This study presents an all-inclusive benchmarking framework as a strategic tool for Saudi Arabian higher education institutions (HEIs) aiming to enhance their performance in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking (UIGWUR), with extended applications for HEIs in other countries. The proposed framework progresses beyond statistical reporting to offer a transferable data-driven tool that could support HEIs worldwide in diagnosing gaps, prioritizing actions and strategically advancing sustainability outcomes. The number and trends of ranking by Saudi Arabian HEIs participated in the UIGWUR between year 2014 and 2024 are quantitatively analyzed to reveal insights into their sustainability performance and areas for improvement. Results from the analysis indicated steady growth in their participation, beginning from one HEI in year 2014 to 14 out of 67 HEIs in year 2024. Four institutions, in particular, could serve as benchmark models for others aspiring to improve their global standing: King Abdulaziz University (KAU) and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) have ranked among the top 100 consistently whereas Qassim University (QU) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IABFU) have also secured top 100 positions in the recent years. To help other HEIs obtain comparable achievement, this study, with a detailed benchmarking analysis from year 2020 onward, identified the minimum performance scores for attaining a top 100 position in year 2025. The study categorized the required levels of effort into Aligned, Low, Medium, and High across different UIGWUR criteria, hence offering a structured roadmap for improvement. It was recommended that approximately 79% of the participated HEIs in year 2024 should invest Medium to High levels of effort to be qualified for top 100 in year 2025. Though the current analysis focused on Saudi Arabian HEIs, the proposed framework could offer a scalable tool applicable to global HEIs to boost their sustainability performance.
The assessment of urban sustainability and the development of performance-based practical tools for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are key items for discussion on the public agenda. Despite the urgency of the issues, there is a noticeable lack of studies related to a comprehensive model that could holistically assess sustainability performance at the city level. To address this research gap, SIMURG_CITIES conceptual model, the sub-project of “A Performance-based and Sustainability-oriented Integration Model Using Relational database architecture to increase Global competitiveness of the construction industry” (SIMURG), introduces a system-based methodology to evaluate urban sustainability of different cities. SIMURG_CITIES adopts multiple city layers and their associated key performance indicator (KPI) sets within the built environment dimension of 3D Cartesian system architecture to offer new insights. The purpose of this paper is to develop conceptual models at paradigmatic/philosophical, organizational process, interoperability/integrational, and computational/assessment components, paving the way for practical applications with a relational database model. The model and its relationship with interrelated components are explored by an iterative systems approach using “input–process–output–outcome–impact” (IPO) model and the “people-process-technology” (PPT) methodology. This structure steers the integration of humane, procedural, and technological factors into urban sustainability assessment. In addition, the model could help individuals select ideal urban environments to align with their expectations and to enhance accountability, transparency, and legitimacy in the decision-making processes of public authorities. Through this study, a technology-based approach is found to be effective in assessing urban sustainability and a conceptual framework is established in the contexts of Society 5.0 and urban governance.
In an increasingly dynamic and complex industrial landscape, the continuous enhancement of organizational performance has emerged as a critical imperative. To this end, structured quality assessment frameworks, such as the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model, have been widely adopted as integrative tools for diagnosing, monitoring, and improving business performance. Despite its comprehensive nature, the EFQM model often requires the incorporation of additional quantitative methods to refine the evaluation of the relative significance of its criteria. In this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, extended with triangular fuzzy numbers, has been employed to determine the weighted importance of the EFQM model's criteria under conditions of uncertainty and expert subjectivity. This fuzzy extension of AHP allows for a more nuanced capture of linguistic judgments, thereby enhancing the robustness of decision-making in ambiguous environments. Expert assessments were elicited through structured interviews with quality managers from three manufacturing companies, enabling the construction of pairwise comparison matrices for each criterion. These matrices were then aggregated and analyzed to derive consensus-based priority weights. The findings reveal significant variations in the perceived importance of enabler and result criteria, underscoring the context-dependent applicability of the EFQM model. Furthermore, the results offer a more granular understanding of the internal structure of the model, providing a foundation for its adaptive use in quality management systems across the manufacturing sector. The integration of fuzzy logic into the hierarchical decision-making process is demonstrated to yield improved precision and flexibility, making it a valuable methodological enhancement for organizations pursuing excellence under uncertainty. The proposed approach also contributes to the broader discourse on multi-criteria decision analysis in quality management by addressing limitations in conventional crisp AHP applications.
