The concept of eco-civilization, or “shengtai wenming jianshe” in Chinese, emerged in academic circles in the 1980s and was officially adopted by the Chinese Communist Party in 2007. This concept highlights the profound harm human activities inflicted on nature, climate, and biodiversity. Given the global environmental challenges posed by human actions and economic activities, it is crucial to promote ecological civilization universally. This paper aims to uncover the key aspects of eco-civilization to address challenges related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major project under the Belt and Road Initiative. It emphasizes aligning CPEC with green development goals to support sustainable economic progress in Pakistan and China. The study employs semi-structured interviews, a modified four-round Delphi method, and calculates a priority index. The research population includes climate experts, scholars, researchers, academics, policymakers, industrialists, and environmentalists from both countries, providing valuable insights into eco-civilization. Using an iterative approach with continuous feedback informing each round of the Delphi technique allows for systematic conceptualization, evaluation, and ranking of factors to develop a comprehensive priority index. The findings emphasize the necessity of embedding ecological principles in regional development strategies to maximize CPEC’s contribution to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. By promoting ecological harmony, resilience, and sustainability, this research offers a strategic framework for leveraging CPEC as a model for sustainable development that could positively impact neighboring regions and global communities.

In developing nations such as India, managing municipal solid waste (MSW) presents a substantial challenge, with around 90% of MSW disposed of in open dumps and unregulated landfills. This improper waste disposal poses serious health risks to nearby communities. This study delves into MSW’s characteristics, separation, collection, transportation, and disposal techniques in Jamshedpur, India. Information was gathered through personal visits, interviews, and official records from the Municipal Corporation and Jamshedpur Utility Service Company Pvt. Ltd., currently known as Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited (TSUISL), a subsidiary of Tata Enterprise. TSUISL manages municipal services and efficiently handles waste management tasks such as collection, storage, transportation, and processing. Techniques such as composting and bio-methanation convert waste into valuable resources, reducing landfill pressure. This study aims to understand the MSW management framework implemented by TSUISL and provide practical recommendations to enhance the city’s existing waste management system.

We investigated the biochemical weathering of unaltered lava and scoria samples from Tolbachik volcanic field (Kamchatka). An experimental study on leaching of main (Si, Fe, Mg, Al, and Ca) and trace element constituents (Li, Sr, Ba, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ti, and other trace metals) was conducted. We used 0.01 M (pH 2) solutions of oxalic and acetic acids as analogs of natural bioorganic solvents. Meanwhile, a constant mass ratio of solid and liquid phases was maintained. The results suggested that the mobilization of trace elements occurs mainly as a result of the destruction of the crystalline structures of rock-forming minerals. In the case of oxalic acid solution, Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxyhydroxides are reduced to soluble Fe(II) and Mn(II) compounds. The formation of organic complexes increases the stability of metals in solution and makes it possible to achieve significantly higher concentrations of dissolved forms than in the absence of organic ligands. For example, water that has passed through an old lava field covered with lichen may contain 2.5 times more Co than the maximum permissible concentration for fish reproduction. This study demonstrated that the spikes in concentrations of heavy metals in the Kamchatka River, observed during the 2015 - 2016 period, can be explained by the leaching of fresh products from the Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (2012 - 2013).

The precious Bagmati River water is deteriorating continuously due to the loading of effluents from different sources. The water quality of the Bagmati River water was determined by collecting water samples from Pashupati (B-1) and Balkhu (B-2) sites of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu Valley. The observed water quality parameters indicated that the Bagmati River is extremely polluted, and pollution was more pronounced downstream after the confluence of its tributaries. The total coliform count was extremely high, and bacteria levels exceeded the limit of counting, indicating fecal pollution from domestic influents. After treatment with indigenous Moringa oleifera (MO) seed extract, the black-colored water became clear. Most probable number and spread plate count of coliform progressively decreased with increasing concentrations of MO seed extract. The hardness, turbidity, iron, and chromium concentrations were reduced to below the World Health Organization standard after treatment with 100 mg/L MO and citric acid-treated seed extracts. The results suggest that the treated and untreated MO seed extracts could be a good natural coagulant for polluted river water treatment to reduce physicochemical and microbial pollutants.

