Indonesian Journal of Social and Environmental Issues (IJSEI)

Traditional Sustainable Forest Management Practices among the Applai Kankana-ey Community of Bas-ang Tadian Mountain Province

Joshua P. Sammat, Reymark P Rivera, Jay Mark G. Cortado, Angelo L. Lozano — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research contributes to the documentation of the indigenous knowledge and social practice of the Kankana-ey in Bas-ang. This study determined the socio-demographic profile of the respondents and assessed their level of awareness and extent of knowledge on TSFMP, quantified the effectiveness of the adoption of TSFMP, and determined the significance of practicing the distinct TSFMP of Bas-ang. The data collected from a total of 234 respondents has been interpreted and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results show that most respondents are aged 41-45, while those aged 71-75 are the lowest. In terms of gender, 60.17% are male. In civil status, 92.17% are married. In addition, many did not finish college degrees, and a few did not receive formal education. Given their educational background, some are construction workers. Painters, mechanical technicians, and OFWs were determined to be the lowest respondents. The challenges met by the respondents, however, were poor information dissemination on factors affecting TSFMP and knowledge in performing “id-idew” and marking of trees (gitabam).

Appraisal of the Achievements of Sustainable Development Goals and the Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Projects in Plateau State, Nigeria

Andesikuteb Yakubu Ali, Clement Yakubu Giwa , Ezra Lekwot Vivan, Tony Aku Amba — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study appraises the role of SDGs and the provision of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in Plateau State, Nigeria, from 2015 to 2020. It utilized both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were obtained through stakeholder interviews conducted on the Engineering staff of the SDGs office in Jos, Plateau State, the users of these projects were randomly sampled across the State and field observation of the authors. The secondary data, on the other hand, were obtained from the reports and other documents of the same SDGs office. In this study, frequency tables and maps were used in presenting and analysing the results. The study also found that the WASH projects were executed for social, political, and to some extent economic reasons and are not sustainable due to the inability of the government to carry the end users along from execution stages. Results also show that these projects are not evenly distributed across wards, districts, and Local Government Areas in Plateau State due to the presence and agglomeration of some of them in especially the metropolitan places and enumerated the benefits of these WASH projects to users to include reduced distance to water source, time savings, reduction in rates of open defecation and reduction in diseases rate. It is concluded that some level of government- community collaborations should be fostered to enable the projects become sustainable in delivering their gains in all locations of the State. The study recommends, among other things, the replication of these projects within communities across the state, the involvement of the communities at stages of execution, and the establishment of a mechanism for the sustainability of the projects.

The Commitment of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Supporting Sustainable Development Goal 12 through the Zero Waste Zero Emission Policy in 2020–2024

Zaharani Firdaushi — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines the commitment of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 through the Zero Waste Zero Emission (ZWZE) policy during 2020–2024. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the research analyzes official documents, implementation reports, and secondary data to identify the gaps between formal policy targets and their real-world implementation. The findings reveal that KLHK has established ambitious targets, including reducing waste generation by 30%, mandatory waste sorting at the source, transforming landfills into sanitary facilities, applying circular economy principles, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the waste sector. However, the implementation data from 2022–2023 indicates significant discrepancies, such as 65.83% of waste still being landfilled, low household waste sorting (<20%), and uneven deployment of innovative waste processing facilities such as waste-to-energy plants (PLTSa), refuse-derived fuel (RDF), biodigesters, and maggot cultivation. These gaps highlight the importance of active citizen participation, institutional effectiveness, and the integration of ecological principles, which can be analyzed through Andrew Dobson’s Green Politics framework. The study concludes that achieving SDG 12 requires not only formal policy commitments but also operational strategies, cross-sectoral coordination, and enhanced public awareness. The research provides empirical evidence and strategic recommendations to strengthen the implementation of ZWZE and accelerate the achievement of SDG 12 in Indonesia.

