sustainable business management case study

Sustainability Case Studies

See how we’re helping clients cut carbon, fuel growth, and turn sustainability into a source of resilience.

Deep dives: how we helped clients achieve sustainability success 

How a global components manufacturer built an ambitious carbon reduction roadmap

Building a next-generation carbon platform to accelerate the path to net zero

With gen AI, helping green businesses strengthen our ‘blue economy’

A world record for Formula E, propelled by McKinsey’s AI

Xcel Energy: Driving towards net zero with the power of digital

How Lufthansa is using data to reduce costs and improve spend and carbon transparency

The big picture: client triumphs translated into takeaways for you.

Decarbonizing air freight with sustainable aviation fuel

Building a corporate start-up to provide access to photovoltaic power generation for homeowners at scale

Quantifying the impact of advanced technologies in net-zero pathways

Building and launching a B2B business for a circular economy

Building new green businesses for a world leader in energy solutions

Circularity transformation for a leading appliance manufacturer

Quick reads: take ten seconds to find out how we made a difference, uncovering $240 million annual savings in sustainable packaging, removing 82% of co2 emissions while raising operational profit, decreasing carbon footprint by up to 90%, driving business impact with a private equity climate fund, connect with mckinsey sustainability.

Center for Sustainable Business | Case Studies

Case studies in sustainable business, the center for sustainable business compiles case studies and other educational resources related to sustainable business on topics including finance, management, supply chain, and organizational development..

How can students best prepare for a world in which they will have to assess and manage sustainability (environmental, social and governance) issues in most functional roles — from marketing to finance? CSB hopes to support students and faculty by publishing and recommending the case studies below that examine sustainability in a variety of roles and companies.

Recent Case Studies published by CSB and others:

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Sustainable business practices

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Reinventing the Chief Marketing Officer: An Interview with Unilever CMO Keith Weed

• Gardiner Morse
• July 21, 2014

We Can't Fight Climate Change Without Fighting for Gender Equity

• Jamie L Gloor
• Eugenia Bajet Mestre
• Corinne Post
• Winfried Ruigrok
• July 26, 2022

Dow Asks, What's the Business Case for Protecting Nature?

• Andrew Winston
• February 03, 2011

Ask Customers to Use Less of Your Product: The Big Heresy

• February 10, 2011

Case Study: How Would You Save This Farm?

• Forest L. Reinhardt
• Alison Beard
• From the November 2016 Issue

Cloud Computing is Greener

• March 02, 2011

Copenhagen: Climate Talks Are a Serious Circus

• Nicholas Eisenberger
• December 11, 2009

Gathering Green Data: Tools and Tips

• December 03, 2009

A Better Way to Talk About the Climate Crisis

• Gretchen Gavett
• January 30, 2020

The Future of Nuclear Energy

• March 14, 2011

What Impact Investors Can Learn from the Organizations They Work with

• Saadia Madsbjerg
• Judith Rodin
• February 08, 2021

The New “Green” Stamp

• Paul Michelman
• June 02, 2008

Why an Activist Hedge Fund Cares Whether Apple’s Devices Are Bad for Kids

• Robert G. Eccles
• January 16, 2018

The Climate-Equity Connection

• Auden Schendler
• May 13, 2021

The Inside Story of Diageo’s Stunning Carbon Achievement

• February 20, 2013

Doing the Right Thing or Making a Profit – Which Comes First?

• Eric J. McNulty
• February 18, 2013

Companies That Don’t Manage Utilities Strategically Are Throwing Money Away

• March 22, 2016

What Do People Really Believe About Climate Change?

• January 27, 2020

GM Saves Energy Through Smart IT

• March 29, 2011

Where’s the Green in Green Business?

• From the June 2002 Issue

Drinkotec: Changing a company, changing a life (A): Daring to change

• Jim Pulcrano
• Giancarlo Luchetta Bedin
• Srinivas Reddy Mamidi
• Anton Rozhkovskiy
• Bakel Walden
• July 11, 2023

You Can't Market Manure at Lunchtime: And Other Lessons from the Food Industry for Creating a More Sustainable Company

• Maisie Ganzler
• April 02, 2024

Race and Rise Against the Tide: Sustainable Development for Singapore

• Cheng Boon Koh
• Chong Wei Stephen Chua
• February 28, 2022

HBR's 10 Must Reads 2024: The Definitive Management Ideas of the Year from Harvard Business Review (with bonus article "Democratizing Transformation" by Marco Iansiti and Satya Nadella)

• Harvard Business Review
• Marco Iansiti
• Satya Nadella
• Lynda Gratton
• Ella F Washington
• October 10, 2023

Polygreen and Tilos: The World's First Zero-Waste Island

• Atalay Atasu
• Luk Wassenhove Van
• Xabier Barriola
• Elin Williams
• November 26, 2023

Beetle Beats: Finding a SOUND Market for ADT

• Kathryn S Savage
• Chris Scherpereel
• Mason Gerety
• Richard Hofstetter
• June 01, 2018

Career at a Crossroad: Akhil Patel

• Noam Wasserman
• August 01, 2011

Drinkotec: Changing a company, changing a life (B): Taking the leap

The Future of Work: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review

• Deborah Grayson Riegel
• Brian Kropp
• Ranjay Gulati
• Joseph B. Fuller
• August 17, 2021

Because There is No Planet B: The Case of Ecoalf

• Martina Pasquini
• Berend van der Kolk
• April 08, 2019

Ford Resource and Engagement Center: Recovery Through the Power of Networks

• Sheri Lambert
• December 22, 2021

ELYSIS: Are We on the Verge of a Green Revolution?

• Yves Plourde
• Vincent Locas
• December 01, 2023

HBR's 10 Must Reads 2022: The Definitive Management Ideas of the Year from Harvard Business Review (with bonus article "Begin with Trust" by Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss)

• Frances X. Frei
• Anne Morriss
• Morten T. Hansen
• Robert Livingston
• October 12, 2021

Wild Herbs Grow Tall: Mastering Structural Change in Lusatia - Lusiza (B)

• Jens Weinmann
• Martin Kupp
• Hans Ruediger Lange
• May 19, 2020

Can Salesforce Compete in the Carbon Accounting Market?

• Andrew Hoffman
• April 12, 2022

Pfizer: Environmental and Business Benefits of Green Chemistry

• Vesela Veleva
• Madhura Sarkar
• June 03, 2015

Technologies Ecofixe: Green Wastewater Treatment for Africa

• Roxanne Lavoie-Drapeau
• Gwyneth Edwards
• May 05, 2020

American Electric Power: Facing the Challenges of Distributed Generation

• Richard H.K. Vietor
• Hilary White
• June 26, 2015

ESG: Tools for Preparing Your Team for the Future

• Mark R. Kramer
• August 09, 2024

The HASSLACHER Group: The Capital Equipment Decision

• Ioannis Ioannou
• May 01, 2024

From Plague to Paradigm: Designing Sustainable Retail Environments

• Steve Bishop
• May 01, 2008

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3 Business Sustainability Case Studies And Why They Worked

Here’s how big industry players like Lyft, Patagonia and Danone took up sustainable initiatives to elevate their businesses while helping the planet.

Founded in 2012, Lyft is now an $11 billion ride-hailing company, second in the industry to Uber alone. Lyft along with Uber has been criticized for contributing to emissions and increasing congestion , however, the company is taking steps to work towards better solutions. In 2017, the ride-sharing service shared its 2025 climate impact goals which also includes a switch to autonomous electric vehicles powered by renewable energy and reducing overall CO2 emissions in the transportation sector.

Riding Carbon Neutral

“Paul Hawken’s Ecology of Commerce demonstrates how industry and the environment do not have to be at odds, and if we work to find the right solutions, the two can (and must) work together.” This excerpt from the Lyft co-founders’ carbon neutral announcement communicates the drive behind the company’s sustainable initiative.

To take their concern for the environment and communities one step further, Lyft also took on a multi-million dollar investment to make all their rides carbon neutral. Their carbon-neutral pledge directly funds emission mitigation efforts, including the reduction of emissions in the automotive manufacturing process, renewable energy programs, forestry projects, and the capture of emissions from landfills. By 2019, Lyft spent well over $2 million on carbon credits . This is equivalent to 2,062,500 metric tons of carbon – the amount Lyft estimates it emits across its entire operations.

Takeaway – Brand Image Harmony Earns Customers

The effort to go carbon neutral falls in line with Lyft’s larger marketing strategy. The ride-sharing app has consistently focused on friendly, easy-going community-based messaging. This marketing angle has largely contributed to its success. In 2017, Lyft was in control of a third of the US ride-sharing market while Uber was losing part of its own.

This initiative creates a strong association in the minds of the consumer – Lyft cares about offering its riders the best possible option. In turn, this large scale perception snowballs into greater customer retention and acquisition rates.

2. Patagonia

The founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, built the outdoor clothing brand with the clear vision to protect nature. Since the company’s advent, this steadfast mission has translated into cuts of their profits being donated to worthy environmental causes, switches to organic cotton, LEED Certified buildings, FSC Certification, 1% for the Planet Organization, and Common Threads Garment Recycling Program to name a few.

Buy Less, Use More

Patagonia’s Common Threads Recycling Program took back 45 tons of clothes for recycling from their customers and made 34 tons into new clothes. To build on this bold initiative to make all their clothes recyclable in 5 years, Patagonia launched their The Common Threads Initiative (2011) that encouraged consumers to repair and reuse their clothing rather than disposing of it, returning them for recycling or replacing them once worn out. The bold initiative sprouted from the insight that recycling is not the solution – reducing it. Marketing efforts for the initiative were geared towards encouraging higher quality products with longer shelf lives over those that might wear out quicker. For those that do wear out, Patagonia offered a free customer repair service that keeps their products in the loop for longer.

The brand put out “Don’t Buy This Jacket” ads that actively discouraged their audience from purchasing their products. The risky but refreshing angle earned them a massive PR splash. The marketing community expected the initiative to cause a steep decline in Patagonia’s sales.

Takeaway: Genuinity Earns Goodwill

Contrary to these predictions, the campaign was at the core of the greatest success the brand had seen in 2 years . The initiative repaired more than 30,000 items in 18 months . Sales increased by 30% to $540 million in the following year.

When questioned on the forces behind this success, Rob BonDurant (Vice President on Global Marketing) said “The discerning consumer targeted by Patagonia will be more likely to buy one of the company’s (relatively pricey) fleeces rather than those of its (mostly cheaper) rivals. And that fleece will last for years, so avoiding the need to buy replacements every other season or so. Patagonia even offers a free repair service to discourage you from chucking it in the bin liner as soon as it gets frayed or torn. Hence, while Patagonia itself sells more stuff, the argument goes, the overall volume of stuff sold goes down.”

Danone is a leader in a global food and beverage industry, offering product lines ranging from dairy and plant-based products to water. Danone also happens to be a brand with one of the largest plastic footprints , which has been heavily criticized. However, through meticulous efforts and conscious initiatives, the company has built a strong brand on sustainable food values. Given their wide product range, their sustainability policies are also varied enough to complement their widespread impact. “It is increasingly vital for companies and brands to realize that the path ahead is one of technological investment, sustainable development, and high quality in all aspects of product production, packaging included”, says the CEO Andreas Ostermayr.

Finding Sustainability Strategies That Work For You

According to Danone’s CEO, Emmanuel Faber, “Consumers are craving change. They expect large organisations like Danone to bring our scale of impact to change the world for the better.”  Danone took multiple strides in the sustainable direction in 2018. They introduced new plant-based products, made drastic changes to their packaging and announced their 2030 sustainable goals to green their products even further.

As of 2018, 87% of Danone’s total packaging (and 77% of its plastic packaging) was reusable, recyclable, or compostable. At Least 50% of its water volumes are sold in reusable jugs. The F&B giant is taking greater strides toward the circular packaging model with the following goals

Launch 100% recycled PET bottles in all our major water markets (by 2021)

Reach 25% of recycled material on average in plastic packaging by 2025, 50% on average for water and beverage bottles, and 100% for Evian bottle (by 2025)

Offer consumers bottles made from 100% bioplastic.

Beyond the packaging phase of implementing a circular economy, Danone has also emphasized the importance of investing in the infrastructure of waste management systems. Danone and the Danone Ecosystem Fund have launched projects to support waste pickers in 7 countries. Through this project, they have ensured safe working conditions, appropriate wages, and social protection. By 2018, close to 6,000 waste pickers were professionally empowered, and more than 45,000 tons of waste were recycled yearly. To further express their support for the circular economy model, they invested $5 million dollars in the Closed Loop Fund to finance the recycling and circular economy infrastructure across North America.

Danone’s annual progress report proves that their efforts to make sustainable improvements did not go unnoticed.

