opportunities, is also essential for aligning education with the Sustainable Development Goals. This study highlights the importance of transforming educational practices to better address the challenges of sustainable infrastructure development, ultimately preparing students to contribute to a more sustainable future.

The following paper assesses the relationship between electricity consumption, economic growth, environmental pollution, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development in Kazakhstan. Using the structural equation method, the study analyzes panel data gathered across various regions of Kazakhstan between 2014 and 2022. The data were sourced from official records of the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan and include all regions of Kazakhstan. The chosen timeframe includes the period from 2014, which marked a significant drop in oil prices that impacted the overall economic situation in the country, to 2022. The main hypotheses of the study relate to the impact of electricity consumption on economic growth, ICT, and environmental sustainability, as well as ICT’s role in economic development and environmental impact. The results show electricity consumption’s positive effect on economic growth and ICT development while also revealing an increase in pollutant emissions (emissions of liquid and gaseous pollutants) with economic growth and electricity consumption. The development of ICT in Kazakhstan has been revealed to not have a direct effect on reducing pollutant emissions into the environment, raising important questions about how technology can be leveraged to mitigate environmental impact, whether current technological advancements are sufficient to address environmental challenges, and what specific measures are needed to enhance the environmental benefits of ICT. There is a clear necessity to integrate sustainable practices and technologies to achieve balanced development. These results offer important insights into the relationships among electricity consumption, technology, economic development, and environmental issues. They underscore the complexity and multidimensionality of these interactions and suggest directions for future research, especially in the context of finding sustainable solutions for balanced development.