Climate Governance and the Future of Smallholder Agriculture Under Increasing Environmental Uncertainty in Zimbabwe

Shingirai Mugambiwa, Frank Rapholo — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This paper investigates the intersection of climate governance and the resilience of smallholder agriculture under conditions of increasing environmental uncertainty. The study employed a qualitative methodology. Data were acquired through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary scrutiny of relevant policy texts. The sample comprised thirty (30) participants consisting of farmers, agricultural extension officers, and representatives of non-governmental organizations in the Mutoko district of Zimbabwe. Thematic Analysis was employed to analyse data. The findings of the study revealed systematic divergences between policy aspirations and grassroots implementation, particularly in domains of land tenure security, equitable allocation of agricultural inputs, and the inclusivity of support schemes. The study also established that governance instruments remain predominantly prescriptive and centralized, effectively blocking the experiential contributions of women, youth, and economically marginal farmers, all of whom shoulder disproportionate climatic risk and live on the edges of subsistence.

Determinants of Indonesia’s Environmental Quality Index, Including Human Development, Economic Growth, Deforestation, and Budget Allocation

Rajib Wahyu Nugroho, Maryono, Jafron Wasiq Hidayat — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Environmental quality in Indonesia remains under sustained pressure due to ongoing deforestation, resource-intensive economic growth, and persistent regional development disparities. This study analyzes the influence of the Human Development Index (HDI), Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), deforestation, and regional government revenue and expenditure budgets on the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) across 33 Indonesian provinces. The analysis employs panel data regression, with a Fixed Effects Model selected based on the Hausman specification test. The results reveal that HDI exerts a positive and statistically significant effect on environmental quality, with a one-point increase in HDI corresponding to a 1.988-point rise in the EQI. Deforestation and regional government budget variables do not demonstrate statistically significant effects on the EQI. These findings suggest that higher levels of human development are associated with improved environmental conditions, whereas economic growth trajectories that are predominantly driven by natural resource exploitation continue to degrade environmental quality. Accordingly, regional development policies should be directed toward strengthening human development performance, integrating environmental considerations into economic growth processes, and enhancing the effectiveness of regional budget allocations for environmental sustainability, in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

Digital Environmentalism: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Climate Awareness and Action

Deepak Kumar Saini, Arzoo Rana — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. This review examines the multifaceted role of social media in contemporary environmental movements, exploring how digital platforms have transformed climate communication, analyzing the effectiveness of digital campaigns, and addressing the challenges and limitations of online environmental activism. Through a comprehensive synthesis of recent scholarship on digital environmentalism, this article provides insights into both the potential and pitfalls of social media as a tool for climate action. The findings reveal that social media serves as a powerful tool for raising climate awareness and mobilizing action when used strategically, while also facing significant limitations, including misinformation, the digital divide, and platform dependency. The review concludes that hybrid approaches combining digital and traditional organizing methods, alongside intentional efforts to bridge accessibility gaps and advance environmental justice, represent the most promising path forward for effective climate action.

Eco-friendly Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) and its Potential Use in Construction Projects

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Naturally occurring stone deposits are being rapidly depleted due to the exploitation of resources. Consequently, using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) for construction works could be a sustainable alternative to promoting circularity in construction. Thus, the study assesses the extent of RCA usage in construction projects, intending to enhance sustainability through circular economy strategies by assessing the solid waste materials found in RCA, evaluating the factors driving the usage of RCA, and determining the extent of RCA usage in construction project delivery. The study employed a cross-sectional research design to collect data in one session. Construction professionals with prior RCA experience constitute the study's population. The study adopts a multi-sampling technique where the snowball and purposive sampling methods were used to select 161 construction practitioners in Lagos Metropolis. The statistical tools deployed for analysis comprised frequency, percentage, mean score, relative importance index, percentage mean utilization, and ranking. Findings revealed that RCA is mostly employed for hardcore filling in foundation construction. Besides, RCA is barely utilized in 4.8% of construction projects. The study concludes that the current level of RCA usage for construction works falls short of its full potential. This implies that RCA is underutilized in construction, resulting in the continued depletion of natural resources. Therefore, the study recommends that construction practitioners employ RCA in areas where they are not engaged to optimize RCA eco-friendliness through circular economy strategies. This may be accomplished by specifying the material for construction works and developing the requisite technology to unlock its potential fully.