Takeaway: Environmental Impact Reporting is Key

The transparency with which Danone regears their supply chain and takes on new environmental commitments shows their dedication to delivering the best customer experience possible. Their effort to make their products and processes sustainable is driven home through their consistent communications. The in-depth reports and PR announcements on initiatives taken to help their consumers lead more sustainable lives help build the association of customer consideration. By keeping their consumers in the loop, the brand has established a deeper connection with them. The consumer has every reason to believe that the company really does want what is best for their own health.

The more Danone experiments with environmentally beneficial innovations and communicates the same with their consumers, the more appealing the brand grows. They have made commitments related to carbon emission reduction, sustainable product packaging, food security, sustainable agriculture, and more. The increasing number of commitments to newer environmental innovations serves as a testament to their higher vision of providing consumers with the best possible product and consumer experience.

It’s not just these huge companies that can incorporate sustainability into their practices. If you’re a small company but are passionate about the world’s sustainability progress check out our blog on Ways Small Businesses Can Win Big With Sustainability CSR here .

We have developed a solution to turn your business’s waste practices sustainable through our Plastic Neutral platform . For every kg of plastic you use in operations and packaging, we recover and recycle an equivalent amount with our verified impact partners. We also help you market your Plastic Neutral Certification so that you realize all the benefits of investing in sustainability as soon as you join us. Sign up for a 30-minute free consultation at www.business.repurpose.global/contactus and start your company’s journey towards Plastic Neutrality today.

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Sustainable Business Strategy

Learn how businesses thrive and grow while simultaneously solving some of the world's biggest challenges in this course from Harvard Business School (HBS) Online.

• Introductory

Associated Schools

Harvard Business School

What you'll learn.

Understand/Analyze the business models that can drive change

Influence management, leadership, and other key stakeholders as to the competitive advantages of being a purpose-driven firm

Examine the broader political and social landscape in which you operate

Understand why collective efforts are important and how business can be a catalyst for system level change

Determine what YOU can do in your career to become a purpose-driven leader

Course description

Climate change. Income inequality. Social injustice. These are just three of the big problems of our time. In Sustainable Business Strategy, you will learn how businesses can thrive and grow while simultaneously playing a major role in solving some of these big problems. You will also learn how you as an individual can make a difference.

Through interactive online case studies with leading companies such as Walmart and Unilever, you will learn why purpose-driven firms perform well, and how they can kickstart the wheel of change. You will examine different business models and gain an understanding of the broader landscape including the role of government, investors, and customers.

Instructors

Rebecca M. Henderson

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Hoffmann Institute

Research that Drives Sustainability: Case Studies 2021/2022

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From lab-grown shrimp to low-emission cement and circular denim manufacturing, INSEAD faculty have produced 12 case studies examining sustainability in key sectors

As a leading global business school, INSEAD produces responsible research to inform thinking and decisions by business leaders. The school often uses these studies to teach in the case method, which encourages students to explore and think deeply about real-world challenges. By producing case studies that highlight the benefits of sustainable business practices, the school can showcase what is possible in terms of innovation and sustainability.

To support this research, the INSEAD Hoffmann Global Institute for Business and Society presents 12 sustainability-related case studies published during Academic Year 2021/2022. Each case addresses challenges from key economic sectors and highlights how business leaders can move towards sustainability solutions.

Cement Industry

Professor Henrich Greve focused on the Indian cement-making industry and Dalmia Cement in particular. Cement is critical for growth in the developing world but at the same time produces extensive CO 2 emissions. Cement is required for construction of essential infrastructure such as bridges, buildings and roads. Professor Greve pointed out that some firms in India’s cement industry, including Dalmia Cement, are making efforts towards sustainability goals. This case highlights that orienting a firm’s focus on sustainability releases innovation and can yield positive results even in a heavy industry sector.

Fashion is another sector with a substantial carbon footprint. In this case, Professors Atalay Atasu and Luk Van Wassenhove analysed Turkish denim manufacturer ORTA Anadolu , a company designing denim products around circular economy processes. The research focuses on circular processes that require both sustainable production and consumption. This case examines a firm taking the operational steps needed to address sustainability and promote circular fashion. “Beliefs and intent are useful, but our goal is to provide frameworks and a deeper understanding, allowing one to be an actor in the necessary transition rather than just an advocate,” Professor Van Wassenhove said.

Health Care

Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is an important target under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this case study , professors Stephen E. Chick and Ridhima Aggarwal discussed the Kenyan government’s pilot UHC programme launched in 2018 in four of Kenya’s 47 counties to allow access to health services. Universal health coverage will be scaled across the country based on findings from the initial pilot. “The case allows for a discussion of the design and execution of a UHC programme through the lenses of operational excellence and strategy execution,” Professor Chick explained.

Private Equity

Sustainability and ESG considerations are increasingly in focus for the investment industry as fund managers seek to account for the environmental impact of the businesses they invest in. This case study by Professor Claudia Zeisberger discussed the ESG journey of Pro-Invest Group, an investment firm that specialises in private equity real estate. The case describes how Pro-Invest Group co-founder and co-CEO Europe, Dr. Sabine Schaffer, embraced sustainability and led Pro-Invest to be recognized with the highest environmental ratings. Sustainability is an emerging priority in the private equity sector due to financial returns and benefits such as retaining staff, boosting innovation, and attracting investors. “Firms want to and need to learn about how to implement sustainability and ESG considerations into their businesses, funds and assets,” Professor Zeisberger said.

Food Systems

In a case study focused on food production. Professor N. Craig Smith studied Singapore entrepreneur Sandhya Sriram, co-founder of Shiok Meats. This innovative start-up grows seafood products, including shrimp meat, in a laboratory with an aim to reduce in environmental pressure. “The Singapore start-up was the first in the world to develop a commercially-viable way to grow shrimp meat from stem cells – meat that could be eaten without needing to kill animals,” Professor Smith said. The name “Shiok” can mean delicious in Singaporean slang.

Branding Responsibility

In a case study on condiment market, Professor Paulo Albuquerque investigated if a company’s larger sense of purpose can have a positive impact on that company’s retail sales. This case explores how Unilever Hellmann was losing its once dominant market share in European mayonnaise to its rival Kraft Heinz. Case participants discussed several options Unilever Hellmann had to gain market share back from Kraft Heinz including articulating that its brands contributed to the improvement of society.

Agriculture

In a case study on food production, Amitava Chattopadhyay discussed how Carla Barbotó and Santiago Peralta built Pacari, an award-winning ethical chocolate brand with more than 160 accolades including World’s Best Chocolate. This brand is 100% Ecuadorian from farmer to consumer and encourages farmers improve their methods and grow premium beans. The company seeks to close the vast gap between chocolate producers and consumers in Ecuador, a country where impoverished cacao farmers export beans and companies import chocolate for consumers. The case study explores how Pacari differentiated the brand in the market by embracing the values of community and sustainability.

Human Resources

In the case study, Professor Quy Huy explores the importance of people-centred growth for Haidilao , a Chinese hot pot restaurant chain. The chain built their growth on exceptional service enabled by a focus on staff welfare as outlined in SDG #8 ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’. The case study explores the factors that enabled Haidilao’s expansion, including the five-part HR system which places people first and created a corporate culture of excellence. “The secret sauce was the company’s attention to the welfare of its employees, who were encouraged to work hard to progress fast,” Prof Quy explained.

Food Industry

This three-part case study authored by Professor Stanislav Shekshnia and Professor Ludo Van der Heyden discussed Danone Group. In 1972, twenty years before the phrase “sustainable development” became widely used, Danone founder Antoine Ribaud proclaimed that corporate leaders should conduct the affairs of their companies with their hearts as well as their heads. Years later in 2019, Danone’s new leader Emmanuel Faber introduced a financial metric to track the company’s “carbon adjusted earnings per-share”. As Danone invested capital to reduce its carbon footprint, this financial metric tracked progress in reducing environmental impact. In 2020, Danone was granted enterprise a’ mission status in France, which means its social and environment objectives work in harmony with profit objectives.

Tea Production

In a case study on Dilmah Ceylon Tea , Professors Amitava Chattopadhyay and Luk Van Wassenhove discussed the organisation’s commitment to quality tea measured by taste, goodness and purpose. The company’s ethical principles are guided by the “Dilmah Standard”, which follows national and international quality systems and certifications to produce ‘single-origin tea’. Dilmah also established the Dilmah Conservation and Sustainability Unit and invests no less than 15% of its pre-tax profits into humanitarian and environmental initiatives each year. The case study explores the possibility to increase Dilmah profits and growth by leveraging the company’s focus on humanitarian and environmental issues in its brand strategy.

Business practices with a large carbon footprint or high human cost can contribute to some of our most pressing global issues. If left unaddressed, these unsustainable practices can have negative impacts on society. With the right strategies, thoughtful leadership and proactive planning, companies can move towards more sustainable business models and open new opportunities. By learning from innovative companies and seeing inspiring examples, business leaders can better understand how their company can step into the solution space.

As a champion of sustainability in business and responsible research, the Hoffmann Institute remains committed to support thought-provoking research and case studies that show a new, more sustainable path to prosperity. The latest thinking by INSEAD faculty shows that together we can change how business is done and truly make business a force for good.

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Sustainability case studies

Discover how we assist clients in achieving sustainable outcomes and increased trust through the development of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, responsible investing practices, and effective reporting methods.

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Sustainability is a rising priority of governments, investors, and consumers. So how should companies react to, and get in front of, the complex and evolving expectations of these stakeholders in ways that create value?

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Managing Sustainable Business

An Executive Education Case and Textbook

• © 2019
• Gilbert G. Lenssen 0 ,
• N. Craig Smith 1

ABIS, The Academy of Business in Society, Brussels, Belgium

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INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France INSEAD, Singapore, Singapore

• ess in Society provides a space on its website supporting this book with open access for course leaders
• The case studies reflect the complexity, ambivalence and uncertainty of real managerial life "in the trenches"
• The cases are framed from the premise that no business can be sustainable without being profitable and delivering competitive returns on investment
• They offer insights how sustainable profitability can be enhanced by integrating context issues into the business model
• The texts give useful background information and framing written for managers. They are easy accessible without reducing the complexity of the issues at hand. References for further reading are provided for each part
• The entire book can be used as a course book for an executive education module Per part, a few case studies can be selected. Each part is introduced by setting out the key concepts and challenges. The opening chapter "Managing Sustainable Business in a Global Context" can be used as a preparatory
• reading to the module
• ABIS, The Academy of Busin

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About this book

This book offers 32 texts and case studies from across a wide range of business sectors around a managerial framework for Sustainable Business. The case studies are developed for and tested in executive education programmes at leading business schools.

The book is based on the premise that the key for managing the sustainable business is finding the right balance over time between managing competitiveness and profitability AND managing the context of the business with its political, social and ecological risks and opportunities. In that way, a sustainable business is highly responsive to the demands and challenges from both markets and societies and managers embrace the complexity, ambivalence and uncertainty that goes along with this approach.

The book presents a framework that facilitates the adoption of best business practice. This framework leads executives through a systematic approach of strategic analysis and business planning in risk management, issues management, stakeholder management, sustainable business development and strategic differentiation, business model innovation and developing dynamic capabilities.

The approach helps broaden the understanding of what sustainable performance means, by protecting business value against sustainability risks and creating business value from sustainability opportunities. 

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Table of contents (31 chapters)

Front matter, the scenario approach to possible futures for oil and natural gas.

• Jeremy Bentham

Beyond BP: The Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Disaster 2010

• David Grayson

Wal-Mart’s Sustainable Product Index

• Robert J. Crawford, N. Craig Smith

Tetra Pak: Sustainable Initiatives in China

• Fu Jia, Zhaohui Wu, Jonathan Gosling

INEOS ChlorVinyls: A Positive Vision for PVC (A)

• N. Craig Smith, Dawn Jarisch

Expect the Unexpected: Building Business Value in a Changing World

• KPMG International

Pathways to Corporate Responsibility - Revisited

• Simon Zadek

GSK: Profits, Patents and Patients: Access to Medicines

Revenue flow and human rights: the paradoxes of shell in nigeria.

• Aileen M. Ionescu-Somers

Ziqitza Health Care Limited: Responding to Corruption

How gap engaged with its stakeholders.

• N. Craig Smith, Sean Ansett, Lior Erez

Barrick Gold: A Perfect Storm at Pascua Lama

• N. Craig Smith, Erin McCormick

Walmart: Love, Earth (A)

• N. Craig Smith, Robert J. Crawford

Shell Nigeria: Changing the Community Engagement Model

• Onajomo Akemu, Alexandra Mes, Lauren Comiteau

Economy of Mutuality: Equipping the Executive Mindset for Sustainable Business

• Kevin T. Jackson

Editors and Affiliations

Gilbert G. Lenssen

INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France

N. Craig Smith

INSEAD, Singapore, Singapore

About the editors.

