Research limitations/implicationsThe research does not test interventions targeting the identified segments. However, its findings can inform tailored interventions and subsequent case studies, and influence broader research into multi-stakeholder decision-making.
Daly, M, Kempton, L & McCarthy, T 2025, 'Sustainability of prefabricated construction in Australia: Industry perspectives on challenges and opportunities', Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 102, pp. 111805-111805.
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Foster, T, Lala, S, Budhathoki, R & Kohlitz, J 2025, 'Self-supply as a safely managed water service: comparative analysis and predictors of water service outcomes in rural Nepal', Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 015011-015011.
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Abstract Self-supply is ubiquitous in rural areas of South Asia, including in Nepal, where more than a third of the country’s population obtains their drinking water from private tubewells. However, there has been little research into the service levels delivered by self-supply or its performance relative to public water services. Drawing on data from 1289 tubewells in Sarlahi District in the Terai region of Nepal, this study compared the performance of private and community tubewells in terms of water quality and availability and identified factors that predict service levels. Compared with community tubewells, private tubewells had significantly higher odds of providing water that was free from contamination and available in sufficient quantities when needed (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.19–3.77, p = 0.011). However, inequities were evident among private tubewell users, with marginalized or lower-caste groups having significantly lower odds of accessing a safely managed water service (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54–0.85, p < 0.001). Among private tubewell users, shallower wells and open defecation were significantly associated with the presence of E. coli. The results show that self-supply is capable of providing a safely managed water service and can contribute to efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6. However, targeted support should be directed towards disadvantaged households to safeguard water quality and strengthen service reliability. In particular, programmes that support the installation of deeper tubewells, prevent open defecation and promote household water treatment may bring water quality benefits in areas where self-supply is practised.
Islam, K, Maeno, K, Yokoi, R, Giurco, D, Kagawa, S, Murakami, S & Motoshita, M 2025, 'Geological resource production constrained by regional water availability', Science, vol. 387, no. 6739, pp. 1214-1218.
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Although the global economy requires geological resource mining, production has substantial environmental impacts, including the use of regional available water. In this study, we shed light on the global production capacity of 32 mined geological resources, considering regional water availability as a constraint. We found that current resource mining greatly exceeds regional water constraints for several, notably copper (37% of current production exceeds available water capacity) in 2010. Changing the location of production to regions of lower water stress would alleviate current exceedances of water constraints; however, considering economic factors shows that this is not always feasible. Future demand for geological resources is expected to require a considerable increase in water consumption. Considering the constraints of water resources in geological resource production is crucial for sustainability.
Khakmardan, S, Crawford, RH, Giurco, D & Li, W 2025, 'Constructing a life cycle inventory of Spodumene concentrate production: Greenbushes case, Western Australia', Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 496, pp. 145123-145123.
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Lèbre, E, Czarnota, K, Walsh, SDC, Haynes, M, Ufer, N, Sonter, LJ, Sreekar, R, Bolz, P, Bulovic, N, Côte, C, Kunz, NC, Micklethwaite, S, Northey, SA, Rochford, LM, Schodde, R, Seligmann, B & Sturman, K 2025, 'ESG mapping of the Australian mining sector – The state of play on mobilising spatial datasets for decision making', Resources Policy, vol. 105, pp. 105592-105592.
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Legg, R, Prior, J, McIntyre, E, Liu, E, Tracy, M, Tan, L, Dawson, A, Richmond, J & Perry, C 2025, 'Health system adaptation to extreme weather events in Australia: A scoping review', The Journal of Climate Change and Health, vol. 22, pp. 100443-100443.
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Lord, F, Prior, J & Retamal, M 2025, 'Shifting from adaptive capacity to transformative capacity: a case study of how Sihanoukville can develop the capacity of urban stakeholders to enable sustainability transformation in sanitation', International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 103-119.
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Lortie, J, Cox, K, DeRosset, S, Thompson, R & Kelly, S 2025, 'Unpacking the minimum viable product (MVP): a framework for use, goals and essential elements', Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 212-235.