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Rural Households' Participation in Commercial Fuelwood Production in Jawi District, Northwest Ethiopia

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study assesses the factors influencing household participation in fuelwood production in Jawi district, northwest Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling method was used. The district and kebeles were purposefully selected. Snowball sampling techniques were employed to select fuelwood producers, while random sampling was used for non-producers. Data collection involved household questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of household participation in fuelwood production. The results showed that the occurrence of crop pests, livestock holding size, total landholding size, distance from the homestead to the forest, institutional membership, education level of the household head, and total annual income are significant factors affecting participation. The study concludes and recommends that addressing crop pests, improving livestock productivity, creating alternative income sources, raising awareness, and promoting sustainable forest management through effective policies and stronger institutional frameworks can enhance rural livelihoods and help conserve natural forests.

Seasonal Variations in Particulate Matter Concentrations and Risk Factors for Respiratory Symptoms Among Residents Near Dumpsites in Benin City, Nigeria

Aimuanmwosa Frank Eghomwanre, Faith Osayekemwen Edokpolo — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Rapid urbanization in Nigeria has increased the number of open dumpsites and waste burning, which are significant sources of particulate matter (PM). This study investigated seasonal PM variations and respiratory risk factors near the Otofure dumpsite in Benin City. PM2.5 and PM10 levels were measured at the dumpsite and residential areas during the wet and dry seasons. A cross-sectional survey was also conducted with 204 residents to assess self-reported health symptoms and potential risk factors. The data were analysed using nonparametric tests and logistic regression. The PM concentrations at the dumpsite (62.5–121.4 μg/m3) consistently exceeded residential levels and WHO 24-hour guidelines. The dry season peaks reached 8 times (PM2.5) and 2 times (PM10) the recommended limits, with significantly higher median concentrations than those in the wet season (p<0.05). Prevalent symptoms included cough (44.1%), eye irritation (27.0%), and shortness of breath (25.5%). Waste collection was significantly associated with shortness of breath (aOR: 4.52) and skin rashes (aOR: 2.85). Residents living in the area for 5–9 years were 3.71 times more likely to report eye irritation than shorter-term residents were. The Otofure dumpsite is a major source of PM pollution, creating a disproportionate health burden and environmental injustice. Urgent interventions are needed, including the cessation of open burning, improved waste management, and community health education to protect vulnerable residents.

Analysis of Hydrological Characteristics of River, Canal, and Lake: A Case Study Sun Ye In –Se Gon Area Sint Gaing and Kyaukse Townships, Mandalay Region

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Among the most significant branches of the Zawgyi River (ZGR) are the Thindwe dam (TDD), Thindwe canal (TDC), and Sun Ye In (SYI), all of which are known to be impacted by household and agricultural pollution. In this study, many physicochemical parameters (temperature, conductivity, salinity, TDS, pH, and ORP) were measured to assess the water quality of ZGR, TDD, TDC, and SYI. Between March 2024 and March 2025, water samples were taken from ZGR, which is situated at the bottom of SYI Lake, on average, ten times per month. All experimental data were gathered in the field and assessed as drinking water based on WHO (World Health Organization) and EC (European Communities) standards. The surface water's pH, temperature, ORP, TDS, and EC were distributed spatially. ArcGIS 10.7 was used to identify the seasons based on the water quality by using the spatial distribution of pH, temperature, ORP, TDS, and EC in the surface water. Additionally, TDS and EC accumulations in TDC water were found to be significantly greater than drinking water limitations.