Sustainable development is an integrated blend of energetic, economic, social, environmental, and governmental actors, making it one of the most challenging and subjective aims of the United Nations. A sustainability project that does not consider any of these parameters can generate resistance among different actors of society. In this work, we have demonstrated that the traditional definition of sustainability encompassing economic development, environmental protection, and social justice does not adequately cover large-scale renewable energy projects. We have presented an illuminating case study of solar development in the Yucatan state of Mexico to show that the traditional three-legged stool of sustainable development fails to accommodate local power relations and their role in energy decision-making. This point is made through a substantive and illuminating ethnography of a solar project in the community of San José Tipceh, which involves the importance of energy democracy and understanding power relations in any assessment of sustainable development. These power relations are an important component of sustainable development, and all megaprojects, especially renewable energy projects, require special attention in the governance processes. Through an analysis of an example of implementation of a mega solar project, we argue that the methodology through which the power is exercised is an exercise of great importance because it leads us to a scientific discussion that structures an international reflection on sustainability. The case study consists of mixed methods, including several techniques to deepen the analysis of sociocultural aspects, and tries to present the limits and show the weakness of the sustainability perspective in such megaprojects. It is concluded that environmental justice as a basic element of the new era of renewable energies is limited and can generate social injustices. In the same way, this work shows how power is exercised in the implementation of energy projects and in the absence of equitable comprehensive governance that does not consider the local sociocultural contexts of the communities, resulting in the generation of new powers and permanent conflicts. At the end of this work, a framework to empower local sociocultural contexts for an equitable energy transition is recommended.

Biased socio-environmental policies often result in social resistance among the less well-off, hence hindering the effectiveness of such policies. The present research investigated the implications of the plastic bags ban in Morocco implemented in July 2016 and how it differentially impacted formal and informal sector workers including customers of informal economy markets. While formal markets succeeded in implementing the ban given the affordability of alternatives to plastic compared to their customers living standards, the informal markets vendors and customers not only could not afford these alternatives but also suffered from impoverishing effects of such policy as the findings of our research show. The paper concludes that the effectiveness of environmental policies relies heavily on their implementation within a wider framework addressing socio-economic inequalities and poverty among the informal sector workers especially in countries where the latter constitute a large proportion of the national economy.

Objective: to illustrate the exercise of power and its counterweights among the actors involved —the company promoting the project, the federal government and the community members, especially the ejido members— during the implementation of a renewable energy megaproject in the Mayan community of San José Tipceh, Muna, Yucatán. Methodology: a multi-focal and multi-technical ethnography was carried out throughout six months, gathering the testimony of various participants: key figures in the community, ejido members with agrarian rights and residents who did not form the ejidal nucleus. Results: the issue of ejido lands was devalued and managed behind the community's back until the federal government intervened to apply the corresponding law. The legal process led to the defense of the environment and the empowerment of community residents. Limitations: since each implementation experience involves different variants and nuances, it is necessary to say that the analyzed case is not a representative sample. Value: the case of San José Tipceh allows understanding the benefits and limitations of the Mexican energy transition at a local scale. Conclusions: there is a need of sustainable implementation for this type of projects taking into account the wellbeing of the actors involved and that they should be in an equal position of power.

This research work presents a comprehensive methodology based on a social, technical, and economic evaluation study of a proposal educational services center in the Dominican Republic. For this purpose, a social survey, a technical assessment and an economic were considereded and integrated with a multi-objective optimization analysis for the best decision making. The obtained results revealed that 98% of the respondents agreed with the implementation of the center, and the technical study determined that an initial investment of $ 31,200 USD is required. Moreover, the economic feasibility assessment indicated that an average bank loan percentage of 5.72 ± 0.28% was the value where the initial investment is required, and the net present value are optimized. Also, the internal rate of the return value was 41.15%, the value of the payback period was 2.92 years, and the rate of investment and profitability index values were 63.18% and 1.62, respectively, which indicated that the project is highly viable since long-term economic benefits are obtained. Therefore, the comprehensive methodology presented in this work represents a valuable procedure for the best decision-making since it considers a holistic approach. Finally, this methodology can be used for its implementation in various frameworks as a plan for different investment projects in the educational, social, and health sectors in the Dominican Republic, and the obtained results demonstrated the acceptance and feasibility of the project within a local context for its integration and proliferation in the economic development of the country.

The increasing need for electrical and electronic devices, particularly solar panels, has resulted in a significant increase in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), which presents inherent hazards to both human well-being and the environment if not properly handled. Efficient laws and governmental bodies play a crucial role in tackling and reducing difficulties related to WEEE. WEEE generation rates are increasing globally although the regulations and management of this waste are not keeping pace with these increases in many countries. WEEE-related legislation coverage prevents negative impacts on human health, the environment, and ecosystems. Therefore, this study explains the deficiencies in Mexican legislation on WEEE and lays the groundwork for future initiatives to establish or improve regulation in this area. To this end, the study examines the existence and content of legislation on WEEE issues and identifies the measures enacted in the 32 states of Mexico. In addition, the study compares the existence of WEEE regulations against the production and distribution examples of certain EEE by state. In Mexico, current laws classify WEEE as waste requiring certain management procedures without specifically designating them as hazardous, despite their characteristics. Furthermore, states with a high presence of EEE lack regulations on the subject.