Gilbert Lenssen  is President Emeritus of  the European Academy of Business in Society (ABIS).  He was Professor of International Management at the College of Europe (Bruges/Warsaw), Visiting Fellow at Templeton College, University of Oxford and served on the editorial boards of a number of academic journals. He taught in the EMBA programmes of leading business schools in Holland, France and UK. Before moving into academia, Gilbert Lenssen enjoyed an international corporate career in the oil and chemicals industry for over 25 years in the UK, USA, Germany, Spain and India, culminating in his position as Global Vice President for BP Solar International. He is a lifelong fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Bibliographic Information

Book Title : Managing Sustainable Business

Book Subtitle : An Executive Education Case and Textbook

Editors : Gilbert G. Lenssen, N. Craig Smith

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1144-7

Publisher : Springer Dordrecht

eBook Packages : Business and Management , Business and Management (R0)

Copyright Information : Springer Nature B.V. 2019

Hardcover ISBN : 978-94-024-1142-3 Published: 15 March 2018

Softcover ISBN : 978-94-024-1634-3 Published: 01 February 2019

eBook ISBN : 978-94-024-1144-7 Published: 07 March 2018

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XLV, 682

Number of Illustrations : 196 b/w illustrations

Topics : Business Ethics , Administration, Organization and Leadership , Business Strategy/Leadership , Emerging Markets/Globalization

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Top 10 Sustainability Case Studies & Success Stories

During my academic research on corporate sustainability efforts, I realize that environmental and social practices have a significant impact on the long-term success of businesses. Some businesses outperform others in this area, giving them a competitive advantage.

See 10 sustainability case studies to incorporate sustainability strategies into corporate actions: 

1. UPS ORION: Improve transportation efficiency

Transportation activities accounted for almost 30% of US greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). 1 For a company like UPS, which distributes goods across regions, transportation activities make up the bulk of GHG emissions. As a result, enhancing transportation efficiency is crucial for organizations like UPS to remain sustainable.

As a solution, UPS adopted an AI system called ORION which is a route optimizer that aims to minimize the number of turns during the delivery. 2 Initiation began in 2012, and ORION saves UPS 10 million gallons of fuel per year, which means that in addition to the financial benefits, it decreases UPS’s carbon footprint by 100,000 metric tons per year, or the equivalent of removing more than 20,000 cars from the roads.(An average car emits 4.6 metric tons of GHG per year. 3 )

In addition to private solutions like ORION, there are public cloud route optimizer systems that businesses can deploy without building hardware. These tools help firms to use their software as a service by paying a subscription cost.

To learn more about ensuring supply chain sustainability with technology you can read Technologies Improving Supply Chain Sustainability .

Figure 2: US GHG emission distribution

Source: U.S Environmental Protection Agency 4

2. IKEA IWAY: Make business with ESG-oriented corporations

Supplier codes of conduct are established guidelines that require other businesses to demonstrate their operations’ social and environmental impacts. The objective is to reward companies that meet strong ESG standards. It is also one of the positive governance indications for organizations, as we highlighted in the ESG metrics article .

IWAY is the supplier code of conduct of IKEA forcing suppliers to meet certain environmental and humanitarian qualities to work with. 5 The initiative has been in place for over 20 years, and over that time, IKEA has refined it based on their prior experiences. IWAY six is the most recent version of IKEA’s supplier code of conduct, which evaluates:

• Core worker rights.
• Safety of the working place.
• Life-work balance of employees.
• Water and waste management of potential suppliers.
• Prevention of child labor. 

3. General Electric digital wind farm: Produce green energy efficiently

Wind turbine productivity varies greatly depending on the design, weather conditions, and geography of the location it is deployed. Using IoT and digital twins to collect data on each wind turbine and simulate possible modifications, such as adjusting the direction of the wind turbine, can assist corporations in locating their wind turbines in a wind farm more effectively.

Furthermore, the performance of wind turbines declines with time and may require maintenance; employing sensors and digital twins can assist in determining the appropriate time for repair.

Figure 3: How digital twins can optimize wind turbine productivity

Source: DNV 6

General Electric’s (GE) digital wind farms are based on these two elements. GE optimized turbines using sensors and digital twin real-time monitoring technologies. Each wind farm can create up to 10% more green energy as a result of the digital wind farm initiative, which helps to enhance our worldwide green energy mix. 7

4. Swire Properties green building: Minimize GHG emissions

Swire Properties is a construction company that operates in China and especially in the Hong Kong area. In 2018, the company built One Taikoo Place which is a green building that aims to reduce GHG emissions of Swire Properties in order to align with sustainability goals of the company’s stakeholders.

Swire properties use 3D modeling techniques to optimize the building’s energy efficiency. Reduce electricity consumption by using smart lighting systems with sunshine and motion sensors. 8 A biodiesel generation system has been installed in the building, which converts waste food oil into biodiesel. Swire Properties additionally uses low-carbon embedded materials and a lot of recycled materials in their construction. 9

Swire Properties was able to cut GHG emissions intensity throughout their portfolio by nearly 20% because of the usage of digital technologies and low carbon integrated materials. 10

5. H&M let’s close the gap: Deposit scheme for gathering raw material

In 2023, we consumed 1.8 times more resources than Earth generates annually because our economic outlook is based on production, use and disposal. 11 Such an economy is not sustainable and that is the reason why the concept of circular economy (CE) is trending nowadays.

The most basic principle of CE is to use trash as a raw material for production through innovation, recycling, or repairing and reusing existing products.

H&M’s “Let’s Close the Gap” project began in 2013 as a CE best practice that collects and categorizes discarded clothing from customers. 12 If the garment is in decent condition, they will restore it and find a new owner for it. If a garment reaches the end of its useful life, H&M will recycle it and reuse the material in new goods.

Customers who bring in their old clothes are rewarded with tokens that can be used to get a discount at H&M shops. Incentivizing customers creates a complete CE loop. In 2019, 57% of H&M’s raw materials were sustainable. By 2030, the company plans to improve it by 100 percent. 13

6. Gusto: Hiring female engineers to close gender inequality gap

Gender inequality remains a major social issue despite all the improvements. 14 There are two common types of gender disparity in the workplace. The first is gender pay disparity, which occurs when companies pay male employees more and provide better working conditions than female employees in the same position.

The second is occupational segregation, in which women are hired for non-technical jobs while men hold the majority of leadership roles. This was the situation at the software firm Gusto, where female engineers made up slightly more than 5% of the engineering team at the beginning of 2015. 15

Julia Lee, one of Gusto’s first female engineers, claimed that other engineers did not accept her ideas because she was a “female engineer.” Gusto initiated an HR drive to reduce gender inequality by prioritizing the recruitment of female engineers, prohibiting female workers from scrolling, and deleting masculine job ads like “ninja rock star coder.”

Gusto was able to improve its female engineer ratio to roughly 20% by the end of 2015 thanks to the campaign. 16 The average ratio among software businesses’ engineering teams was 12% in 2013. Therefore, this was a significant improvement in a short period of time.  

7. HSBC: ESG concerned green finance

Finance companies can help speed up the transition to sustainable business practices by supporting initiatives run by responsible businesses. HSBC has committed to investing $100 billion in sustainability projects by the end of 2025. 17 In 2021, HSBC’s ESG practices were rewarded with an AA rating by MSCI. 18

HSBC is also working toward a goal of using 100% renewable energy as their source of electricity by 2030. The company reduces its consumption of paper and single-use plastic packaging for coffee and beverages. 19

For more information about best ESG practices, you can read ESG Reporting Best Practices .

8. Signify light-as-a-service: Enhance production stewardship

The product-service system (PSS) is a business model in which producers acquire a product over its lifetime and rent or lease it to the users. PSS ensures product stewardship since the product always becomes the asset of the company. It encourages producers to provide high-quality, repairable items in order to extend the product’s useful life. As a result, it helps to close the circularity gap by ensuring better use of natural resources.

Signify, a luminaire producer, adopts such a business strategy where it demands a subscription fee according to the usage period of their lighting systems. Signify claims that PSS allows them to produce 0 luminaire waste and drops maintenance costs. 20

9. Airbus additive manufacturing: Manufacture lighter planes with 3D printing

Additive manufacturing is a process where a computer-aided design (CAD) file is converted into a stereolithography (STL) file, which is then sliced into layers to guide the 3D printing of an object. 21 AIMultiple expects that additive manufacturing will disrupt airplane manufacturing since:

• It speeds up the manufacturing of parts compared to traditional molding techniques.
• It is cheaper due to effective use of raw materials and time reduction of production.
• It enables the manufacturing of lighter parts by up to 45%, resulting in lighter planes that burn less fuel. 22 According to Airbus, additive manufacturing technology can reduce an A320 plane’s annual GHG emissions by around 465,000 metric tons, which is roughly the same as eliminating 100,000 automobiles from the road for a year.

To effectively use 3D printers, Airbus partnered with Materialise, a Belgium-based technology company that specialize in additive manufacturing. 23

For more information regarding improving corporate sustainability by digital transformation you can read Digital Technologies that Improve Corporate Sustainability .

10. Tata Power: Solar plants on the roofs

Rooftops offer a lot of empty space that can be used to install solar panels. Such initiatives have been taken in various parts of the world. Tata Power does it in India and generates green electricity by using idle places of buildings.

In 2021, Tata Power was able to spread their program throughout 90 Indian cities, producing 421 million watts of electricity, which is equivalent to nearly 40 thousand homes’ yearly electricity use in the US. 24 The average annual power usage for a residential utility customer in the US was 10,791 kWh in 2022. 25

We expect that in the near future, the cooperation between energy and construction companies will enhance the use of idle places in buildings in a more effective way. Such an industrial symbiosis reduces both sectors’ ESG risk.

For more information on the top carbon footprint calculators, check Carbon Footprint Calculator Software/Tools for Businesses .

To learn more about corporate sustainability you can contact with us:

External Links

• 1. Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions . United States Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 2. UPS To Enhance ORION With Continuous Delivery Route Optimization . UPS. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle . United States Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 4. Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions . U.S Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 5. Creating a sustainable IKEA value chain with IWAY . IKEA. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 6. WindGEMINI Digital twin for wind turbine operations . DNV. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 7. Digital Wind Operations Optimization from GE Renewable Energy . General Electrics. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 8. Unlocking a sustainable future: Why digital solutions are the key to sustainable business transformation . Schneider Electric. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 9. One Taikoo Place . HKGBC. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 10. Unlocking a sustainable future: Why digital solutions are the key to sustainable business transformation . Schneider Electric. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 11. Earth Overshoot Day . Geneva Environment Network. Accessed: 3/September/2024.
• 12. The only trends worth following? Recycling and repairing . H&M. Accessed: 3/September/2024.
• 13. Faithful, M. H&M And IKEA Want Your Old Stuff Back, Here’s Why . Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 14. Kelan, E. Why Aren’t We Making More Progress Towards Gender Equity? Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 15. Adams, S. The Tech Unicorn That Went For Women Engineers: Here’s How It Worked Out . Forbes. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 16. Adams, S. The Tech Unicorn That Went For Women Engineers: Here’s How It Worked Out . Forbes. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 17. HSBC sets out net zero ambition . HSBC. Accessed: 2/September/2024.
• 18. Investing for a sustainable future . HSBC. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 19. HSBC sets out net zero ambition . HSBC. Accessed: 2/September/2024.
• 20. Green Switch Program . Signify. Accessed: 2/September/2024.
• 21. Wong, K. V., & Hernandez, A. (2012). A review of additive manufacturing. International scholarly research notices , 2012 (1), 208760.
• 22. Pioneering bionic 3D printing . Airbus. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 23. Bridging the gap with 3D printing . Airbus. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 24. Unlocking a sustainable future: Why digital solutions are the key to sustainable business transformation . Schneider Electric. Accessed: 4/September/2024.
• 25. How much electricity does an American home use? U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed: 4/September/2024.

Next to Read

Top 6 supply chain sustainability technology, 7 ways to improve your supply chain sustainability, digital transformation and sustainability : top 5 digital solutions.

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A wonderful collection of case studies on corporate sustainability. I enjoyed the read. I am convicted to delve into promoting sustainability in Africa.

Hello, James! Thank you for your feedback. Awesome! That’s a great cause to pursue.

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Why You Need Sustainability in Your Business Strategy

• 06 Nov 2019

In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into your business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success.

Before getting into why sustainability is essential to successful business strategies, it's important to define what sustainability in business is.

Access your free e-book today.

What Is Sustainability in Business?

In short, sustainability in business refers to the effect companies have on the environment or society.

A sustainable business strategy aims to positively impact one or both of those areas, thereby helping address some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Some of the global issues that sustainable business strategies help to address include:

• Climate change
• Income inequality
• Depletion of natural resources
• Human rights issues
• Fair working conditions
• Racial injustice
• Gender inequality

Although it may sound like it, sustainability in business is not purely altruistic. As Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson notes in the online course Sustainable Business Strategy , you can't use business to do good in the world if you're not doing well financially. Doing well and doing good are intertwined, and successful business strategies include both.