Modern high-input, intensive agricultural systems predominantly emphasize productivity and profitability at the expense of ecological balance. The Green Revolution, though instrumental in enhancing food security, relied heavily on mechanization, intensive cultivation, and high-yielding varieties, often compromising long-term sustainability. These practices have accelerated land use change and deforestation, leading to a substantial decline in soil organic matter (SOM), a reduction in terrestrial carbon sinks, and a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Under the increasing pressures of climate change—manifested in the form of drought, flooding, and pest outbreaks—the vulnerability of conventional farming systems has been exacerbated. In response to these challenges, regenerative organic agriculture (ROA) has been recognized as a holistic framework capable of restoring ecosystem functions, enhancing soil health, and supporting sustainable food production. This review synthesizes current research on ROA, with particular emphasis on practices that contribute to soil building and ecological regeneration. A meta-analysis of cover cropping practices across diverse soil types has demonstrated the potential to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) between 0.32 and 16.70 Mg·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹. Globally, an estimated SOC sequestration of 0.03 Pg·C·yr⁻¹ via cover crops could offset approximately 8% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The physical, chemical, and biological improvements to soil properties facilitated by ROA have been systematically examined. Traditional Vedic agricultural practices in India have also been revisited for their ecological relevance and compatibility with regenerative principles. Integrated farming systems combining leguminous crops, agroforestry, horticulture, pasture, and animal husbandry have been reviewed for their synergistic effects on biodiversity enhancement, nutrient cycling, and climate mitigation. Additionally, the transition to renewable energy sources, reliance on self-saved seeds, and minimization of external inputs have been underscored as key strategies for achieving farm-level self-sufficiency and ecological sustainability. This review synthesizes scientific findings and traditional knowledge to highlight ROA as a holistic solution for restoring soil function, conserving natural resources, and advancing sustainable agricultural development.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in precision agriculture has facilitated significant advancements in crop health monitoring, particularly in the early identification and classification of foliar diseases. Accurate and timely diagnosis of plant diseases is critical for minimizing crop loss and enhancing agricultural sustainability. In this study, an interpretable deep learning model—referred to as the Multi-Crop Leaf Disease (MCLD) framework—was developed based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture, tailored for the classification of tomato and grapevine leaf diseases. The model architecture was derived from the Visual Geometry Group Network (VGGNet), optimized to improve computational efficiency while maintaining classification accuracy. Leaf image datasets comprising healthy and diseased samples were employed to train and evaluate the model. Performance was assessed using multiple statistical metrics, including classification accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, recall, and F1-score. The proposed MCLD framework achieved a detection accuracy of 98.40% for grapevine leaf diseases and a classification accuracy of 95.71% for tomato leaf conditions. Despite these promising results, further research is required to address limitations such as generalizability across variable environmental conditions and the integration of field-acquired images. The implementation of such interpretable AI-based systems is expected to substantially enhance precision agriculture by supporting rapid and accurate disease management strategies.