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PurposeEntrepreneurial practice often relies on the minimum viable product (MVP) to test business model hypotheses, yet the conceptualization of its makeup remains inadequately defined, particularly in uncertain startup contexts. This paper aims to clarify how entrepreneurs should think about MVPs in terms of their uses, goals and essential components to enhance their effectiveness as a tool for navigating uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachExisting literature on MVPs is broad and often overlapping, leading to confusion regarding essential components and best practices for MVP development. Through a systematic analysis of existing published definitions, this paper offers clarity by proposing a framework that breaks the MVP concept up into process, goals and the fundamental elements necessary to launch an MVP. By doing so, it provides actionable guidance for entrepreneurs seeking to utilize MVPs in their business model testing endeavors.FindingsThis conceptual paper critically examines the lean startup approach, seeking to disentangle the complexities surrounding MVP development. Drawing on existing literature and practical insights, the study identifies and articulates a framework that clarifies the MVP concept along with the core elements required for creating a viable MVP, including (a) artistic elements, (b) a robust distribution channel and (c) an effective user feedback mechanism.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to theory development and pedagogical practices by providing a structured framework for understanding and implementing MVPs in entrepreneurial contexts. By identif...
Lozano Paredes, LH, Riedy, C, Baumber, A, Robinson, H, Salignac, F, Matter, S, Spackman, C, Mason, S, Potts, M & Wearne, S 2025, 'Constructive discussion: conceptualising a framework for productive communication across personal, conversational, institutional and cultural spheres', Global Social Challenges Journal, pp. 1-28.
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Increased polarisation and unwillingness to engage with difference create obstacles to addressing complex societal challenges. This can be observed across numerous countries in relation to controversial issues such as climate change, immigration, inequality, housing affordability and racial justice. In this article, we explore the potential for ‘constructive discussion’ to help address these societal challenges. Constructive discussion emphasises a need for diverse perspectives to be raised and exchanged in a manner that enables reflection and practical decision making. Similarly, in order to define and conceptualise what constructive discussion means, a transdisciplinary approach is required to ensure that diverse perspectives, concepts and knowledge bases are included.This article presents a holistic framework for understanding, identifying and applying constructive discussion strategies in a way that acknowledges the multiple contexts and scales at which the concept can be applied. The proposed framework features four nested spheres: personal, conversational, institutional and cultural. Within and across the spheres, a range of relevant concepts can be drawn upon to enable constructive discussion, including reflexivity, transformative learning, deliberative democracy and appreciative inquiry, to name a few. By reviewing these concepts as a transdisciplinary team and integrating them into the proposed framework, we demonstrate how others may apply the framework in future to enhance constructive discussion in diverse contexts.
MacArthur, J, Moung, V, Carrard, N & Willetts, J 2025, 'Personas for program evaluation: Insights from a gender-focused evaluation in Cambodia', Evaluation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 70-91.
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In this article, we argue for the utility of evaluative personas to address common challenges associated with analyzing qualitative data and to support actionable evaluation insights. Personas are fictional composite characters representing subgroups within a broader population. To explore the value of persona development in evaluation, a team of researchers and practitioners applied a persona-based approach to midline evaluation of a gender mainstreaming activity within a sanitation program. Fourteen personas were identified from 199 micro-narratives of change, through thematic analysis and natural-language processing. The personas were used to communicate evaluation insights and as a frame to strengthen gender mainstreaming practice. Our case highlights the value of personas for (1) providing a feasible means to analyze complex textual data sets, (2) producing engaging content that promotes evaluative program reflections, and (3) creating profiles for designing future activities. We reflect on opportunities for other programs to use personas in their evaluations.
Megaw, T, Dhiaulhaq, A, Sambodo, MT, Stacher, N, Sari, D, Haryadi, T, Mc-Donald Madden, E, Maharani, C, Gero, A, Hidayat, S & Rumfabe, M 2025, 'Joined-up Governance and Sustainable Finance for Inclusive Ridge-to-Reef Conservation in Southwest Papua, Indonesia', Environmental Development.