Many of today’s firms have adopted the triple bottom line , which suggests that organizations should focus on more than just profits, or the “bottom-line,” and also measure their environmental and social impact. These focuses can be referred to as “the three Ps,”: people, planet, and profit. Quite often, this sustainable approach to business ultimately boosts business performance.

Why Is Sustainability Important?

In addition to driving social and environmental change, sustainability initiatives can contribute to an organization's overall success. It may seem counterintuitive that spending more money on sustainable business practices can boost a company’s profitability, but studies show that the most sustainable companies are also the most profitable.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics are often used to determine how ethical and sustainable an organization is. According to McKinsey , companies with high ESG ratings consistently outperform the market in both the medium and long term. While sustainability strategies might be an investment in the short term, they can lead to long-term benefits.

Benefits of Sustainability in Business

1. you’ll protect your brand and mitigate risks.

Ending up on the front page because of a scandal is a CEO’s worst nightmare. Not only do improper practices damage an organization’s reputation and cost it customers, but dealing with a public relations disaster can divert valuable human and financial resources from the core business.

You don’t want to become the company that allowed an oil spill or forced employees to work in unsafe conditions. By instituting a sustainable strategy that protects the environment and your workers, you also protect yourself from any damaging incidents.

2. Being Purpose-Driven Is a Competitive Advantage

Sustainability doesn't detract from business goals, and infusing your company with purpose can help attract a motivated, skilled workforce that drives financial success . In a Facebook Live discussion , Henderson noted a recent study showing that 89 percent of executives believe an organization with shared purpose will have greater employee satisfaction. Additionally, 85 percent say they're more likely to recommend a company with strong purpose to others.

Making your company an organization that does good in the world—rather than just a place that provides a paycheck—can be a competitive advantage when attracting the best talent.

Related : HBS Professor Explores the Impact Purpose Can Have on Your Organization

3. There's a Growing Market for Sustainable Goods

A 2019 study found that 73 percent of global consumers are willing to change their consumption habits to lessen their negative impact on the environment, and sustainable product sales have grown by nearly 20 percent since 2014. Millennials in particular are more willing to pay more for products that contain sustainable ingredients or products that have social responsibility claims. If your organization commits to sustainable products and practices, it could gain market share by converting sustainability-minded customers and increasing sales.

4. Cooperative Action Can Drive Change

As an individual, it can feel overwhelming, isolating, or simply impossible to effect change in a meaningful way. That’s not the case when the most innovative, successful, and powerful companies are collaborating to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. While governments struggle to address public goods problems, purpose-driven companies working together to address these issues have experienced great success.

For example, palm oil is cheap, versatile, and found in about half of all packaged products, including soap, lipstick, and ice cream. But palm oil production has resulted in record greenhouse gas emissions and contributed to climate change.

In light of this, consumer goods producer Unilever committed to only using palm oil from certified sustainable sources in 2008. The organization cooperated with its competitors—as well as governments, NGOs, and indigenous peoples’ organizations—to lead an industry-wide adoption of sustainable palm oil. As a result, Unilever continues to be a thriving organization, and the world has reaped the environmental benefits of sustainable palm oil harvesting practices.

The Value of Sustainability

Sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing profits or putting success on the backburner. Instead, it has become a crucial element to any organization’s successful strategy. A business that doesn't factor in sustainability risks is less successful in several measures, including profitability, growth, and employee retention.

By integrating sustainability into your business strategy , you can find success because, rather than in spite, of sustainability.

Do you want to take a more values-driven approach to business? Explore our three-week online course Sustainable Business Strategy and learn how organizations can succeed financially while also playing a role in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.

This post was upated on March 22, 2021. It was originally published on November 6, 2019.

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- Organizations & Leadership

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• Participants

Course Highlights

• Learn through interactive lectures, case studies, games, diagnostic exercises, and deep reflective work
• Explore how current business practices apply in a socioeconomic context
• Walk away with well-grounded strategies for making sustainability a reality in your organization, industry, and community
• Earn a certificate of course completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management

Please note: The application deadline for this course is 4 days prior to course start.

Course snapshot

Why attend Strategies for Sustainable Business ?

For decades, MIT and MIT Sloan have been business sustainability thought leaders, from Jay Forrester’s work on World Dynamics, to our groundbreaking research on high performance work systems, to the formation of the  Sustainability Initiative  at MIT Sloan—an effort that is shaping modern discourse on sustainability.

Strategies for Sustainable Business  connects executives with MIT professors and researchers who are currently breaking new ground in sustainability thinking and practice. Faculty combine interactive lectures, case studies, games, diagnostic exercises, and deep reflective work for a highly engaging experience. Participants place current business practices in a socioeconomic context and walk away with well-grounded strategies for making sustainability a reality in their organizations, industries, and communities.

Course Curriculum

• WHY : This first day focuses on why sustainability is THE challenge of our generation and its materiality to participants’ particular business. Case studies reveal how industries are changing to adapt to the business risks, and opportunities, presented by megatrends like climate change and globalization.
• WHAT : Through lectures, discussions, and a hands-on system dynamics simulation (“EnRoads”), participants will learn about available business sustainability strategies at the operational level, in their extended supply chain, and across their industry. They deepen their understanding of the environmental and social dimension of sustainability and the limits of voluntary action.
• HOW : Participants chart a course toward the “hardwiring” of sustainability in their enterprise by building coalitions for change and undertaking process improvement. Lectures and discussions draw on the latest research by program faculty and include lessons on how to influence organizational culture, run experiments, conduct difficult conversations, and engage people to undertake important projects. Participants will leave the classroom knowing their next steps to move the ball forward.  

Course experience

This innovative business sustainability course applies a unique MIT Sloan framework to the topic of environmental and socioeconomic sustainability and uses an engaging mix of interactive lectures, simulation games, and action learning.

Participants leave with practical and impactful sustainability strategies for building consensus and making change and are empowered to take action on sustainability from the personal through enterprise level.

Learn more about the in-person course experience .     

Learn more about the live online experience.

We do not recommend this course if you have already completed Business Sustainability Strategy , unless you are seeking a refresher of the content.

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Sample Schedule—Subject to Change

This program is designed for people who have to make a sustainability strategy happen, including

• Functional and business unit leaders from companies committed to sustainability goals, who have been charged with advancing sustainability and creating value in their area
• Investment professionals who are charged with aligning socially responsible investments with value and/or who seek to deepen their understanding of sustainability in a socioeconomic context
• New sustainability professionals who need to get up to speed on strategies that promote sustainable business practices
• Environmental consultants and professionals who need to better understand how to link their practice to the world of business and to prove the value of sustainability in the marketplace
• NGO and government leaders who want to understand a business-centered but cross-sectoral perspective on sustainability

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Practical strategies, tools, and frameworks presented here will enable you to advance your personal and/or professional sustainability goals.

—Claudiu C.

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This digital tool helps business leaders visualize climate actions, why impact investors are embracing systems change, how to develop a carbon management strategy for business, a manager’s guide to leading purpose-driven organizations, john sterman:engaging enterprises with the climate crisis, engaging enterprises with the climate crisis, 3 sustainability insights for industry and government leaders, radical breakthroughs for climate change first we must deploy existing technologies, download: mit sloan research on sustainable business, experts flag 3 concerns with proposed sec climate disclosure rule, how to source, support, and scale grassroots climate solutions, why sustainable business needs better esg ratings, 4 strategies for sustainable business, climate change will disrupt supply chains much more than covid, owning impact: creating a positive legacy for enterprising families and society, 3 hurdles to sustainable investing — and how to overcome them, a business lens for sustainability, can bitcoin ever really be green, what if the perfect climate fix can’t arrive in time, john sterman and jason jay on strategies for sustainable business, how you can curb climate change, this mit climate solutions simulator lets you design the perfect plan to end the climate crisis, covid and climate change: lessons and opportunities, course offerings.

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Home > Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies > Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies > 16060

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Data analytics strategies for growth and sustainability.

Sara Ella Lopez , Walden University Follow

Date of Conferral

Date of award.

September 2024

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

Rocky Dwyer

Implementing data analytics impacts organizations financially and operationally. Business leaders can improve operational capacity and increase profitability and sustainability when data analytics are embedded and used throughout an organization. Grounded in the Baldrige excellence framework, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies senior leaders used to successfully implement data analytics to improve performance management and long-term sustainability. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of organizational documents, including a review and assessment of the company website. The themes that emerged from the thematic data analysis were (a) process strengths, (b) process opportunities, (c) results strengths, and (d) results opportunities. A key recommendation is for leaders to integrate multi-tiered strategic planning to ensure alignment with overall company objectives. The implications for positive social change include the potential for creating new job opportunities and promoting a collaborative working environment for employees. When businesses thrive, their employees may gain improved work compensation.

Recommended Citation

Lopez, Sara Ella, "Data Analytics Strategies for Growth and Sustainability" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies . 16060. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16060

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• Open access
• Published: 21 October 2024

Assessment of nature-based solutions for water resource management in agricultural environments: a stakeholders’ perspective in Southern Italy

• Addolorata Maria Netti 1 ,
• Ossama M.M. Abdelwahab 1 ,
• Giulia Datola 2 ,
• Giovanni Francesco Ricci 1 ,
• Paolo Damiani 1 ,
• Alessandra Oppio 2 &
• Francesco Gentile 1  

Scientific Reports volume  14 , Article number:  24668 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

• Environmental impact
• Environmental sciences

This paper explores the potential implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) in agriculture, specifically focusing on soil and water management in Southern Italy, particularly in the Apulia and Basilicata regions. Through a tailored questionnaire, it investigates farmers’ perceptions of the utility of NBSs, addressing key issues in the region and evaluating their role in addressing soil and water management challenges. Findings reveal primary challenges such as drought, floods, and water pollution, with soil erosion being a major concern. Several NBSs, including wetlands and bioswales, demonstrate consistent utility and performance, while disparities exist for agroforestry and strip cropping. The study underscores a significant gap in the economic valuation of NBSs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments that incorporate livability improvements, water quality enhancement, and socio-cultural benefits. Additionally, an analysis of NBS implementation across Italian agriculture reveals limited case studies, suggesting the need for strategic expansions to meet Sustainable Development Goals. This research offers critical insights into the effectiveness and challenges of NBSs in agricultural soil and water management, advocating for enhanced stakeholder engagement and the development of multidimensional evaluation frameworks to support sustainable practices.

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Survey data on factors that constrain the adoption of soil carbon enhancing technologies in Ethiopia

Introduction.

Hydro-meteorological risks, including floods, droughts, and landslides are exacerbated by climate change and urbanization worldwide 1 . Among the different policies and actions proposed at the international, European and national level, Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) are currently addressed as suitable strategies for mitigating these hazards, as well as supporting the transition to sustainable and resilient development for cities and territories 1 , addressing also many challenges in the agriculture sector.

Specifically related to the main impacts that hydro-meteorological phenomena have on agriculture, NBSs can be considered suitable strategies, especially for mitigating the soil erosion phenomenon and providing suitable water management, among other challenges 2 , 3 , 4 . It is because NBSs offer a sustainable approach to tackling climate-related issues, conserving nature, and fortifying ecosystems, strategically harnessing and managing nature to benefit biodiversity, climate resilience, and human communities 5 .

Concerning agricultural lands, soil erosion can undermine soil fertility, leading to yield decline 6 , 7 , 8 . Thus, NBSs can be adopted as a mitigation measure because soil erosion prevention cannot be achieved solely through civil engineering actions, due to the costs and environmental impacts, which would be excessively high 9 , 10 , 11 . Moreover, Mediterranean experts in climate and environmental change recommend the implementation of NBSs and adaptive sustainable land management practices because climate change is expected to increase soil erosion in a complex and non-linear manner 12 .

On the other hand, sustainable water resources management is critical for addressing erosion challenges and controlling nutrient transport. In this context, NBSs play a pivotal role in optimizing the utilization of water resources, fostering soil quality preservation, and ensuring a reliable water supply for crops 13 . These innovative approaches not only tackle erosion and nutrient transport but also provide solutions for water conservation, which is essential for sustaining agricultural activities in such climates 14 . As well, NBSs play a fundamental role in supporting the implementation of directives like the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other policies concerning water resources. NBSs could thus offer particularly cost-effective alternatives for addressing diffuse water pollution and the reuse of wastewater in agriculture 5 , 15 , 16 , 17 . Moreover, they yield numerous benefits, including climate mitigation and adaptation and enhancement of water management practices 18 , bolstering coastal resilience, fostering urban biodiversity conservation, enhancing air quality, facilitating urban regeneration, promoting stakeholder engagement, fostering social cohesion, providing recreational opportunities 19 , and improving public health and well-being through direct ecosystem restoration 20 . Furthermore, the application of NBSs has been proven to generate significant economic outcomes.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of stakeholder engagement for the successful implementation of environmental and agricultural interventions 2 , 18 , 21 , 22 , which include NBSs. Stakeholder engagement refers to the involvement of individuals, groups, or organizations that may be affected by or have an interest in a particular project or decision. Engaging stakeholders is thus fundamental for engaging different perspectives, fostering collaboration, and enhancing the legitimacy and sustainability of the interventions 23 , 24 , 25 . Therefore, the engagement of stakeholder could help to fill the gap between scientific research and practical application by incorporating local knowledge and preferences into planning and implementation processes 26 . Moreover, many works in the social sciences have demonstrated that participatory approaches can lead to more effective and equitable outcomes in environmental management 27 .