Pakistan’s forests play avital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the air, making them essential natural carbon sinks. Achieving a balance between logging and forest preservation is necessary for the country to meet global climate goals. This study employs a robust least squares regression approach to identify the components of carbon sequestration, using quarterly time series data from 1990 Quartile 1 to 2023 Quartile 4. The findings show that agricultural income, forest preservation legislation, rainfall variability, high temperatures, and land-use changes significantly affect carbon sequestration in Pakistan. Positive changes in forest cover highlight the need for continuous afforestation and replanting efforts. However, a decline in forest carbon sink capacity due to agricultural output and land-use changes hampers climate change mitigation. The results emphasize the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation. These findings suggest that addressing the challenges of climate change and land use requires specialized policies that prioritize forest conservation while managing economic costs.

Pipeline water supply, a primary source in urban areas, delivers treated water from water treatment plants (WTPs) directly to consumers. This study comprehensively evaluates water quality in Kushtia Municipality, Bangladesh, focusing on untreated water, treated water, and freely available public water point (PWP) samples. Twelve water samples were collected from March 1 to 7, 2024, and analyzed for physicochemical and microbiological parameters using standard methods. The treatment efficiency, water quality index (WQI), Nemerow pollution index (NPI), and hazard quotient were calculated based on the analytical measurements. Findings indicate that, among the 12 assessed parameters, only three comply with Bangladesh’s water quality standards. The mean cumulative efficiency shows that WTP 2 exhibits the highest treatment efficiency (30.76%), whereas WTP 1 has the lowest (12.34%). While WQI scores classify all treated and PWP samples as “unfit” for consumption, treated water demonstrates comparatively better quality than PWPs. The NPI analysis identifies the primary contributing pollutants in the following order: Biochemical oxygen demand>hardness>alkalinity>iron>temperature>electrical conductivity. The health risk assessment reveals no significant risk of iron ingestion or dermal exposure for adults and children. However, long-term ingestion of arsenic-contaminated water presents a moderate health risk for both groups, while dermal contact poses no risk.

This research work aims to investigate how the corporate environmental strategy (CES) influences the management of plastic pollution. The focus of this study was a food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing firm in Durban, South Africa, because of their use of plastic items for packaging their products. Furthermore, when their product has served its function, it is disposed of, polluting the environment. There is a global worry as plastic waste is contaminating the land and marine environment. The pressure from different stakeholders for the accountability of those responsible has grown rapidly over the years. Quantitative information was gathered using a structured questionnaire to survey 128 F&B manufacturing companies’ managers in finance, management, factory, and accounting departments. The data were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and the Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between the variables. The findings revealed a positive relationship between CES and plastic pollution control (PPC). The R² value of 0.149 was obtained from the linear regression analysis, suggesting that CES accounts for 14.9% of the variance in PPC. Thus, a significant linear relationship between the two variables was discovered.

This study assessed groundwater quality in Yabelo, Elewaye, Gomole, and Duduluk towns in Ethiopia, analyzing 60 samples across 19 physicochemical parameters. The groundwater pollution index (GPI), nitrate pollution index (NPI), and water quality index (WQI) were used to evaluate drinking water suitability. Results showed turbidity, pH, bicarbonate, nitrite, and copper levels were within the World Health Organization recommended limits. However, 20% of the samples had high total dissolved solids and sulfate levels. Total hardness exceeded limits in 60% of the samples, and 40% had elevated nitrate concentrations. Chromium and fluoride were elevated by 10%, while total iron and manganese exceeded standards by 20%. The GPI indicated “Insignificant pollution” in 80% of samples and “Low pollution” in 20%. Among the samples, the NPI classified 50% as “Clean”, 10% as “Low pollution”, 30% as “Moderate”, and 10% as “Very high pollution”. The WQI rated 20% as “Good”, 30% as “Very good”, and 50% as “Excellent”. This study provides valuable insights to help authorities in identifying protective measures and treatment methods for water resources.