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Southwest Papua province, Indonesia, is home to globally significant terrestrial and marine ecosystems that are critical for biodiversity, carbon storage, and the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). However, increasing exploitation of natural resources, environmental degradation and socio-economic inequities challenge sustainable development in this region. This paper focuses on integrating Ridge to Reef (R2R) governance frameworks and sustainable finance mechanisms to address the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and socio-economic disparities. Specifically, we investigate how joined-up government and innovative financial strategies can support sustainable and inclusive management of Southwest Papua’s interconnected ecosystems. Our study examines governance gaps, explores sustainable financing approaches, and proposes an institutional model for integrated R2R management. Using a mixed-methods approach, including stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory workshops, we developed a proposed governance framework and financing strategies tailored to Southwest Papua's unique ecological and cultural context. This study contributes to the understanding of R2R governance by offering practical and scalable solutions for integrated terrestrial and marine resource management. This research encourages the need to establish the Ridge to Reef Development Collaboration Agency - Southwest Papua Province (BKPR2R-PPBD), as an entry point to strengthen capabilities and resources. This institution will also open up opportunities to build more innovative R2R financing models. It suggests that a blended finance model, where public sector results-based payment schemes help de-risk private capital, can significantly enhance holistic R2R conservation while promoting more equitable resource sharing. Findings also highlight the importance of inclusive governance structures, such as the proposed BKPR2R-PPBD, to bridge sector...
Mendonca Severiano, B, Northey, SA, Hyman, J & Giurco, D 2025, 'Investigating the adoption of voluntary sustainability initiatives when mining for battery minerals: An iterative systems thinking approach', Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 380, pp. 124941-124941.
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Munera‐Roldan, C, Ligtermoet, E, van Kerkhoff, L, Leith, P, Wyborn, C, Davila, F, Rogers, DJ, Grigg, N, Alexandra, C, Carrard, N, Warman, R, Cheok, J, Xenarios, S, Pearson, LJ, Stafford Smith, M & Frankowski, N 2025, 'Coproducing futures: A three‐mode heuristic for reflexive practice toward sustainability', Earth Stewardship, vol. 2, no. 2.
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AbstractCoproduction is commonly used as an action‐oriented practice to collaboratively produce knowledge for different purposes, including supporting institutional change to navigate uncertainty and complexity while enabling pathways to sustainable futures. Futures thinking and related tools are also used to conceive new possibilities or alternative futures and increase collective understanding of change processes. Yet, despite common themes of change, uncertainty, and transformation being strongly related to how we envision and imagine the future, there has been relatively little cross‐fertilization between coproduction and futures thinking, specifically, to understand how the explicit use of the latter can facilitate sustainability transformations. A fundamental question remains about how to facilitate reflexivity and critical thinking across multiple actors, knowledge systems, and values, to shape coherent imaginaries of just and sustainable futures. This article explores the potential of a heuristic relating three modes of futures thinking (predictive, anticipatory, and speculative) and their interconnections to strengthen reflexive and future‐oriented practices in coproduction. We document insights from coproduction researchers and practitioners applying these three modes of futures thinking in their work and how these support reflexive practices. We discuss gaps and opportunities for more future‐oriented coproduction that increase collective awareness and responsible stewardship of nature. Our heuristic can enable critical thinking from researchers and practitioners involved in the pursuit of sustainability transformations to better integrate science, policy, and community engagement to identify innovative ways to address power imbalances and a more proactive engagement with the future.
Opoku Mensah, S, Osei-Acheampong, B, Jacobs, B, Cunningham, R & Akoto, AB 2025, 'Smallholder farmers’ climate change adaptation in Ghana: A systematic literature review and future directions', Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 384, pp. 125598-125598.
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Page, K, Hossain, L, Liu, D, Kim, YH, Wilmot, K, Kenny, P, Campbell, M, Cumming, T, Kelly, S, Longden, T, van Gool, K & Viney, R 2025, 'Outcomes from the Victorian Healthy Homes Program: a randomised control trial of home energy upgrades', BMJ Open, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. e082340-e082340.
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ObjectivesThe Victorian Healthy Homes Program investigated the impact of thermal home upgrades on energy and health outcomes in vulnerable, older individuals over winter in Victoria, Australia.DesignA staggered parallel-group randomised control trial design of 984 (764 per protocol (PP)) vulnerable households and 1313 (1015 PP) individuals. The intervention group received their upgrade prior to their winter of recruitment, and the control group received their upgrade after the winter of their recruitment.SettingWestern Melbourne (metropolitan) and the Goulburn Valley (regional) in Victoria, Australia.Participants1000 households were recruited: 800 from western Melbourne (metropolitan) and 200 from the Goulburn Valley (regional).InterventionA thermal comfort and home energy efficiency upgrade of up to $AUD3500 per household.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the change in indoor temperature over winter and the secondary outcomes were changes in quality of life, healthcare use and costs, self-reported health measures, energy use and costs and humidity.ResultsA relatively low-cost and simple home upgrade (average cost $A2809) resulted in reduced gas consumption (−25.5 MJ/day) and increased indoor winter temperatures (average daily increase of 0.33°C), and a reduction of exposure to cold conditions (<18°C) by an average of 0.71 hours (43 min) per day. The intervention group experienced improved mental health as measured by the short-form 36 mental component summary and social care related quality of life measured b...