Stakeholder consultation and involvement are thus necessary also to support the decision-making concerning the development and implementation of NBSs in the agricultural sectors. Engaging farmers and local communities ensure that different perspectives are considered, fostering collaboration and enhancing the legitimacy of interventions, ensuring that NBSs interventions are tailored to meet the specific needs of the community.

In this context, this research addresses the adoption and application of NBSs in the agricultural sector of Southern Italy, focusing on the regions of Apulia and Basilicata. This choice has been made according to the fact that the perspective of implementing NBSs as a mitigation tool is increasingly recognised as crucial for mitigating soil erosion and water management within agricultural landscapes in semi-arid regions like Southern Italy 12 .

This study aims to address some critical research questions concerning the environmental challenges faced by farmers, as well as their perceptions of NBSs utility, practical considerations for implementation, and how enhancing stakeholder engagement in the Apulia and Basilicata regions of Southern Italy.

In detail, this study addresses the less studied topics the literature, or rather the perceived utility and feasibility of implementing these NBSs among stakeholders. Therefore, this research is mainly based on the following research questions (I) ‘What are the primary environmental challenges encountered by farmers in Southern Italy regarding soil and water management?’, (II) ‘How do farmers perceive the utility and benefits of various NBSs in addressing these challenges?’, (III) ‘What are the practical and feasibility considerations for implementing NBSs in this context?’, and (IV) ‘How can stakeholder engagement be enhanced to support the successful implementation of NBSs?’. To properly answer to the research questions, a tailored questionnaire was distributed – as a Google Form document – to local farmers through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. The questionnaire covered 11 NBSs measures to gather insights into farmers’ perceptions including the benefits, synergies, and trade-offs associated with the adoption and application of these measures. The active involvement of farmers through a questionnaire plays a fundamental role in collecting meaningful data, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced and the most convenient solutions 28 , 29 .

The main novelty of this research stands in addressing the main lacks the available studies, which have primarily examined the benefits of NBSs in urban areas and rarely in agriculture, typically at broader European and global scales, without involving local stakeholders. This research is driven by the urgent need to tackle soil erosion, water management, and other environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change, and to evaluate the potential of NBSs as sustainable remedies in the agricultural sector of Southern Italy, particularly Apulia and Basilicata. The primary goal is to assess the adoption and application of NBSs in the agricultural sector of Southern Italy.

The present study is aligned with ambitious goals to preserve natural capital and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Specifically, it addresses Task 3.2.5 of the National Center for Technology in Agriculture (AGRITECH) project, which aims to achieve the tailored and integrated application of NBSs to enhance water availability and quality and to promote sustainable land use. These challenges are vital for sustaining agricultural activities and achieving long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

Furthermore, this study also investigates the integration of NBSs into agricultural systems to address both economic and environmental challenges, which is aligned with global and national policies, including the European Green Deal, the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Nature-based solutions

In the existing literature, there is significant interchangeability of terms and concepts relating to NBSs. However, two main definitions are more widely recognized at international level, originating from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the European Commission (EC). The EC characterizes NBSs as solutions designed to help societies address environmental, social, and economic challenges sustainably. These solutions leverage, enhance, or replicate nature-inspired actions, utilizing the features and processes of nature to achieve outcomes like reduced disaster risk and an environment conducive to human well-being and socially inclusive green growth 30 . The IUCN defines NBSs as actions that protect, sustainably manage and restore natural and modified ecosystems, effectively addressing societal challenges while simultaneously providing benefits to human well-being and biodiversity 31 . Both definitions consider nature as a valuable resource and encourage its synergic integration for development strategies. According to the abovementioned definitions, NBSs can be described as a holistic approach that aims to combine environmental protection with human well-being, promoting a sustainable and integrated vision. The concept of NBSs can be categorized across various sectors and thematic areas, including water management, forests and silviculture, agriculture, urban areas, and coastal regions 32 . The term NBSs is frequently employed as a comprehensive label encompassing various concepts such as Low-Impact Developments (LIDs), Best Management Practices (BMPs), Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), Green Infrastructure (GI), Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI), Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), and Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) 33 , 34 . In the literature, references to NBSs are found primarily in discussions concerning urban landscapes 30 and the conservation and rehabilitation of water and forest ecosystems 2 , 35 , 36 . Particularly in the urban field, substantial progress has been achieved in the development of planning and impact evaluation frameworks for NBSs 37 , 38 .

Concerning our case study, the Apulia and Basilicata regions, NBSs offer promising pathways for sustainable agricultural practices in the Mediterranean region, which faces unique challenges due to its specific climate, soil conditions, and socio-economic context. Different NBSs are already practiced to counteract soil erosion and degradation, involving minimum tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation 39 , 40 , 41 . In response to water scarcity, strategies such as rainwater harvesting, drought-resistant crop varieties, and the restoration of traditional water systems like canals and terracing are employed 42 , 43 . Agroforestry, which integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, enhances biodiversity, provides shade, and improves microclimates 44 , 45 .

Recent studies with some of them specific to the case study area have shown the benefits of traditional practices in improving ecosystem services and agricultural productivity. For instance, a study by Troccoli et al. 46 examined fifteen years of durum wheat monoculture in Apulia region of southern Italy, revealing significant seasonal variability in yields between no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Despite this, the overall grain yield of NT (2.61 t/ha) was only 1.5% lower than CT (2.65 t/ha), a difference that was not statistically significant. In specific years, 2007 and 2008, CT outperformed NT by 3.5% and 3.2%, respectively. However, over the 15-year period, NT had a positive average yield balance of about 5% and a cumulative net income advantage of 71 €/ha compared to CT. Similarly, Alhaj Ali et al. 47 reported that the terraced Agroforestry System (TAS) is significant in hilly and mountainous marginal areas in Apulia, integrating fruit trees with vegetables or cereals to conserve biodiversity and soil and water. Olveira et al. 48 found that rotating wheat with legumes like chickpeas under Mediterranean conditions of Apulia reduces environmental impacts, notably global warming (18%) and freshwater ecotoxicity (20%), and increases gross margin by 96%. Dal ferro and Borin 49 indicated that Italy is the second-largest EU country in organic agriculture area. Italy’s organic farming occupies 781,489 hectares, representing 6.1% of its Utilized Agricultural Area (UAA). Calabria and Basilicata have the highest organic farming percentages (up to 18%). Paris et al. 50 indicated that agroforestry practices have enhanced biodiversity and provided additional income sources for farmers. Another study by Tarolli et al. 51 showed that terraces are prominent human-made features on landscapes worldwide, designed to retain water and soil, reduce erosion, and facilitate cultivation on steep slopes. They improve water infiltration, control overland flow, and support agricultural activities, particularly in Mediterranean basins, where they are crucial cultural heritage.

Based on this situation, the implementation of NBSs is crucial for achieving the intended benefits in agricultural systems, which include improving soil health, enhancing water management, increasing biodiversity, and providing economic benefits to farmers 11 , 52 . Effective NBSs must align with environmental goals 53 , be economically viable 54 , achieve social acceptance 26 , and enhance resilience to climate change 2 . Meeting these criteria ensures NBSs effectively address environmental challenges and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in the region. The successful implementation of NBSs also requires supportive policies and active engagement by stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and local communities 55 . Involving farmers, ranchers, and food producers is essential since their traditional knowledge, combined with modern training, makes them vital in developing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing global soil and water challenges. Economic and social benefits are significant, with practices such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry reducing input costs and improving crop yields, thereby providing financial incentives for farmers while enhancing food security and community resilience 56 , 57 . Collectively, these NBS measures could transform productive landscapes from environmental impact drivers to environmental solution providers, increasing agricultural production and resilience, mitigating soil and water issues, and enhancing biodiversity 58 .

Materials and methods

This section illustrates the proposed methodological framework for collecting stakeholders’ perspectives regarding the implementation of NBSs in the agricultural system, focusing on the case study area analyzed and the observed outcomes. As mentioned in Sect. 2.1, considering the obstacles and challenges hindering the agricultural sector and farmers in the study area, an exercise to select the relevant NBSs was carried out by the researchers, previous to the consultation phase and a total of eleven NBSs deemed useful in the agricultural context of the area studied were considered. Subsequently, a questionnaire was developed for farms, focusing on various business aspects and farmers’ perceptions regarding the NBSs selected. Finally, a comparison was made between the average utility of the NBSs considered, as derived from the questionnaire responses, and their average performance in terms of the multidimensional impacts considered by the Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) platform. The NWRM is a European initiative focused on identifying, promoting, and implementing sustainable water management practices that use natural processes to enhance water retention in landscapes. These measures aim to manage water resources in a way that reduces flood risk, improves water quality, enhances biodiversity, and contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation ( http://nwrm.eu ).

This platform proposes a list of 53 NBSs, which are classified under the following four sectors, namely (1) Agriculture, (2) Forest, (3) Hydro morphology, and (4) Urban. Moreover, this project focuses on implementing NBSs that are multifunctional strategies aimed at managing and retaining water within landscapes, protecting water resources and addressing water-related challenges by restoring or maintaining ecosystems and natural characteristics of water bodies.

Eventually, the authors hereby confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The authors confirm also that all experimental protocols were approved by a named institutional and/or licensing committee. Additionally, authors confirm that informed consent was obtained from all subjects and/or their legal guardian(s).

According to the decree of Academic Senate and the Board of Directors regarding the Regulations of the Research Ethics Committee in Bari university Art.2 Point 3, comma B, the Ethic Committee of the University of Bari is ought to express the approval to the carried out research just in the case of collected personal identification data that would be diffused or published. In our current research this is not the case, since we did not collect or publish any sensitive, identification or personal information regarding any of the stakeholders involved in the questionnaire process based on which the study is carried out.

The Apulia region (Fig.  1 ) is located in the South-Eastern part of Italy, extending over 19,350 km 2 with a perimeter of 1,260 km and an overall coastal development of 784 km. This region has mostly gentle terrain, with only 1.4% of its land being above 700 m in elevation (Fig.  1 ). The western part of the Apulia region is bordered by the Daunia Mountains and the Gargano promontory, with peaks including Mount Cornacchia. The central area features the Murge plateau, while the Salento peninsula has highlands of tectonic origin, called ‘Serre’, aligned from North-West to South-East. Despite its low relief, Apulia lacks significant rivers due to low rainfall and karstic terrain. The main river is the Ofanto, while other watercourses include the Candelaro and Sàlsola. Surface hydrography is minimal, with erosion features called ‘lame’ on limestone areas. Underground water circulation is vital, with groundwater levels varying across the region. In Salento, freshwater sits above saltwater, forming a distinctive lenticular aquifer shape.

Apulia has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, low-rainfall winters and hot, dry summers. Protected from western winds by the Apennines, it is exposed to atmospheric currents from the Adriatic and the south. This results in lower rainfall compared to regions on the Tyrrhenian side of Italy and also causes frequent abrupt changes in weather patterns. Summer is marked by drought due to tropical air masses. Winters and autumns experience frequent rainfall, brought by southerly winds, alternating with clear, cold periods from northerly winds. Rainy days are few, with snow limited to high elevations. Annually the region receives on average just over 600 mm of rainfall. The greatest rainfall is observed on the Gargano, which has a total of 1,100-1,200 mm per year, while the smallest rainfall is observed on the Tavoliere, with total annual values below 450 mm. Annual rainfall peaks in November or December. The summer season in the region is typically dry, with rainfall generally below 30 mm except in certain areas like Gargano and the Sub-Apennine zone, where it exceeds 50 mm. Some summers experience no rain at all. However, brief but intense summer showers occasionally occur, with rainfall reaching 30–50 mm within minutes. Temperature averages range from 15 °C to 17 °C annually, with January being the coldest month and July/August the hottest. Frost days are limited, and ‘tropical’ days are more common along the coastlines 59 .