The present experiment was conducted to observe the effects of different size fractions of vermicast on the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of loam and sandy loam soils. To set up the experiment, loam and sandy loam soils were incorporated with vermicast of different sizes as raw, 1.0 - 2.0 mm, 0.5 - 1.0 mm, and <0.5 mm, at 0, 5 t/ha, 10 t/ha, 15 t/ha, and 20 t/ha, which resulted in five different treatments for each soil type. The Ks was determined based on the principle of Darcy’s Law by maintaining a constant water head on the top of the soil column. Results indicated that sandy loam soils had significantly higher Ks than loam soil for all the application rates (p < 0.01). Irrespective of the size, the applications of vermicast at the rates of 5 t/ha, 10 t/ha, 15 t/ha, and 20 t/ha resulted in 113.67 - 196.79%, 135.47 - 442.76%, 10.0 - 150.0%, and 29.63 - 135.47% higher Ks in sandy loam soils relative to the loam soils. There were significant differences in Ks among the vermicast sizes at all the rates of incorporation for both loam and sandy loam soil treatments (p < 0.01). As the size of vermicast decreases (<0.5 mm), the Ks also decreases relative to the control, indicating the greater retention capacity and water-holding capacity of finer vermicast fractions in the soil column. At 15 t/ha and 20 t/ha, the highest relative Ks (74.42% and 88.37%) were found in loam soils with raw vermicast.

The inherent variability of power output from photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind energy resources, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and hydrogen (H₂) fuel cells presents a significant challenge in efficiently integrating these technologies into microgrids. This stochastic nature underscores the necessity of accounting for fluctuations in renewable energy resources (RERs) to optimize energy utilization within the microgrid. This paper proposes a resource-efficient energy management (REEM) framework for a microgrid interconnected with the main power system. By dynamically regulating PV generation, wind power output, BESS discharge, and hydrogen fuel cell operation in response to load variations, the proposed approach enhances energy utilization and grid stability. To address the complexities associated with REEM, this study employs the zebra optimization algorithm (ZOA), a highly efficient metaheuristic technique. The primary objectives of this optimization include cost minimization, voltage profile enhancement, and optimal sizing of RERs. Simulation results demonstrate that the strategic integration of PV units, wind turbines, grid-connected BESS, and hydrogen fuel cells significantly reduces operational costs while improving overall system performance. Comparative analysis further reveals that ZOA outperforms the moth-flame optimization algorithm and stochastic fractal search network in achieving the defined optimization objectives.

In this study, we assessed the groundwater quality in Patna district, Bihar, India, using the Water Quality Index (WQI) method, specifically the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment approach. Secondary data from various agencies (2004 - 2020) were analyzed to evaluate physicochemical parameters and spatial-temporal trends. Results indicated that while most samples fell within the permissible limits, samples from some locations showed elevated pH, electrical conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, chloride, and nitrate, suggesting localized contamination from natural and anthropogenic sources. Piper diagram analysis reveals Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-HCO₃− dominance, pointing to carbonate rock dissolution, with some influence from agricultural and industrial activities. WQI classification categorized 76% of samples as fair to excellent, whereas 24% were marginal to poor. A heatmap analysis highlighted an improvement in water quality after 2012, though water from some stations remained persistently poor. Quantum geographic information system-based spatial mapping using the inverse distance weighting technique effectively visualized pollution hotspots and safe water zones. In conclusion, findings from the study underscore the need for regular monitoring, pollution control, advanced treatment methods, and sustainable groundwater management to ensure safe drinking water.

In the era of smart cities, safeguarding electronic health records (EHRs) is crucial to ensure the privacy and security of citizens’ sensitive medical information. Existing medical data transfer methods are vulnerable to privacy breaches, making it challenging to protect patient data. This research proposes a novel blockchain-based approach to secure EHR sharing in smart cities. Our method leverages improved association rule mining to identify sensitive information, which is then encrypted using the Siberian Tiger Integrated Tuna Swarm algorithm to generate an optimal encryption key. The encrypted data are stored on a blockchain, ensuring its integrity and confidentiality. Our proposed model demonstrates maximum robustness against various attacks, including chosen ciphertext attack, chosen-plaintext attack, known ciphertext attack, and known-plaintext attack. This research contributes to the development of secure and privacy-preserving smart health infrastructure in smart cities, enabling the safe sharing of EHRs and promoting better health-care outcomes.