Riedy, C 2025, 'Enhancing anticipatory governance to accelerate just energy transitions in Australia', Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 119, pp. 103839-103839.
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Riedy, C, Bless, A, Bohensky, E, Carrard, N, Davila, F, Kligyte, G, Leitch, A, le Hunte, B, Niklas, S, Parsons, M, Pratt, S & Wearne, S 2025, 'Transformative partnerships for a better world: Practices, capacities, and opportunities', Earth Stewardship, vol. 2, no. 2.
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AbstractTransformations toward sustainable, regenerative, and just futures require fundamental changes that can only be achieved by working in partnership. Partnerships across diverse disciplines and perspectives also have the potential to normalize and act on a vision of earth stewardship. In 2023, scholars and practitioners working on transformations gathered at the biennial Transformations Conference to explore how to build, maintain and learn from transformative partnerships for a better world. This article offers a synthesis based on a collective sensemaking of the conference. Drawing on the conference presentations, discussion forums, session outputs and organizer reflections, it takes an appreciative approach to identify capacities and practices that support transformative partnerships and proposes an agenda for further research. The article frames transformative partnerships as processes with six stages: preparing/entering; connecting/relating; cohering/integrating; amplifying/transforming; learning/adapting; and releasing/renewing. These stages are loosely sequential in that each is more prominent at a particular time but progression through them may not be linear. For each stage, multiple supporting practices or capacities are identified, drawing on conference contributions. The article then discusses five priorities for further research, including how to: effectively develop the inner capacities needed for partnership; decolonize partnerships; make partnerships “safe enough” spaces that allow for agonism, action and political struggle; evaluate partnerships; and move from partnerships to building transformation systems.
Rutovitz, J, Langdon, R, Briggs, C, Mey, F, Dominish, E & Nagrath, K 2025, 'Updated employment factors and occupational shares for the energy transition', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 212, pp. 115339-115339.
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Sadegh Koohestani, S, Mukheibir, P, Wakefield-Rann, R & Santamouris, M 2025, 'Adopting a socio-technical perspective on the challenges and barriers in transitioning to Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI)', Blue-Green Systems, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 79-94.
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ABSTRACT Blue-Green Infrastructure is widely recognized as one of the keys to addressing climate change impacts and rapid urbanization challenges. Integrating nature-based solutions enhances cities’ resiliency through sustainable stormwater management, mitigating flood risks while providing various ecosystem services. However, despite these multiple benefits and co-benefits, BGI remains far from mainstream adoption. We conducted a selective literature review to explore this practical gap guided by the socio-technical transition theory. We then employed a multi-level perspective to conceptualize the results, as it helps elucidate the complex nature of this problem beyond the standard variables considered in the existing literature on challenges and barriers to BGI uptake. Finally, we argued the necessity of societal and institutional considerations in addition to the technical aspects while investigating it systematically. We categorized the findings into five clusters including institutional and governance, economics and finance, knowledge and experience, socio-cultural challenges, and spatial planning practices. These clusters are highly interconnected and influenced by one another, revealing the complexity of this issue. Based on these findings, we suggest approaching BGI transitions as a complex problem by using systems thinking practices. This would necessitate dynamic interdisciplinary and connective collaborations among different organizations to bridge this gap.
Sung, J, Shi, X, Teske, S & Li, M 2025, 'Chinese natural gas phase-out pathways: A novel hybrid scenario-specific projection approach to achieve Net Zero', Energy, vol. 328, pp. 136387-136387.
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Tong, S, Bambrick, H, Shi, X, Pascal, M, Prior, J & Lavigne, E 2025, 'Accelerating Clean Energy Transitions to Safeguard Human Health and Survival', Environment & Health, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 114-117.
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Zhou, H, Li, W, Langdon, R, Singh, PJ & Wang, P 2025, 'Exploring the circular economy future of lithium-ion batteries in australia through comprehensive dynamic material flow analysis', Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 220, pp. 108377-108377.
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