The region’s terrain is predominantly flat with some hills, almost devoid of mountains, comprising 7.5% forest land and 83.2% agricultural land, which represents 10% of Italy’s utilized agricultural area (UAA). The UAA includes 51% arable crops, 8% permanent grassland, and 41% permanent crops such as vines and olives (Fig.  1 ). The most important agricultural land for production of cereals and vegetables is situated in the central northern zone (Tavoliere della Puglia), while olive trees and vineyards dominate central and southern parts of the region. Apulia has a large number of family-run farms, 94% of which are specialized, primarily in olive production (54%), with other significant sectors being vines, fruit, and vegetable farming. The average farm size is 4.7 hectares, and land fragmentation and generational renewal pose major challenges. Enhancing agricultural competitiveness through increased farm efficiency, either by enlarging farm sizes or through aggregation, is critical. Environmental issues in Apulia include drought, biodiversity loss, soil erosion, excessive agricultural water use, and a significant reduction in local species (EU Factsheet on the 2014–2022 Rural Development Programme for Puglia).

The Basilicata region (Fig.  1 a) covers approximately 8,830 km 2 and features a diverse landscape characterized by the Lucanian Apennine mountain range and a vast hydrographic network encompassing rivers such as the Bradano, Sinni, Noce, Basento, Cavone, and Agri, which ultimately flow into the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. This region is part of the Southern Apennine Arc, and it exhibits various tectonic units reflecting its geological history, contributing to abundant water resources crucial for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes 60 .

Climatically, Basilicata experiences significant variations due to its complex and varied topography, influenced by both temperate-cold and Mediterranean climates. The Apennine Mountain range acts as a barrier to Atlantic disturbances, affecting precipitation patterns, with rainfall concentrated in the southwest and snowfall prevalent in the northeast (Fig.  1 ). Rainfall follows Mediterranean patterns, with distinct seasonal variations and averages ranging from 529 mm in Recoleta to approximately 2,000 mm in Lagonegro annually. Temperature fluctuations are considerable, with cold winters and hot summers typical of the Mediterranean climate. For instance, January, the coldest month, records average temperatures ranging from 2.0 °C in Pescopagano to 9.3 °C in Nova Siri Scalo, while July, the hottest month, sees temperatures reaching 27.0 °C in Recoleta and 19.0 °C in Pescopagano 61 .

Basilicata is entirely rural, with a population of 576,194 and a density of 54.7 inhabitants per km². Half of its land is agricultural, and 35% is forested, with a utilized agricultural area (UAA) of approximately 519,000 hectares, 60% of which is arable land (Fig.  1 c). The region’s farms mainly produce cereals (35%), fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and wine. Organic farming is limited, covering only 44,390 hectares (2.3% of farms). Extensive animal husbandry (particularly dairy cattle, sheep, and goats) is prevalent in mountainous areas. Environmental concerns include soil erosion, water quality, and biodiversity protection. Natura 2000 (the main instrument of the EU policy for the conservation of biodiversity) sites cover 23.7% of the region (EU Factsheet on the 2014–2022 Rural Development Programme for Basilicata). From a hydro-geological perspective, differences in permeability among geological formations influence groundwater circulation, with carbonate rocks serving as vital aquifers. However, recent trends indicate a decrease in spring flow rates, possibly due to climate change, raising concerns about water availability and resource management 60 .

( a ) Territorial framework of the study areas; ( b ) Elevation map of the study area; ( c ) Corine Land Use Cover map 2018 (QGIS version 3.22.9 https://www.qgis.org/it/site/ ).

NBS selection

During the NBS selection phase, a range of studies 1 , 11 , 37 , 54 , 62 , 63 , 64 were reviewed and integrated. It is important to highlight the fact that despite the growing interest, the use of NBSs in agricultural landscapes to address issues stemming from environmental degradation, disasters, and climate vulnerability is still only supported by limited evidence. For instance, Cohen-Shacham 26 noted that only a small number of NBS initiatives specifically focus on agriculture, as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The studies by Eggermont 65 , Simelton 11 , and Ruangpan 1 were considered as references for this phase. In particular, the work of Eggermont and colleagues 65 outlined three levels of NBS implementation, namely (I) ecosystem restoration, (II) sustainable management of existing ecosystems, and (III) the creation of new engineered ecosystems.

Building upon this approach, Simelton et al. 11 developed a technical framework to characterize NBSs in agricultural systems, considering sustainability also at production level. The framework identifies four key functions: (I) sustainable practices, (II) green infrastructure, (III) enhancement, and (IV) conservation.

The study conducted by Simelton 11 served as a basis for the analysis of NBSs and related indicators. In line with the guidelines outlined in the European Commission Report 30 and in a manner consistent with the studies mentioned earlier 37 , 54 , the research methodology employed involves the use of effectiveness indicators covering both qualitative (expressed through descriptive criteria) and quantitative (measured through objective metrics like numbers) factors, derived from various previous EU projects and platforms [(I) World Bank Catalog of NBSs 66 , (II) ThinkNature Catalog 67 , (III) UNALAB NBSs Technical Handbook Factsheets 68 , (IV) Green Infrastructure 69 , (V) Guide for Water Resource Management 70 , (VI) Guide of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction 71 , (VII) BMP Pollution Reduction Guidance Document 72 ), with particular attention being paid to the NWRM platform 70 (please see Supplementary Section B).

Subsequently, applying Ruangpan’s methodology 1 , some filters were set to select NBSs that best fit the conditions of the study area. These filters include a risk-focused perspective, distinction between new interventions and improvements to existing ones, and analysis of prevalent land surface types in the area.

This multidimensional approach made it possible to identify eleven NBSs to be included in the questionnaire: (I) agroforestry, (II) wetlands, (III) bioswales, (IV) strip cropping, (V) terraces, (VI) biobeds, (VII) vegetated buffer strips, (VIII) crop residue management, (IX) cover crops, (X) biological agriculture, and (XI) retention ponds.

The involvement of stakeholders in data collection through the questionnaire ensures a comprehensive understanding of the landscape and facilitates the implementation of effective risk reduction measures.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire submitted represents the first attempt to collect and analyze farmers’ perceptions of the utility of NBSs in the agricultural system 73 . The research was conducted through a multidisciplinary collaboration encompassing several key partnerships. Milan Polytechnic University and University of Bari contributed through academic expertise and research support, while the Apulia Region and ISTAT supplied essential data and resources. Additionally, authorized farmers’ assistance centers [Centri di Assistenza Agricola (CAA)], including organizations such as Coldiretti and Confagricoltura, facilitated community engagement and outreach efforts. This collaborative effort was characterized by online meetings, data sharing, and joint writing initiatives. The questionnaire was designed through this multidisciplinary group of researchers to ensure it was properly aligned with the aim of the research. For this purpose, several studies 1 , 74 , 75 proposing questionnaires to address stakeholders’ perceptions of NBSs or green capital were analyzed to identify commonalities in questionnaire structures and question types. Therefore, because this research focuses on farmers’ attitudes towards the adoption of NBSs within the context of farming and on various facets such as agricultural practices, soil management, water management, the use of pesticide products, and the potential adoption of organic farming practices, the questionnaire includes both closed-ended questions with multiple-choice options and open-ended questions to gather detailed responses, with a total of 71 questions.

The first section of the questionnaire introduces the AGRITECH project so as to provide participants with information about the general framework of this research and clarify the goal of the proposed questionnaire. The second section is dedicated to the collection of general information about the farm, based on its location (municipality) and total area. Section two also collects information about crops and their rotation, considering land use for crops based on the area, cultivated crops, crop rotation, the presence of cover crops, and any perceived benefits of crop rotation. The third section addresses soil management issues recognized in the geographical context of the farm, with a specific focus on floods, droughts, landslides, and water pollution in the area. It examines soil management problems such as erosion, landslides, pollution, interventions implemented for soil improvement, and soil quality monitoring. The fourth section examines issues related to water resources recognized in the geographical context of the farm, including water pollution or the presence of floods. It also explores interventions for water resource management and the monitoring and evaluation of water quality. The fifth section looks at the implementation of organic farming practices, considering the presence of organic certification and discussing the benefits and challenges of organic management. In the sixth section, the focus shifts to the use of pesticide products, covering the monitoring and management of pests and diseases, as well as the types of plant protection products used. The seventh section introduces the concept of NBSs and asks participants to evaluate different solutions according to their perceived utility, with a qualitative evaluation performed using a 5-point scale.

In the eighth section, participants are asked to evaluate the importance of various objectives for the improvement of the local area, using a 5-point scale. In the ninth section, stakeholders are asked to assess how NBSs influence water quality, the environment, livability, the economy, and society.

The survey was conducted using an electronic-based questionnaire (Google Form document) and it was distributed from October 2023 to February 2024 (please see Supplementary Section A for the complete questionnaire), after it was tested on several farmers through face-to-face interviews to determine the clarity of the proposed questionnaire, and to obtain their suggestions for further information, clarifications, and questions. This testing was useful in providing feedback and improving the clarity of some sections and questions before the final release of the questionnaire. The questionnaire for the survey was then published on several social media, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Furthermore, the questionnaire announcement specified that it was a survey intended for farmers who might be interested in implementing NBSs in the agricultural sector of Southern Italy, in order to clarify the final target and obtain consistent responses. The engaged stakeholders were selected based on their involvement in or influence over agricultural practices, environmental management, and policymaking.

After a review of the current situation in relation to the main challenges in the study areas, eleven NBSs were identified as described in Sect.  3.2 by the researchers, namely (I) agroforestry, (II) wetlands, (III) bioswales, (IV) strip cropping, (V) terraces, (VI) biobeds, (VII) vegetated buffer strips, (VIII) crop residue management, (IX) cover crops, (X) biological agriculture, and (XI) retention ponds.

As introduced previously, this research proposes a questionnaire to collect information about farmers’ awareness and the level of utility they perceive regarding the implementation of NBSs in the agricultural sector. In this section, the main results collected are illustrated and described. The results obtained are discussed according to the order of the questionnaire sections so as to be consistent with the structure of the analysis.

Figure  2 comprehensively illustrates the list of municipalities where the questionnaire has been submitted and the number of responses collected from each (please refer to Sect.  1 , Question 2 of the questionnaire, provided in Supplementary Section A). A total of 52 valid questionnaire responses have been collected for the study. This number makes it possible to describe the sample of the population under examination (namely the farms present in the Basilicata and Apulia regions). Considering the size of the population (N) of farms in the survey areas, which stands at 48.833 (ISTAT, 2010 http://dati-censimentoagricoltura.istat.it/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DICA_UTILTERRUBI ), the margin of error of 10% and a confidence level of 85%, the size of the sample ( s ) of 52 responses can be considered representative despite the size of the study areas 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 .

Municipalities considered in the survey and the number of responses for each municipality (QGIS version 3.22.9 https://www.qgis.org/it/site/ ).

Therefore, by clarifying N and s , it is possible to illustrate the results obtained by the questionnaire in its different sections. This section illustrates the primary relevant results of the questionnaire, according to its structure. It is important to note that not all questions are analyzed and discussed here (please see Supplementary Section A for the complete questionnaire).

With regard to the relevant data collected through the first section of the questionnaire, the information related to the types of crops cultivated and the challenges addressed in the area is illustrated here to provide a general overview of the existing situation in the territories analyzed.

It is very important to provide a general description of the status of agricultural production in the territory analyzed. Figure  3 illustrates the results obtained for Question 5, ‘ What crops are grown on the farm? ’, providing information about the various types of crops with the respective percentages. Results show that the main crops are cereals and legumes (25%), followed by legumes (17%), vineyards (11%), fruit (9%), horticultural crops (7%), and others (6%) (total number of answers: 52).

Percentage of crop types with reference to the sample of companies participating in the survey.

Figure 4 represents the results obtained for Question 8, ‘ What are the most commonly encountered obstacles in the area ?’, describing the existing situation related to soil issues recognized in the survey areas. As illustrated, the main challenges characterizing the areas surveyed are represented by drought (73%), followed by flood (11%), water pollution (9%), landslides (4%), and others (3%) (total number of answers: 52). Additionally, participants who declared ‘other obstacles’ had the possibility to specify which obstacles they were referring to where these were not included in the list of options.

Percentage of different issues recognized in the area.

As described above, the third section relates mainly to soil management issues. Figure  5 represents the results for Question 9, ‘ Does your farm have any issues with soil management? If so , what are they ?’.

Figure  5 provides an overview of the soil-related challenges identified within the farms investigated. While many survey participants indicate a lack of significant soil management problems, the primary challenge in this regard is identified as soil erosion induced by water (17%), followed by soil erosion induced by wind (7%), and soil pollution from pesticides (2%) (total number of answers: 52). These findings may be attributed to the concentration of farms in flood-prone areas. The hydrogeological structure plan and water hazard map of the areas studied are provided in the supplementary material (see Supplementary Section C, Figure S1 ), to provide insights in addressing these concerns. Moreover, these results can be discussed in relation to the fact that many farms have implemented different strategies to mitigate soil erosion problems induced either by water or by wind, described through Question 11. Some have focused their efforts on water management, constructing or restoring channels. Others have opted for agricultural practices such as no-till farming or minimum tillage to reduce soil exposure to erosive forces. Similarly, some farms have built dry stone walls to delineate property boundaries, thereby helping prevent soil displacement and erosion into surrounding properties.

