Natural Resources Forum

Abbas, Sohail; Kousar, Shazia; Arsh, Saira

doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70062pmid: N/A

In rural Pakistan, ecologically sensitive regions must encourage rural households to use clean energy. No study has been conducted on the impact of environmental awareness on clean energy and technology adoption in rural Punjab, Pakistan. This study investigates the effect of environmental awareness on clean energy and technology adoption through CFA and SEM analysis. The study collected data from five villages in southern Punjab, Pakistan. Primary data was collected from 450 households using a structured questionnaire. We empirically analyzed 400 valid surveys using structural equation modelling to test the hypotheses. This study utilized a quantitative approach, which is considered an evaluation methodology. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used within structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate the research hypotheses. The results show that energy attributes, clean energy awareness, and environmental concerns positively influence households' intention to use clean energy. Attitude significantly mediates cost, understanding, and intention to use clean energy. Perceived behavioral control mediates between ecological problems and the implementation of the adoption of clean energy within local communities. This research aims to identify forthcoming strategies for the transition to clean energy in rural areas by employing human‐computer interface methodologies.

De, Kritish; Dwivedi, Arvind Kumar

doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70071pmid: N/A

Community‐based conservation (CBC) through alternative livelihood approaches (ALAs) has demonstrated efficacy in both environmental conservation and economic growth. However, its utilization remains suboptimal in the sustainable management of Indian freshwater resources and the socio‐economic advancement of local communities. This review aims to synthesize existing knowledge on ALAs implemented in Indian freshwater systems and to identify gaps for improving their effectiveness. A structured literature review was conducted using major scientific databases and gray literature sources, including policy documents and reports from national and international organizations. Out of 22,969 retrieved publications, 446 studies focused on Indian freshwater systems, of which a subset was critically analyzed for livelihood interventions. The review identifies four major ALA categories in India: ecotourism, religious tourism, aquaculture, and handicrafts with uneven representation and limited integration into conservation frameworks. Overall, the findings indicate that although ALAs contribute to income diversification, their impact on long‐term conservation outcomes remains constrained. The study concludes that scaling up, better integration with policy frameworks, and improved socio‐economic targeting are essential to enhance effectiveness. Strengthening institutional support and expanding underutilized livelihood sectors are recommended to achieve sustainable freshwater resource management and community well‐being.

Kilinc‐Ata, Nurcan; Proskuryakova, Liliana N.

doi: 10.1111/1477-8947.70068pmid: N/A

The convergence of energy transition and digitalization represents two pivotal trends in the global economy that complement each other. The decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is facilitated by larger Internet access and more substantial investments in research and development. This study sheds light on the dual impact of digitalization and innovation on CO2 emissions in the eight Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and two South Caucasus countries in 2000–2020. The article reveals the nuanced role of economic growth in shaping greenhouse gas emission patterns and underscores the important role of digitalization in mitigating CO2 emissions. With the use of FMOLS and quantile panel regression methods, the study proved a positive relationship between digitalization and GDP growth, with digital solutions driving economic expansion. Economic growth shows a clear positive correlation with CO2 levels, supporting the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis of an inverted U‐shape relationship between economic development and CO2 emissions in developing and emerging economies. Digitalization and innovations, on the contrary, contribute to CO2 emissions mitigation. These results underscore the importance of policy support for research and development and digital transformation to promote sustainable, low‐carbon growth.