Rapid urban expansion in sub-Saharan Africa has increasingly posed challenges to ecological sustainability and climatic stability. In this study, the spatiotemporal impacts of urban growth on biodiversity and surface temperature dynamics in Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin, were quantitatively assessed. A multi-decadal analysis was conducted using satellite imagery from the Landsat series (1992, 2002, 2012, and 2022), temperature records, and relevant literature, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 11.3.1 and Indicator 1 of the Singapore City Biodiversity Index (CBI). Findings revealed a significant imbalance between land consumption and population growth, with a land use to population ratio of 4.25, substantially exceeding the sustainable threshold of 1. This trend denotes unsustainable urban development. Concurrently, biologically active land—serving as a proxy for biodiversity—declined from 472.42 km² (94.75% of the study area) in 1992 to 220.31 km² (44.19%) in 2022, amounting to a biodiversity area loss exceeding 50%. Thermal analysis detected statistically significant shifts in both minimum and maximum temperatures, with minimum temperatures increasing from 24.41℃ to 25.14℃ (p = 3.14 × 10⁻⁵) and maximum temperatures rising from 30.30℃ to 31.02℃ (p = 7.62 × 10⁻⁵). These findings indicate that urban sprawl has not only driven ecological degradation through habitat fragmentation and biodiversity depletion but has also exacerbated the urban heat island effect. The methodological integration of geospatial analysis, climate data, and urban biodiversity indicators demonstrates the utility of multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosing the environmental consequences of unregulated urbanization. The results underscore an urgent need for evidence-based urban planning and biodiversity-sensitive development policies tailored to rapidly expanding West African cities.
In light of the European Union’s 2050 decarbonization objectives, a fundamental transformation of urban energy systems is required—characterized by decentralization, decarbonization, and digitalization. Within this context, the Renewable Energy Community (REC) model has been identified as a pivotal mechanism for enabling the integration and equitable sharing of locally generated renewable energy, while simultaneously delivering environmental, social, and economic co-benefits. A systemic and place-based approach has therefore been proposed, in which the interactions among buildings, neighborhoods, and communities are holistically considered in the design and governance of urban energy systems. The operationalization of RECs has been shown to rely heavily on the deployment of digital technologies, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platforms, smart metering infrastructure, automated control of energy flows, and demand response mechanisms. These technologies serve not only to optimize energy efficiency and flexibility but also to enhance user engagement and energy awareness. A national standard recently published in Italy has formalized this integrated methodology, supporting the coordinated development of smart and low-carbon cities. Concurrently, innovative tools are being developed to facilitate decision-making and strategic planning for RECs at multiple spatial scales. Among them, the Italian geo-portal for RECs and the Public Energy Living Lab (PELL) have been introduced to support the acquisition, organization, and interpretation of territorial and urban energy data. These tools have also enabled the definition and monitoring of context-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), critical for assessing the performance and scalability of REC initiatives. The framework presented herein contributes to the broader objectives of Smart Cities by enabling data-driven, participatory, and resilient energy transitions in urban contexts. Particular emphasis has been placed on harmonizing spatial data infrastructures with energy governance processes, thereby laying the groundwork for replicable and adaptable REC models across diverse territorial configurations.
The accelerating demand for sustainable energy solutions in urban environments has prompted the application of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems in electric vehicles (EVs). This study assessed the impact of BIPV-EV systems in Surabaya, Indonesia, forecasting its energy production, environmental advantages, and economic viability between 2026 and 2036. Simulations conducted using HOMER Pro and photovoltaic system (PVsyst) suggested that the rooftop photovoltaic (RPV) capacity will increase from 4.6 GW in 2026 to 6.0 GW by 2036, while facade photovoltaic (FaPV) capacity is projected to grow from 1.6 GW to 2.0 GW. The combined generation of RPV and FaPV is anticipated to reach 9.71 GWh annually by 2036, ultimately reducing grid dependency to 36.6%. Additionally, carbon emissions from the BIPV-EV systems are expected to decrease from 616 tons per year in a grid-based scenario to 520 tons annually, hence reducing carbon intensity to 0.05 kg CO₂/kWh. Although the initial investment is projected at USD 3.2 billion and USD 4.8 billion in 2026 and 2036, respectively, the implementation of BIPV-EV systems is advantageous owing to significant savings on energy costs in the long run and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. These findings underscored the potential of BIPV in advancing urban sustainability and accomplishing the objectives of energy transition in Indonesia.