On the other hand, section four of the questionnaire discusses the water management challenges encountered by farmers on their own farms. Figure  5 illustrates the results for Question 14, ‘ Does your farm have any water management challenges? If so , what are they? ’.

As can be seen from the responses, the majority of participants demonstrated that they do not encounter many water management challenges. Among the challenges reported, drought stands out as the most prevalent (11%), followed by landslide (5%), waste disposal (4%), floods (4%), water salinity (4%), pesticide pollution (2%), and nutrient pollution (2%) (total number of answers: 52). In this case also, the results obtained can be discussed in the context of mitigation measures already adopted by farmers analyzed in Question 16. First, many farmers affected by drought have adopted different water management measures, including reduction of irrigation volumes and implementation of systems for rainwater harvesting such as cisterns or wells, to ensure greater availability of water resources during drought periods. On the other hand, farms that have to deal with flood-related hazards mainly pursue alternative strategies to avoid obstructing natural water flow paths. Conveying and land leveling have only been implemented in one case.

The primary focus of the proposed questionnaire is in section seven, which analyzes the assessment of stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the utility of NBSs, as outlined in the preceding section (Sect.  3.3 ). Questions 24 to 56 assess the participants’ perceptions about the utility 80 of each NBS measure analyzed in relation to its main objective (please refer to Supplementary Section A for descriptions of the NBSs and corresponding objectives, with ratings expressed using a 5-point scale, from (1) representing ‘not useful’ to (5) representing ‘extremely useful’ 81 , 82 , 83 .

Percentage of different soil ( a ) and water ( b ) issues recognized in the investigated farms.

Figure  6 illustrates the results obtained when the participants were asked to express their perceptions of the utility of NBS implementation in the agriculture context. Overall, the percentage distribution of responses indicates that the majority of stakeholders believe the 11 NBSs selected to be extremely useful in achieving the objective considered. Upon careful examination of the results, it is evident that retention ponds show the highest percentage (65%) of ‘extremely useful’ ratings (total number of answers: 52).

Moreover, the analysis highlights the fact that three other NBSs achieved significant consensus, with 60% of participants considering them extremely useful. These NBSs are crop residue management, cover crops, and biological agriculture. Conversely, the strip cropping measure received the lowest score in terms of extreme utility (27%) and 15% of participants rated this solution as not at all useful. However, the evaluation obtained for the utility of strip cropping is in line with the current situation regarding soil management issues. Specifically, soil erosion in the areas studied predominantly stems from fluvial floods rather than pluvial ones, as these regions also experience significant drought conditions.

Despite the fact that the level of utility of the different NBSs perceived by farmers is considerable, as shown in Fig.  6 , their attitude regarding the possibility of applying these measures on their own farms is quite different. This can be seen from an examination of the responses to the questions ‘Would you implement this measure on your farm?’ and ‘ Provide an explanation for your choice ’. In fact, considering the four NBSs deemed most useful (retention ponds, biological agriculture, cover crops and crop residue management), only 67% of all participants would apply retention ponds, compared to biological agriculture (86%, of which 71% already implement this practice), cover crops (73%, of which 26% already implement this practice), and crop residue management (71%, of which 38% already implement this practice) (total number of answers: 52).

Participants’ assessment of NBS utility to achieve the related objective.

Section 8 addresses the effect of NBSs in achieving various multidimensional objectives that have been selected from the study proposed by Ruangpan 1 according to their relevance within the specific NBS measures analyzed (please see Supplementary Section A). Specifically, the objectives considered are the following: (I) improvement of water quality, which refers to the overall capacity of NBS measures to remove pollutants within the water system; (II) environmental benefits, which encompass the ability of NBSs to contribute to ecological diversity, habitat creation for species, groundwater recharge, water reuse, and air quality; (III) enhancement of livability, which refers to the capacity of NBSs to enhance local aesthetics, pleasantness, with community acceptability, and low risk to public safety; (IV) economic advantages, which are related to the ability of NBSs to enable food or material production and the potential to generate energy savings; and (V) socio-cultural benefits, which include the capacity of NBSs to create educational spaces, foster community engagement, and provide recreational areas.

In this context, it is fundamental to underline the fact that the objective concerning the improvement of water quality has been addressed separately, in line with the focus of this study. The assessment of the relative importance of various NBSs in achieving the specified objective has been carried out through a quantitative approach, using a rating expressed on a 5-point scale, from not important at all (1) to extremely important (5).

Figure  7 represents the results for this section. As shown in the figure, the NBSs selected are recognized by the participants as extremely important in achieving the environmental benefits.

On the other hand, with regard to economic benefits, the percentage of participants who rated this objective as ‘extremely important’ is the lowest among the options, at 46%. This is followed by a significant proportion who rated them as ‘very important’ (25%) and ‘quite important’ (21%) (total number of answers: 52).

Participants’ assessment regarding the importance level of the selected NBSs in achieving several objectives.

On a regional scale, the results obtained showed that drought is the main issue encountered, based on the participants’ responses to Question 8, which discusses the main challenges in the area analyzed. This outcome is in line with the current situation in respect of the issue of drought in Southern Italy, as documented by Bollettino Italia (2023–2024). That report emphasizes the finding that the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for the period from July 2023 to December 2023 reached its peak value, indicating an extreme drought situation ( https://droughtcentral.it/bollettino-italia/bollettino-dicembre-2023/ ) 84 , 85

On the other hand, the responses provided by the farmers showed a lower impact of water and soil problems on individual farms, as shown in Fig. 5, which indicates that 64% and 72% of the participants did not experience water or soil problems, respectively. These findings reflect the specific challenges and priorities within the agricultural sector in the study area. The lower impact of soil management issues could be due to the widespread adoption of traditional practices, such as terracing and crop rotation, which have historically mitigated soil erosion 86 , 87 , 88 . On the contrary, water management remains a critical concern due to the regions’ vulnerability to drought and increasing water scarcity exacerbated by climate change 89 . This discrepancy highlights the need for targeted NBS interventions that address the most pressing issues, such as enhancing water use efficiency and developing drought-resistant crop varieties.

The analysis of the results revealed that retention ponds were attributed the highest percentage (65%) by survey participants (Fig.  6 ) who deemed them extremely useful. This can be justified by the fact that retention ponds play a crucial role in collecting water for future use by acting as reservoirs that capture and store rainwater or runoff. These ponds are strategically designed to retain stormwater, preventing it from immediately flowing off-site. Instead, the water collected is held within the pond, allowing it to slowly seep into the ground or be used for various purposes such as irrigation, replenishing groundwater, or other agricultural and industrial needs. By retaining water on-site, retention ponds help mitigate flooding, reduce erosion, and ensure a sustainable water supply, especially in areas with limited water resources or those prone to drought. The analysis also demonstrated that three other NBSs were also rated as extremely useful by a substantial percentage (60%) of stakeholders. The first of these was cover crops, which are aimed at cultivating protective plant cover between main crop cycles to shield the soil, enhance its structure, and encourage biodiversity, and were recognized very positively. In the transition from one crop to another, especially in the summer months where flash floods are an evident characteristic of Mediterranean areas, the soil is more subject to erosion by flash flood events if left uncovered. The study area is also mostly cultivated with wheat, which is harvested at the end of June/beginning of July, ensuring that the soil remains bare during the months most subject to these atmospheric events 90 . Cover crops in the Mediterranean region offer significant benefits. They control erosion and enhance soil fertility 91 , 92 , improve soil moisture retention 93 , reduce herbicide use through weed suppression 94 , and may enhance the soil microbial community by increasing mycorrhizal abundance, microbial biomass phosphorus, and phosphatase activity 95 . However, in dry agro-ecosystems, cover crops can lead to soil water content inconsistencies and potential yield reductions due to water depletion. Adaptation strategies include selecting appropriate cover crops, optimizing management practices, and integrating cover crops into cropping systems to maximize benefits and minimize trade-offs 96 . Another constraint of cover crops is the initial costs and management challenges 97 , and the need for technical knowledge 98 . Tradeoffs involve balancing short-term costs with long-term soil health benefits and managing water use efficiency and biodiversity with pest risks 99 . Economic incentives and policies can support adoption of these crops by mitigating financial constraints 98 . The second measure that was considered significant by participants is crop residue management, which targets the efficient and sustainable management of plant residues through minimum tillage or no-tillage practices to enhance soil fertility, diminish erosion, and foster soil health. Lastly, biological agriculture, emphasizing sustainable farming practices without the use of pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers while prioritizing biodiversity and soil health, also earned significant recognition. It is therefore clear that farmers showed an interest in those NBS measures that prioritize safeguarding and enhance biodiversity and soil health.

In the Mediterranean region, biological agriculture and no-tillage practices offer distinct approaches to sustainable agriculture, each with unique advantages and tradeoffs, particularly regarding chemical usage and pest management. Biological agriculture minimizes the use of synthetic chemicals and pesticides, relying on natural alternatives like compost and biological pest control, which enhances soil health and biodiversity but often results in lower yields and higher labor costs 100 , 101 , 102 . In contrast, no-tillage practices improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and enhance carbon sequestration, but typically depend on herbicides for weed control, potentially increasing chemical usage and posing long-term environmental risks 103 , 104 , 105 . The tradeoff between these methods involves balancing the reduced chemical usage and enhanced biodiversity of biological agriculture against the labor savings and immediate soil conservation benefits of no-tillage, despite its reliance on chemicals 106 . Therefore, while biological agriculture offers significant environmental benefits, no-tillage approaches provide economic advantages in the short term, with potential long-term soil health challenges due to chemical dependency. The different utility scores attributed by farmers for crop residue management (no/minimum tillage) and biological agriculture practices can be attributed to the fact that they all face different challenges on their own farms. Crop residue management, particularly no-tillage, is highly effective against soil erosion, making it essential for farms dealing with this issue to prevent soil loss. Conversely, farms with limited soil erosion problems often prefer biological agriculture. According to the questionnaire, most farms do not experience soil erosion (72%), so 86% of the farms analyzed would adopt biological agriculture (71% already practice it).

On the other hand, strip cropping practices achieved the lowest score in terms of extreme utility, with only 27% of participants rating this option as extremely useful, and 15% finding it not useful at all. Strip cropping has the objective of preventing soil erosion in hilly or sloping terrain using horizontal contour lines to slow rainwater runoff and allow it to infiltrate the soil. The evaluation of the value of strip cropping achieved in the questionnaire is in line with the current soil management challenges in this area, which shows more interest in problems associated with high drought levels. In fact, soil erosion in the areas analyzed is mainly due to the occurrence of fluvial flooding and not pluvial floods, based on the fact that these areas experience high drought levels. Those results are in line with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027, in which these NBSs are indicated as useful practices in accomplishing specific objectives in the Regional Complement for Rural Development (CRD) 2023–2027.

Table  1 illustrates the comparison of the average utility of the NBSs considered based on the stakeholders’ perspectives recognized through the questionnaire, with their average performance concerning the multidimensional impacts addressed by the NWRM platform ( http://nwrm.eu/catalogue-nwrm/benefit-tables ). In detail, the utility perceived by stakeholders was assessed according to a 5-point scale as illustrated previously (Sect.  3.3 ), and the average utility represents the average value obtained from the stakeholders’ answers. On the other hand, the NWRM platform also uses a 5-point scale, from (1) negative to (5) high (positive), to assess the performance of different NBSs concerning different impacts. Therefore, as both scales are 5-point scales, the different scores can be comparatively discussed.

The comparison between the results obtained by this survey and the NWRM platform findings is crucial in viewing these results in the context of the general theme of NBSs adoption and implementation in the agricultural sector. By benchmarking the proposed survey against the NWRM platform outcomes, it is possible to address whether the public perception of NBS measures is aligned with the practical evidence of their effectiveness and challenges obtained by the NWRM platform. This comparison is significant and useful, as it makes it possible to identify potential discrepancies between perceived and actual effectiveness, thus providing valuable insights for refining communication strategies and informing policy adjustments.

Before going through the discussion and comparison of the obtained results, it is of importance to clarify that (I) biobeds and (II) biological agriculture measures have not been considered in this analysis, as they are not considered in the NWRM list of measures. However, both have been included in the questionnaire submitted to farmers, since both are considered of major importance as NBS measures in mitigating soil and water pollution resulting from chemicals and the adoption of sustainable farming practices free from pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers while prioritizing biodiversity and soil health.

If we examine Table  1 , we can see clearly that most of the NBSs considered show the same score for average utility and NWRM average performance. These NBSs are wetlands, bioswales, terraces, vegetated buffer strips, crop residue management, and cover crops. These NBSs achieved a score of 4 (very useful) for their average utility, reflecting their high value from the farmers’ perspective. Meanwhile, their overall performance has been rated as medium on the NWRM evaluation scale. This demonstrates that farmers’ perceptions of NBSs impacts are consistent with the recognized and evaluated benefits.

On the other hand, there some results show notable differences. Strip cropping and agroforestry exhibit lower average utility compared to their assessed performance, whereas retention ponds display higher average utility than their evaluated performance on the NWRM platform scale. These results can be attributed to various factors uncovered through open-ended questions.

Regarding the agroforestry measure, it has become evident that farmers are unlikely to adopt this option easily. This reluctance may stem from the fact that agroforestry is subject to several constraints and requires careful tradeoff analysis, particularly concerning socio-economic, ecological, and technical factors. Socio-economic challenges include insecure land tenure, limited market access, and high initial costs 107 , 108 , 109 . Ecologically, site-specific conditions and biodiversity concerns require meticulous management 110 , 111 . On the technical side, farmers often lack the necessary knowledge and support services 112 , 113 . Economically, while agroforestry offers long-term benefits, short-term financial returns can be limited, necessitating a balance between immediate income needs and sustainability 114 , 115 . Investment in ecosystem services and robust value chains, along with economic incentives like subsidies and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), are crucial for adoption of measures of this kind 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 . The absence of economic compensation for community benefits derived from agroforestry further reduces its perceived utility among farmers. The available economic tools, such as the Regional Rural Development Programme (PSR) at regional level and the PES at national level, could play a fundamental role in providing adequate financial support and facilitate the adoption and implementation of this practice 90 , 120 . Addressing these constraints and leveraging tradeoffs can optimize agroforestry’s potential as a sustainable agricultural practice.

The strip cropping measure also was not rated as highly useful by participants. This result could be due to the fact that the area analyzed is characterized by flat terrain that diminishes the effectiveness of this measure. On the other hand, the average utility rating for retention ponds was higher than their evaluated performance by the NWRM. This divergence can be explained by farmers’ proactive measures to address water scarcity issues. Many participants have implemented rainwater harvesting interventions like cisterns or wells to bolster water resource availability during drought periods. Consequently, retention ponds are perceived as highly valuable NBSs for mitigating water-related challenges, surpassing the assessed NWRM performance metrics.

In conclusion, while some NBSs show alignment between perceived utility and NWRM assessed performance, disparities exist, driven by factors such as topography and economic considerations. Understanding these nuances is crucial for optimizing NBS implementation strategies and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

Following on from the discussion of the results obtained from stakeholders’ evaluations of the effectiveness of individual NBSs, it is essential to analyze their perspective regarding the role of NBSs in achieving various objectives. As shown in Fig.  7 , the findings show that the NBSs selected are perceived by participants as crucial for attaining environmental benefits. This response may be attributed to the ongoing discussions and evaluations of NBSs in both academic and policy spheres, particularly regarding their environmental advantages, which have fostered a shared understanding of this topic. However, concerning economic benefits, the viewpoint of the farmers underscores the inadequate level of evaluation and communication in terms of the economic advantages of implementing NBSs. This observation is consistent with discussions found in the literature 28 , 29 . This lack of economic evaluation of benefits implies a gap in common knowledge and consciousness of the potential for achieving economic benefits through NBS implementation. Moving on to another objective, which emphasizes the importance of livability enhancement metrics, it is noteworthy that this aspect received considerable attention from participants during the evaluation process. Constituting 60% of their overall scores, it emerged as a pivotal indicator of the objectives of NBS application. It is likely that this heightened interest arises from the significant positive impacts that certain NBSs, such as wetlands and retention ponds, could have on human well-being. These green areas not only promote improved mental well-being and reduced chronic stress but also play a crucial role in combating the heat island effect and enhancing air quality 37 , 121 .

The improvement of the water quality indicator garnered slightly more than half (54%) of the participants’ scores as one of the significantly important primary objectives in NBS application. Many proposed NBS measures (such as retention ponds, vegetated buffer strips, and cover crops) demonstrate promising potential in enhancing water quality by acting as sediment and chemical traps, thereby preventing the transport of these substances from agricultural landscapes and subsequent pollution of watercourses. This finding aligns with a similar study by Alves 122 , where water quality improvement was ranked as the second most important benefit when participants were asked to compare a range of environmental benefits. Socio-cultural benefits also received substantial weighting (60%) from stakeholders due to their role in establishing educational spaces and providing recreational areas conducive to moments of leisure and community gathering.

Based on the results obtained, efforts are being made to find confirmation in national-level applications. One example is the case of the Lamone River basin in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy), known for its significant seasonal variability in flow and water availability, which is particularly relevant in the agricultural context. In this area, characterized by considerable reliance on irrigation for agricultural production, water retention ponds are systematically applied. These ponds serve the purpose of storing water during winter periods, thereby ensuring its availability during dry seasons. The presence of such structures plays a strategic role in preserving water availability for irrigation while also contributing to maintaining a minimum flow in the surrounding river environment 123 . Within the scope of agricultural practices aimed at managing soil erosion and improving land microtopography, cover crops have been introduced as a promising solution. In a case study conducted in vineyards located in the northwestern regions of Italy, the effectiveness of cover crops in improving soil surface roughness (SSR) and reducing erosion was examined. The results demonstrated that the use of cover crops significantly improved soil surface roughness and reduced soil erosion in the vineyards. Specifically, the model’s performance in predicting soil losses improved using spatialized soil roughness input data compared to a uniform applied value 124 .

With regard to crop residue management, the introduction of zero-tillage practices with residue retention in field crops represents an important alternative technique to counteract resource degradation and reduce production costs in intensive agriculture 90 , 125 . In a study conducted in the Campania region in Southern Italy, a methodology based on the ARMOSA crop model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of tillage and no-tillage practices in durum wheat cultivation systems. The study supports the potential of the ARMOSA model in assessing and designing soil management practices suitable for current and future climatic conditions within the context of Italian agriculture 126 . In terms of agricultural NBSs in Italy, the distribution of case studies on nature-based water resources management within the NWRM platform is diverse and covers various sectors such as hydro-morphological, forestry, urban, and agricultural. However, there is a limited number of applications in agricultural environments, as highlighted by the scarcity of case studies in this category 11 .

Analysis of NWRM case studies ( https://lc.cx/S6KvCs ) in agriculture in Italy reveals only four case studies: (I) Traditional terracing in Veneto: aimed at the recovery and maintenance of cultural and historical terraces by promoting new agricultural activities, such as the creation of vegetable gardens. This initiative aims to combine social and economic objectives with the preservation of infrastructure to prevent hydrogeological disasters; (II) Reforestation in Veneto: this study responds to the need for increased groundwater recharge and water purification in areas previously used for intensive agriculture. Payment for ecosystem services (PES) systems play a crucial role in incentivizing landowners to participate in reforestation efforts. (III) River restoration of the Lower Aurino: this project implements river restoration interventions to enhance flood protection and improve the natural environment. Community engagement and stakeholder involvement are crucial for successful implementation; (IV) Effluent network restructuring: this study aims to reduce nutrient pollution reaching the Venice Lagoon through phytoremediation and to mitigate flooding problems caused by urban development. Measures include riparian buffer zones, wetland creation, and canal naturalization.

With regard to the dissemination of NBSs related to drought and soil erosion risks, the GeoIKP operandum project ( https://geoikp.operandum-project.eu ) has been considered. The primary objective of this project was to demonstrate and adopt NBSs to mitigate hydro-meteorological risks. However, a review of the case studies present in the project highlights a considerable disparity in results observed when different search filters are applied. Specifically, the use of the ‘agricultural drought’ filter generates only eight results worldwide, while applying the ‘soil erosion’ and ‘soil management and soil quality’ filters yields a total of 51 results on a global scale, out of a total of 677 cases examined by the project. GeoIKP Operandum project categorizes NBSs under five main risk categories: (I) fire hazard (II) meteorological/climatological hazards; (III) geological/hydrological hazards; (IV) environmental hazards; and (V) other hazard categories. In Italy, there are 26 NBSs, with three located in Apulia: (I) coastal lagoon and dune restoration in the Sipontine wetlands in Manfredonia; (II) restoration of intermittent rivers for flooding management in Bari; and (III) greening of the city to reduce flood and heat wave risk in Bari.

Additionally, GeoIKP considers the evaluation of the score for UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which serves as an indicator of the results achieved by each country in relation to the SDGs. This measurement reflects a synthesis of global results reported by each nation by the end of 2020, encompassing all outlined objectives. In particular, Italy falls within a score range of 70 to 80, compared to the maximum score of > 80, indicating satisfactory but not excellent performance in achieving sustainable development goals.

The current study highlights stakeholders’ perceptions regarding the importance of different objectives associated with NBS implementation, aligning with SDGs. Environmental benefits were considered highly important, emphasizing the role of NBSs in achieving Goal 13: Climate action through the implementation of a wetlands and agroforestry system that could enhance ecological restoration and recovery of ecosystem services. Additionally, NBSs contribute to Goal 2: Zero hunger by mitigating drought and hydrogeological instability, favoring agricultural production and thereby reducing hunger and ensuring food security. They also support Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation, by promoting the sustainable management of water resources through prevention NBS measures that consider biological agriculture, emphasizing sustainable farming practices free from pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers, and then curative measures by adopting NBSs (bio-beds, retention ponds vegetated buffer strips) that contribute effectively as sediment and chemicals traps to prevent the transport of these substances into water courses, improving water quality, and preserving water ecosystems. Ultimately, NBSs are directly linked to Goal 15: Life on earth, as they contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems through practices such as agroforestry and sustainable forest management.

Overall, our research contributes to the growing body of literature on NBS implementation in agriculture, providing valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. By aligning stakeholders’ perceptions with evaluated benefits, our study offers practical implications for optimizing NBS interventions and fostering resilience in agricultural systems.

This study is a pioneering effort to assess farmers’ perceptions of NBSs in agriculture, focusing on the regions of Basilicata and Apulia in Southern Italy. Through a detailed questionnaire-based approach, 52 valid responses were gathered, offering a representative sample. The findings highlight the primary challenges faced by farmers, with drought being the most significant, followed by floods, water pollution, landslides, and soil erosion due to water. Retention ponds were deemed highly useful, followed by crop residue management, cover crops, and biological agriculture. Conversely, strip cropping received lower utility ratings, reflecting its limited applicability in certain terrains. The study underscores the necessity of stakeholder collaboration, innovative funding mechanisms, and community engagement for successful NBSs implementation. Stakeholders perceived the environmental benefits of NBSs as highly important, while economic benefits were rated lower, suggesting a need for better economic evaluation and communication. The significant knowledge gap among farmers that emerged from the results calls for increased workshops, field events, and testimonial events to enhance understanding of NBSs’ benefits and tradeoffs. Unlike previous theoretical studies reported in the literature, this research engages local stakeholders, assessing their perceptions and willingness to implement NBSs, thus addressing practical constraints and economic considerations at local level in a manner consistent with other studies that emphasize the importance of stakeholder engagement and local adaptation for the successful implementation of NBSs.

However, it is important to acknowledge some limitations of the proposed study, such as the relatively small sample size of stakeholders involved, which may limit the upscaling of the findings. Additionally, the reliance on stakeholders’ perceptions alone may introduce bias and subjective interpretations. Future improvements could include comprehensive economic analyses and comparative studies across different regions to assess NBS transferability and scalability. Lastly, the study recommends that policymakers promote awareness and education through public campaigns and training programs, introduce financial incentives such as subsidies and tax breaks, and facilitate collaboration through stakeholder networks and public-private partnerships. Continuous research and monitoring should be supported to evaluate NBS effectiveness, and integrating NBSs into existing policies with local adaptation plans will help prioritize these solutions. Addressing barriers through technical assistance and infrastructure support will further aid in the implementation of sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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This study was carried out within the Agritech National Research Center and received funding from the European Union Next-Generation EU (PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR)—MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.4—D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022) and the PRIN project “Soil Conservation for sustainable AgricuLture in the framework of the European green deal” (SCALE) and received funding from the European Union Next- GenerationEU (National Recovery and Resilience Plan - NRPP, M4.C2.1.1., project 2022PB2NSP. This manuscript reflects only the authors’ views and opinions, neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be considered responsible for them.

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A.M. Netti: methodology, visualization, investigation, data curation, writing—original draft, conceptualization, writing- review and editing. O.M.M. Abdelwahab: methodology, investigation, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing, conceptualization. G. Datola: methodology, writing—original draft, conceptualization, writing— review and editing. G.F. Ricci: methodology, conceptualization, writing-review and editing, supervision. P. Damiani: investigation, data curation. A. Oppio: supervision, validation. F. Gentile: conceptualization, supervision, writing—review and editing, project administration.

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Netti, A.M., Abdelwahab, O.M., Datola, G. et al. Assessment of nature-based solutions for water resource management in agricultural environments: a stakeholders’ perspective in Southern Italy. Sci Rep 14 , 24668 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76346-5

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